MANET Mesh Zone Allocation in PMP Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems struggle to enable coexistence of Point to Multi-Point (PMP) and Mobile Ad-Hoc (MANET) protocols on the same wireless network without causing interference, particularly in networks following IEEE 802.16 or WiMAX standards.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows PMP network nodes to participate in MANET communications by transmitting downlink and uplink signals with scheduled time periods, allocating a MANET/mesh zone in the signal maps to reserve time slots and channels for MANET protocol use, while using dual MAC components and physical layers to manage both PMP and MANET protocols, ensuring no interference with PMP communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If PMP and MANET protocols operate on the same wireless channel simultaneously, then network versatility and adaptability are improved, but interference between protocols occurs causing communication reliability to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless communication channel into distinct time slots, with specific slots allocated for PMP protocol operations and other slots for MANET protocol operations. This temporal segmentation allows both protocols to share the same frequency channel without interfering with each other, thereby maintaining communication reliability while achieving protocol versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic protocol selection and switching mechanisms that allow the wireless system to adaptively choose between PMP and MANET protocols based on current network conditions, traffic requirements, and node mobility patterns. This dynamic approach enables the system to optimize performance for each protocol while maintaining overall reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single wireless network supports multiple protocol sets, then network adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs wireless communication nodes with multi-functional capabilities that can operate under both PMP and MANET protocol sets. The nodes incorporate universal interface components and networking layers that can handle multiple protocol types, allowing a single device to perform diverse protocol functions without requiring separate specialized hardware for each protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components such as protocol translation layers and coordination mechanisms that mediate between different protocol sets. These intermediaries enable seamless interaction between PMP and MANET protocols by translating messages, coordinating resource allocation, and managing protocol state transitions, thereby reducing the complexity burden on individual nodes
3Adaptability or versatility
If MANET nodes are integrated into PMP network, then network connectivity and coverage are improved, but coordination difficulty and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs intermediary coordination mechanisms that facilitate interaction between MANET nodes and the PMP network infrastructure. These intermediaries include protocol translation layers and coordination protocols that enable MANET nodes to participate in PMP network operations while maintaining their autonomous MANET capabilities, thereby managing coordination complexity through structured mediation
Data Source
AI summary
Member nodes of a wireless point-to-multipoint (PMP) network may participate in mobile ad hoc (MANET) or mesh communications with other nodes on the same channels used by the network for PMP communications. A PMP network base station node transmits a downlink signal defining a downlink map for scheduling first time periods for transmitting messages to subscriber station nodes, and an uplink map for scheduling second time periods allowing a subscriber station node to transmit messages to the base station node in a scheduled second time period. A MANET/mesh zone is allocated in either or both the downlink and the uplink maps, each zone operating to reserve one or more time slots and channels in which the base station and other nodes may communicate using a MANET/mesh protocol, thus avoiding interference with communications that are being conducted between the base and the subscriber station nodes under the PMP protocol.