Wireless Mesh Network Adaptive Channel Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless mesh networks are susceptible to self-interference and external interference due to environmental conditions and electronic devices, which affects network performance and connectivity.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method where gateways and access nodes in a wireless mesh network adaptively select transmission channels by cycling through available frequencies, evaluating channel contention and noise, and selecting channels based on persistence of successfully received packets and noise levels to minimize interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If access nodes and gateways use fixed transmission channels in a wireless mesh network, then network deployment is simplified, but self-interference and external interference increase due to environmental conditions and electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel selection where access nodes and gateways continuously monitor channel conditions (noise levels, packet reception persistence) and adaptively switch between available transmission channels. This transforms the static channel assignment into a dynamic system that responds to changing environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between deployment simplicity and interference susceptibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission channel parameter based on evaluated conditions. Each access node cycles through available channels, measures persistence of successfully received routing packets and noise levels, then selects the optimal channel. This parameter adaptation allows the network to maintain simple deployment while reducing interference through intelligent channel selection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wireless mesh networks use adaptive channel selection by cycling through multiple frequencies, then interference is reduced, but system complexity and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having access nodes pre-cycle through all available transmission channels before selecting the final channel. During this preliminary phase, nodes evaluate noise conditions and packet reception persistence on each channel. This advance evaluation simplifies the ongoing operation by establishing optimal channels beforehand, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making while effectively reducing interference.
3Reliability
If nodes continuously monitor and evaluate transmission channels, then network connectivity and stability improve, but energy consumption and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having access nodes cycle through available channels at scheduled intervals rather than continuously monitoring. Nodes evaluate channels periodically, measure persistence of successfully received routing packets and noise levels, then select optimal channels for extended periods. This periodic approach maintains network reliability through regular optimization while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of a gateway selecting transmission channels of a cluster of a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The cluster includes the gateway and a plurality of access nodes. The method includes the gateway cycling through a plurality of available transmission channels, evaluating channel each of the available transmission channels, and selecting a cluster transmission channel based on the channel evaluations. An apparatus and method of a node within a wireless mesh network selecting a transmission channel is also disclosed. The method includes the node cycling through a plurality of available transmission channels, measuring a persistence of successfully received routing packets from upstream devices at each of the available transmission channels, evaluating noise of each of the available transmission channels, and selecting one of the available transmission channels based on the persistence of successfully received routing packets and the noise.