Wireless Mesh Network Congestion Management via Adaptive Video Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless mesh networks face increased latency and congestion issues, particularly in networks with larger node counts, which can hinder real-time data transmission such as audio and video feeds, as previous methods like CSMA/CA fail to guarantee medium reservation and result in increased waiting times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to monitor outgoing data queue lengths in nodes of a wireless mesh network, reducing video quality when thresholds are exceeded, and sending notifications to adjacent nodes to adjust video quality, thereby managing network congestion and ensuring longer medium access and shorter delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CSMA/CA methods are used to reserve wireless medium, then medium reservation is attempted, but latency increases due to random backoff waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary scheduling of wireless medium access by creating a schedule at a schedule-making node that allocates specific time slots to different nodes before data transmission begins. This preliminary action eliminates the need for random backoff waiting, as nodes know in advance when they will gain medium access, thereby reducing latency while maintaining reliable medium reservation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If larger node counts are used in the network, then network coverage and connectivity improve, but latency increases due to more hops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless mesh network into different transmission paths and implements scheduled medium access for each path. By dividing the network traffic into scheduled segments with predetermined access times, the system can handle larger node counts without proportionally increasing latency, as the scheduling optimizes the number of hops and eliminates redundant waiting time across multiple nodes.
3Manufacturing precision
If video quality is maintained at high levels during congestion, then video fidelity is preserved, but network congestion increases and latency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic video quality adjustment based on scheduled medium access and real-time network conditions. The system dynamically adapts video encoding parameters such as resolution, frame rate, and compression level according to the scheduled transmission slots and available bandwidth, preserving video quality when possible while preventing congestion during high-load periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes video transmission parameters adaptively by modifying encoding settings, bit rate, and quality levels based on network congestion levels and scheduled access patterns. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain acceptable video quality while optimizing network throughput and preventing congestion from escalating.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems for managing a wireless mesh network are described herein. One method includes monitoring an outgoing data queue length of a node of a wireless network, determining that the outgoing data queue length exceeds a particular threshold, reducing a video quality associated with the outgoing data queue, and sending a notification to an additional node of the wireless network to reduce a video quality associated with an outgoing data queue of the additional node.