Mesh Forwarding Flag for Latency Reduction in Wireless Mesh Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless mesh networks, the process of decryption and re-encryption at each hop between a mesh-enabled access point (MAP) and a mesh portal introduces significant latency, which can be avoided by determining if a packet is destined for a mesh portal and skipping unnecessary encryption processes.
Innovation Solution
A mesh-enabled access point determines the destination of a packet and sets a mesh forwarding flag if it is destined for a mesh portal, allowing it to forward the packet without decryption or re-encryption, using an encryption key corresponding to the mesh portal only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If decryption and re-encryption is performed at each hop between MAP and mesh portal, then security is maintained, but latency increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the encryption/decryption operation from the packet forwarding process at intermediate MAPs. By using a mesh forwarding flag to identify packets destined for a mesh portal, the system removes the unnecessary decryption/re-encryption steps at intermediate nodes, keeping only the essential routing function while maintaining security through selective encryption only at the source and final destination.
2Reliability
If encryption key processing is performed at each intermediate MAP, then packet security is ensured, but communication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making encryption processing location-dependent. Packets with the mesh forwarding flag set are encrypted only at the source MAP and not decrypted at intermediate MAPs, while packets without the flag undergo traditional decryption at each hop. This localized approach to encryption maintains security where needed while eliminating unnecessary processing elsewhere, thereby improving overall communication efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional multi-hop routing with decryption at each hop is used, then routing flexibility is maintained, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by setting the mesh forwarding flag at the source MAP before the packet enters the multi-hop network. This pre-marking allows intermediate MAPs to immediately recognize and bypass decryption processing without needing to analyze packet contents or make routing decisions about encryption, thereby reducing processing overhead while maintaining routing flexibility through the flag-based identification system.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are provided for processing a packet received by a mesh-enabled access point (MAP). When a first MAP receives a packet it can determine whether the packet is destined for a mesh portal based on the destination address. If so, the first MAP can retrieve an encryption key corresponding to the mesh portal, use the encryption key to encrypt the packet and set a mesh forwarding flag in the packet to indicate that the packet is destined for a mesh portal, and is encrypted with an encryption key corresponding to the mesh portal, and then forward the packet to the next hop MAP towards the a mesh portal. The mesh forwarding flag indicates that the packet is destined for a mesh portal, is encrypted with an encryption key corresponding to the mesh portal, and is to be forwarded to the next hop MAP without performing decryption/re-encryption processing on the packet. When a MAP receives a packet, the first MAP it determines whether a mesh forwarding flag is set in the packet. When the mesh forwarding flag is set in the packet, the first MAP skips decryption/re-encryption processing of the packet, and forwards the packet to the next hop MAP towards the mesh portal. When the mesh forwarding flag is not set in the packet, the first MAP retrieves an encryption key corresponding to the mesh portal, encrypts the packet using the encryption key, sets a mesh forwarding flag in the packet and forwards the packet to the next hop MAP.