Portable Mesh Network Path Selection for Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current information handling system mesh networks face challenges in managing power consumption, leading to inefficient energy use and variable network performance, especially in enterprise environments where devices may operate on battery power and require secure communication.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allow a portable information handling system to select mesh network paths based on energy consumption parameters, including power usage and availability, to optimize network performance while reducing overall power consumption and ensuring secure communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If distributed access points are deployed throughout the enterprise environment to support wireless communications, then network coverage and accessibility are improved, but power consumption increases and network reliability decreases due to congestion and interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects mesh network paths based on real-time energy consumption parameters and network conditions. The portable information handling system evaluates multiple available paths and transitions between them as conditions change, making the network adaptive to varying power availability and performance requirements rather than using a static access point connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate mesh network nodes (other portable information handling systems) that relay communications between the source device and destination. These intermediary devices extend network reach without requiring additional infrastructure power, using their own communication capabilities to forward data packets through the mesh network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If access points remain continuously powered to monitor for user requests, then network availability is improved, but power consumption during inactivity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption during inactivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh network enables devices to serve themselves as access points by allowing any portable information handling system to act as a relay node. This distributes the access point function across multiple devices rather than relying on dedicated infrastructure APs that must remain continuously powered, with each device contributing its communication resources when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If mesh network paths are selected without considering energy consumption, then network communication speed is improved, but battery life of portable devices decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork communication speedVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the selection parameters for mesh network paths by incorporating energy consumption metrics alongside traditional performance metrics. The path selection algorithm evaluates both communication speed and power usage, selecting paths that optimize the balance between these competing parameters based on the device's current battery state and performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wireless interfaces (60 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz) are used for mesh network communication, then network adaptability is improved, but device complexity and power management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork interface compatibilityVSAvoidpower management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh network manager implements a universal path selection framework that handles multiple wireless interface types (60 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz) through a single energy-aware evaluation process. Rather than implementing separate management logic for each interface type, the system uses a unified approach that assesses all available paths regardless of the wireless technology used, simplifying power management across diverse interface options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10142937B2Information handling system mesh network power management

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A portable information handling system includes a wireless network interface device that establishes communication with a network destination through a mesh network having plural network paths of one or more ad hoc network interfaces. A mesh network manager running on the portable information handling system retrieves network context information from nodes of the plural network paths and applies the network context information to determine energy consumption of the plural network paths. The mesh network manager selects a network path to communicate with the network destination based at least in part on the energy consumption associated with the plural network paths.