Mesh Network Channel Access via Scheduled Reservations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mesh network technologies face challenges in coordinating and minimizing interference among devices, particularly when devices are out of range or transmitting short-duration frames, leading to inefficiencies and increased interference.
Innovation Solution
A method for mesh devices to access the wireless channel during reserved periods, utilizing a scheduled mesh access mechanism that includes transmission and retransmission procedures to reduce interfering transmissions, with a scheduled access buffer, quality of service-enabled channel access, and a scheduler to manage reservations and contention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If RTS and CTS control signals are exchanged between transmitter and receiver, then channel access coordination is improved, but transmission time increases and interference vulnerability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RTS/CTS handshake mechanism from the transmission process for short-duration frames, allowing direct transmission without the full coordination sequence. This removes the time-consuming control signal exchange while maintaining channel access coordination for longer transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing selective RTS/CTS usage - only for frames exceeding a duration threshold. For shorter frames, the full coordination mechanism is omitted, achieving time efficiency while maintaining adequate channel access coordination where needed.
2Ease of operation
If RTS and CTS control signals are exchanged, then channel access coordination is improved, but interference susceptibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the RTS/CTS control signal exchange from the transmission process for short frames, eliminating the vulnerability to interference during control signal transmission while maintaining direct data frame transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements selective coordination - applying RTS/CTS only when frame duration exceeds a threshold. This partial application reduces overall interference susceptibility by minimizing control signal exchanges while maintaining coordination when transmission duration warrants it.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mesh devices transmit outside reserved periods, then transmission flexibility is improved, but interfering transmissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmission scheduling where devices can transmit outside reserved periods when the channel is clear and no other devices have reservations. This creates a flexible system that adapts to real-time channel conditions, allowing opportunistic transmissions without causing interference to scheduled communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses reservation advertisement mechanisms where devices broadcast their reserved periods to neighbors. This feedback system allows devices to make informed decisions about when to transmit outside reservations, checking against advertised reservation information to avoid interfering with scheduled transmissions.
4Measurement precision
If routing information is periodically broadcast, then routing accuracy is improved, but information transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements on-demand routing information exchange instead of periodic broadcasting. Routing information is exchanged only when needed for specific transmissions, reducing the overall quantity of routing information transmitted while maintaining accuracy for active routes through targeted updates.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of communicating within a mesh network comprises scheduling a mesh access reservation time period for transmission of one or more frames by the mesh device on a channel. During the scheduled mesh access reservation time period: contention for the channel is performed with one or more other mesh devices in the network; and at least one frame is transmitted when the mesh device wins the contention. After the scheduled mesh access reservation time period: when one or more frames scheduled for transmission during the scheduled mesh access reservation time period remain to be transmitted; contention for the channel continues; and the one or more frames are transmitted when the mesh device wins the contention for the channel and when another mesh device has not reserved the channel for the time period.