Mesh Network Parent Node Selection Using Message Success Rates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating connection quality in mesh networks, such as using RSSI and link evaluation metrics, fail to account for the reliability of intermediary connections, leading to inefficient power consumption and incomplete assessment of message transmission reliability.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that determines accumulated message success rates to evaluate connections between nodes, considering both direct and intermediary connections, allowing for the selection of optimal parent nodes that ensure reliable message transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If RSSI is used to evaluate connection quality, then signal strength measurement is simple, but it does not indicate whether messages are reliably received by the other node or through intermediary connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where nodes exchange message success rate information through periodic messages. Each node measures whether its transmitted messages are successfully received by the other node and shares this feedback information. This allows both nodes to have accurate knowledge of bidirectional message success rates, resolving the limitation of RSSI which only provides one-sided signal strength information without confirming actual message delivery reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic evaluation messages as intermediaries to carry message success rate information between nodes. These messages facilitate the exchange of reliability data without requiring complex measurement systems. The intermediary messages enable nodes to learn about each other's transmission success rates and intermediary connection quality, overcoming the insufficient information provided by direct RSSI measurements alone.
2Reliability
If link evaluation metrics are used to assess connection quality, then message transmission reliability is measured, but power consumption increases due to extensive message exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic link evaluation where nodes exchange message success rate information at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action reduces the frequency of message exchanges and associated power consumption while still maintaining accurate knowledge of connection reliability. The periodic evaluation strikes a balance between keeping reliability information current and conserving battery power in mesh network devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs link evaluation only when necessary - specifically when nodes need to update their knowledge of message success rates or when selecting parent nodes. Rather than continuous evaluation, the system performs partial evaluations at strategic moments, reducing overall message exchange volume and power consumption while still achieving reliable connection assessment when needed for routing decisions.
3Measurement precision
If direct connection evaluation is performed between two nodes, then link quality is measured, but intermediary connections in the path are not assessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges direct link quality measurement with intermediary connection assessment by combining multiple message success rate measurements. Nodes measure their direct transmission success rate and also receive and incorporate message success rate information from other nodes about their transmissions through the same path. This merging of measurements provides a comprehensive view of both direct and intermediary connection quality, enabling accurate end-to-end reliability assessment for routing decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for network reliability include, in response to determining, at a first node in a mesh network and based on a first combined accumulated message success rate, that a search for a different parent node should be performed: performing one or more communication operations to discover a plurality of nearby nodes; computing respective second combined accumulated message success rates associated with respective nodes of the plurality of nearby nodes; and based on the respective second combined accumulated message success rates, selecting a new parent node from the plurality of nearby nodes or maintaining an established parent node. The first combined accumulated message success rate is based on an accumulated uplink message success rate, a first offset value associated with the accumulated uplink message success rate, an accumulated downlink message success rate, and a second offset value associated with the accumulated downlink message success rate.