Wireless Mesh Network Hybrid Link Architecture for Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless mesh network design approaches face challenges due to the short length of wireless links using millimeter wave spectrum, requiring a large number of hops and nodes to cover medium to large areas, which complicates power supply management and increases latency.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves designing wireless mesh networks with a combination of long hop links, short hop links, and high capacity long hop links, along with the use of seed nodes, type A nodes, adjacent and non-adjacent type B nodes, to create redundant paths and reduce latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If millimeter wave spectrum is used for high capacity communication links, then communication capacity is improved, but wireless link length is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless network into different types of links: long hop links for backbone connectivity and short hop links for access connectivity. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both long-range high-capacity communication and reliable short-range connections, resolving the contradiction between link length and capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different link types to different locations and functions within the network. Long hop links are used for backbone connectivity where maximum capacity and range are needed, while short hop links are used for access points where reliability and simplicity are prioritized. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by matching link characteristics to functional requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If a large number of hops are required to connect end customers to core network, then coverage area is expanded, but latency is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network path into two distinct components: long hop links for backbone connectivity and short hop links for access. This segmentation enables the network to achieve wide coverage area through the combination of multiple long hop links while minimizing latency by reducing the number of short hop links in the data path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the network architecture, organizing links into different tiers (backbone vs. access). This dimensional organization allows traffic to be routed through fewer hops by utilizing the hierarchical structure, thereby reducing latency while maintaining extensive coverage area.
3Power
If each wireless mesh network node carries data for multiple nodes, then network capacity is improved, but power supply reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into backbone nodes and access nodes with distinct functional roles. Backbone nodes handle high-capacity data aggregation and have robust power supplies, while access nodes focus on local connectivity. This segmentation isolates power supply failures to individual access nodes without affecting the entire network, maintaining both capacity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements backup power supply mechanisms at critical backbone nodes to cushion against power failures. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if a power outage occurs at an access node or intermediate node, the network can maintain operation through alternative paths and backup power, thereby preserving both network capacity and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system comprising a set of wireless communication nodes that are configured to operate as part of a wireless mesh network. Each respective wireless communication node may be directly coupled to at least one other wireless communication node via a respective short-hop wireless link, and at least a first pair of wireless nodes may be both (a) indirectly coupled to one another via a first communication path that comprises one or more intermediary wireless communication nodes and two or more short-hop wireless links and (b) directly coupled to one another via a first long-hop wireless link that provides a second communication path between the first pair of wireless communication nodes having a lesser number of hops than the first communication path. A fiber access point may be directly coupled to a first wireless communication node of the set of wireless communication nodes.