Mesh Network Backup Link Selection for Low Power Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless networks face challenges such as high power consumption and link unavailability, particularly in battery-powered devices, necessitating the development of methods for establishing low-power and reliable alternative communication links.
Innovation Solution
A telecommunications device can establish a low-power communication link with network nodes that act as routers, allowing it to communicate with a gateway through a mesh network, using a flooding algorithm and packet routing history to select a backup link based on criteria like cost, power, and network membership, potentially involving foreign networks for increased reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct high-power wireless links are used for communication, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication path into multiple hops through mesh network nodes, breaking down the single high-power direct link into several lower-power incremental transmissions. Each node acts as an intermediate relay, dividing the communication journey into manageable segments that consume less energy per hop while maintaining end-to-end reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mesh network nodes as intermediary elements between the telecommunications device and the gateway. These intermediary nodes relay communications, allowing the device to achieve gateway connectivity through multiple low-power hops rather than relying on a single high-power direct link, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.
2Reliability
If alternative communication links are established, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by proactively establishing backup communication links before primary links fail. The system pre-configures alternative paths through the mesh network, so when a link becomes unavailable, the device can immediately switch to a pre-established backup link without complex real-time decision-making, thereby maintaining reliability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where network nodes monitor link availability and communicate status information back to the telecommunications device. This feedback enables automatic link switching based on real-time network conditions, improving reliability through adaptive link selection while keeping device complexity manageable through automated rather than manual control.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods of telecommunicating and systems configured to perform the methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include establishing a primary communications link, determining that a backup communications link is to be established, and determining a plurality of candidate network nodes. The method also includes selecting one of the candidate network nodes with which to establish the backup communications link, where the selected candidate network node is selected based at least in part on the selected candidate network node being in a foreign network, establishing the backup communications link with a selected candidate network node, and communicating using the backup communications link.