Maritime Sensor Routing via Adaptive Clustering and Predictive Forwarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing routing methods for maritime search and rescue wireless sensor networks (MSR-WSNs) face challenges such as limited energy, dynamic network topology, and unstable communication links due to the complex and changing offshore environment, leading to inefficiencies and reliability issues in data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A high-reliability and high-robustness routing method is proposed for MSR-WSNs, which includes adaptive clustering of nodes, predictive calculation of data packet advance distances using adaptive filtering, and a reliable response mechanism to ensure efficient and reliable data transmission in dynamic maritime environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nodes are deployed on the sea with limited energy and non-rechargeable batteries, then the network can be established in harsh maritime environments, but the energy consumption becomes a critical constraint affecting routing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidnode energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The routing protocol dynamically adapts to changing network conditions by continuously monitoring node energy levels, positions, and communication states. The protocol adjusts routing decisions in real-time based on current network topology and energy constraints, allowing the system to maintain reliable data transmission while optimizing energy consumption patterns across the network

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The routing protocol changes key parameters such as routing path selection, transmission power levels, and node activation states based on energy availability and network conditions. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system achieves reliable data transmission while adapting to the limited energy resources of maritime sensor nodes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If nodes drift randomly under wind waves and currents, then the network can cover larger maritime areas, but the network topology becomes highly dynamic causing adverse effects on communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidnetwork topology stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The routing protocol is specifically designed to handle highly dynamic network topologies by continuously tracking node positions and communication states. It adapts routing paths in real-time as nodes drift due to wind, waves, and currents, maintaining stable communication despite the changing network composition and ensuring reliable data transmission across expanding coverage areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the network topology changes dynamically due to node movement, then the network can adapt to maritime environmental conditions, but the real-time dynamic changes adversely affect communication among nodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork adaptability to maritime environmentVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The routing protocol incorporates continuous feedback mechanisms where nodes monitor and report their positions, energy levels, and communication states to the network. This feedback enables the routing protocol to dynamically adjust paths and maintain reliable communication despite the adaptive changes in network topology caused by maritime environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of manufacture

If existing routing methods are used based on terrestrial or underwater networks, then implementation is straightforward, but they fail to consider node mobility and unstable communication links in maritime search and rescue environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting method implementation easeVSAvoiddata transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The routing protocol segments the maritime sensor network into functional components including position tracking modules, energy monitoring modules, and adaptive routing decision modules. This segmentation allows the system to address the unique challenges of node mobility and unstable communication links while maintaining implementation feasibility through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250097684A1High-reliability and high-robustness routing method for maritime search and rescue wireless sensor networks

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 SHANGHAI MARITIME UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A high-reliability and high-robustness routing method for MSR-WSNs is provided, including: S1: generating an initial dynamic topological structure of MSR-WSNs; S2: determining a cluster head node for any maritime search and rescue node, and joining a corresponding cluster to obtain a set of clusters; S3: calculating a predicted forward distance of a maritime search and rescue data packet of a target node; S4: calculating the correct reception rate among nodes under the communication link of the maritime search and rescue environment; S5: calculating and sorting the priority of each relay node from high to low according to the priority; S6: when carrying out the task of forwarding maritime search and rescue data packets, the target nodes select the candidate relay nodes in turn and combined with the reliable response mechanism to forward until the maritime search and rescue data packets are successfully received by search and rescue ship.