Autonomous Link Cost Determination in Mesh Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mesh communication networks, especially those following the G3-PLC standard, determining the cost of links between nodes is challenging due to asymmetrical signal-to-noise ratios caused by interference, which requires a method to autonomously select the appropriate operating mode for accurate link cost calculation without manual configuration or causing network congestion.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a first electronic device receiving a message to determine a route, measuring the reception quality, and autonomously selecting an operating mode to either estimate or actively determine the link cost based on criteria such as transmission errors and reception quality, allowing dynamic configuration of nodes to activate the RLC process only when necessary, reducing congestion and enabling accurate link cost calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the RLC process is activated for all nodes to accurately determine indirect link costs, then the precision of link cost calculation is improved, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling the RLC process selectively at specific nodes rather than uniformly across all nodes. The concentrator node is configured to execute the RLC process to determine indirect link costs, while other nodes use simplified direct cost measurements. This localized approach maintains measurement precision where needed (at the concentrator) while avoiding the network congestion that would result from all nodes performing the same measurements.
2Ease of operation
If manual configuration is used to set operating modes for link cost determination, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling nodes to autonomously determine their operating mode based on their role in the network. The concentrator automatically executes the RLC process to determine indirect link costs, while other nodes automatically use direct cost measurements. This eliminates the need for manual configuration of operating modes, reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation through automated role-based behavior.
3Productivity
If the RLC process is deactivated to reduce network congestion, then network throughput is improved, but the precision of link cost determination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality - concentrating the precise but resource-intensive RLC process at the concentrator node where it is most needed for routing decisions. Other nodes perform simpler direct cost measurements. This distribution maintains overall measurement precision for route determination while minimizing network congestion, as only the concentrator generates RLC process traffic.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for determining the cost of a link between a first and a second node of a mesh communication network, the first node comprising, associated with the second node, a first and a second mode of operation, the method being executed by the first node and comprising the steps of receiving from the second node a route determination message, determining a direct cost of the link as a function of a measurement of the reception quality of the first message, determining the mode of operation of the first node associated with the second node, and, when the first node is in the first mode of operation, then executing a method for estimating the indirect cost of the link, the method being characterized in that it comprises a step of selecting the mode of operation associated with the second node, said selection step being executed autonomously.