Mesh Network Device Mobility Routing Path Update

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Solution Overview

Problem

Device mobility in Low Power and Lossy Networks (LLNs) is challenging due to constraints such as lossy links, low bandwidth, and resource limitations, which complicates routing updates and can lead to network traffic congestion and packet loss during device movement.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight mechanism that allows for local device mobility by updating routing paths without frequent message exchanges, ensuring residual packets are delivered before deprecating the old path, and reducing messages to the Border Router/Root, thereby facilitating faster device roaming and minimizing network traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If routing updates are sent frequently to support device mobility, then device mobility is improved, but network traffic increases and bandwidth is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice mobilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential routing update information and separates it from full routing protocol messages. Only critical mobility-related updates are transmitted, while non-essential routing information is omitted, reducing network traffic while maintaining device mobility support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of sending complete routing updates for every topology change, the patent implements partial updates that only convey necessary mobility information. This partial action approach reduces the volume of network traffic while still achieving the goal of supporting device mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Adaptability or versatility

If routing updates are sent frequently to support device mobility, then device mobility is improved, but device energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice mobilityVSAvoiddevice energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential mobility-related routing information from complete routing protocol messages. By transmitting only the necessary subset of information, the energy required for message transmission and processing is significantly reduced, while device mobility functionality is preserved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial routing updates that convey only critical mobility information rather than complete routing state. This partial action reduces the computational and transmission energy required, enabling battery-operated devices to maintain mobility support with lower energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If routing paths are updated immediately upon parent change, then routing accuracy is improved, but network stability deteriorates due to frequent updates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting accuracyVSAvoidnetwork stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary routing updates that are prepared in advance but only activated when necessary. By pre-computing mobility-related routing information and holding it ready for conditional deployment, the system maintains routing accuracy while avoiding unnecessary updates that would destabilize the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor network conditions before triggering routing updates. By using feedback to determine when updates are actually necessary, the system maintains routing accuracy while preventing excessive updates that would harm network stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3295710B1Device mobility in a mesh network
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3295710B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3295710B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3295710B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, a device in a network receives a notification from a neighbor of the device indicative of a child node of the device requesting a parent change from the device to the neighbor. The device updates an existing routing path from the device to the child node to be routed through the neighbor, in response to receiving the notification from the neighbor. The device receives an instruction to remove the updated routing path from the device to the child node through the neighbor. The device removes the updated routing path from the device to the child node, in response to receiving the instruction to remove the updated routing path.