Wireless Mesh Network Packet Relay with Separate Uplink Downlink Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless mesh networks face inefficiencies in packet relay transmission, particularly when uplink and downlink traffic are mixed or when relay nodes are arranged in a distributed manner, leading to increased installation costs and communication interference.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves separate handling of uplink and downlink traffic using different wireless interfaces, eliminating interference, and implementing Intermittent Periodic Transmit (IPT) without path reservation, with dynamic channel selection based on radio interference and priority settings for packet transmission, allowing for adaptive channel selection and improved communication quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separate wireless interfaces are used for uplink and downlink, then interference is eliminated and transmission efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay transmission efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of wireless interfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wireless communication function by providing separate wireless interfaces for uplink and downlink traffic. Each interface is dedicated to a specific direction, eliminating interference between opposite-direction transmissions and improving overall relay transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling slave nodes to handle both uplink and downlink traffic through their respective dedicated interfaces. The system achieves universal communication capability in both directions without requiring single interfaces to handle conflicting traffic types simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If Intermittent Periodic Transmit is implemented without path reservation, then overhead is reduced and transmission efficiency is improved, but adaptability to distributed network topologies deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to distributed network topologies
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing each slave node to independently select channels based on local radio interference conditions. Instead of a centralized path reservation system, each node adapts its transmission to local environmental factors, maintaining efficiency while accommodating distributed topologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling adaptive channel selection that responds to changing radio interference conditions. Slave nodes dynamically adjust their channel usage based on current environmental factors rather than following fixed predetermined paths, improving adaptability to various distributed network topologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If dynamic channel selection is implemented, then communication quality is improved and interference is reduced, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidradio interference detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling slave nodes to autonomously detect radio interference conditions and select appropriate channels without requiring complex centralized measurement systems. Each node independently monitors its local environment and makes channel selection decisions, improving communication quality while reducing overall system measurement requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2242326B1Network system, packet forwarding method, program, and recording medium
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 KYUSHU UNIV
  • EP2242326B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(b)
  • EP2242326B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)
  • EP2242326B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(b)

AI summary

There is proposed a network system and the like achieving a packet relay transmission with high relay transmission efficiency according to Intermittent Periodic Transmit method (IPT). In order to achieve Intermittent Periodic Transmit in a mesh cluster, a communication control unit 35 of a core node 21 selects one of a plurality of communication units 291, ..., 29N according to downlink priority and causes the selected communication unit to transmit a packet with a periodic interval. In order to transmit a packet from the core node to another slave node, a communication control unit 55 of a slave node 41 selects one of the communication units according to downlink priority, and in order to transmit a packet from a slave node to the core node, the communication control unit 55 of the slave node 41 selects one of the communication units according to uplink priority. Then, the communication control unit 55 causes the selected communication unit to transmit the packet.