Mesh Network Controller Beacon Slot Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mesh network systems face challenges in reducing power consumption due to complex control protocols and inefficient data communication, leading to increased operations for node devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a mesh network architecture with a network controller that sends beacons in predetermined slots, allocating fixed and dynamic time slots for data transmission, allowing node devices to synchronize and send data packets within allocated time slots, thereby simplifying network control and preventing collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex control protocols are used in mesh network systems, then network connectivity and reliability are improved, but power consumption increases and device operation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network control function is segmented between the network controller (centralized management) and node devices (data transmission), allowing complex control protocols to be executed centrally while reducing the operational complexity and power consumption at individual node devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic beacon transmission by the network controller to maintain network synchronization and connectivity, enabling reliable mesh network operation while allowing node devices to enter low-power states between beacon intervals, thus reducing overall power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If complex control protocols are implemented, then network connectivity is improved, but the complexity of node device operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidnode device operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Complex control protocol processing is extracted from individual node devices and centralized in the network controller, which sends simplified transmission instructions to nodes. This maintains reliable network connectivity while significantly reducing the operational complexity at node devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The network controller acts as an intermediary that manages complex control protocols and translates them into simple transmission commands for node devices, thereby maintaining network reliability while reducing device operation complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic time slot allocation is used, then network adaptability and expansion flexibility are improved, but control protocol complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork expansion flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic time slot allocation where the network controller can allocate transmission time slots to node devices based on current network conditions and requirements, enabling flexible network expansion while the controller manages the complexity of dynamic allocation centrally rather than at each node

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10356824B2Network controller, node device and mesh network system thereof

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 NANJING SILERGY SEMICONDUCTOR (HONG KONG) TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

AI summary

An apparatus can include: (i) a network controller in a mesh network, the network controller being configured to send a beacon in a predetermined beacon slot in a broadcast manner, where the beacon includes a slot allocation state of the mesh network; and (ii) a plurality of node devices, where each node device is configured to synchronize according to the beacon, and to send a data packet within a corresponding fixed time slot according to the slot allocation state, where each of the fixed time slots corresponds to only one of the plurality of node devices.