Periodic Synchronization Beacons for Mesh Network Link Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mesh networks face challenges in maintaining reliable bidirectional link quality and managing power consumption, especially in battery-powered devices, due to dynamic radio frequency link conditions and interference, which affects data transmission and battery life.
Innovation Solution
Implementing periodic synchronization beacons that include link quality information, allowing nodes to record and retransmit this information to establish bidirectional link quality tables, enabling intelligent routing and reducing power consumption by minimizing unnecessary transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If periodic synchronization beacons with link quality information are transmitted frequently to maintain reliable bidirectional link quality assessment, then link quality monitoring accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic synchronization beacons transmitted at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. Nodes wake up at specific times to transmit and receive beacons containing link quality information, allowing accurate bidirectional link quality assessment while minimizing radio transmissions to extend battery life in mobile ad hoc networks
2Reliability
If bidirectional link quality information is collected and recorded for all neighboring nodes, then routing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments link quality information by maintaining separate bidirectional link quality tables for different neighboring nodes. Each table stores specific link quality metrics for individual node pairs, allowing comprehensive routing reliability assessment while organizing data in a manageable, structured format that reduces processing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization beacon acts as an intermediary carrier that transports link quality information between nodes. By embedding link quality metrics within periodic beacons rather than using separate dedicated measurement protocols, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining comprehensive bidirectional link quality monitoring for reliable routing decisions
Data Source
AI summary
Wireless mesh network nodes in a mesh network are operable to receive a periodic beacon from at least one other mesh network node, where the received beacon comprises received beacon link quality information for the at least one other mesh network node. The nodes are further operable to record the sender identity and link quality of the received periodic beacon, record the received beacon link quality information in the beacon from the wireless mesh network node to the at least one other mesh network node, and retransmit a received periodic beacon to other network nodes, the retransmitted beacon comprising link quality information for beacons received in the wireless mesh network node.