Multi-Radio Mesh Network Expedited Route Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-radio mesh networks, route recovery from link failures is costly and time-consuming due to the slow propagation of path error messages, leading to traffic congestion and increased latency, especially in large networks with multiple hops.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a low-power, long-range secondary radio in mesh network devices for expedited route recovery and load balancing, allowing for event-driven transmission of path error messages using technologies like LoRa or LTE Cat M1, which can cover longer distances than primary radios, thereby reducing the time to detect and recover from link failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard path error messages are propagated through multiple hops in a mesh network, then all nodes can be notified of the link failure, but the propagation time is excessively long causing traffic congestion and queue buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the route recovery notification function into two parts: (1) standard multi-hop PERR propagation for complete network notification, and (2) expedited PERR propagation using secondary radios for rapid source node alerting. This segmentation allows different notification paths to serve different purposes simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between completeness and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary radio acts as an intermediary channel that bypasses the slow multi-hop propagation path. By introducing this alternative communication medium, the patent enables direct or fewer-hop transmission of PERR messages from intermediate nodes to source nodes, significantly reducing notification time without compromising reliability.
2Device complexity
If primary radios are used for all communications in the mesh network, then device complexity is minimized, but the communication range is insufficient for expedited error propagation across large networks
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh network devices are designed with multi-functionality, incorporating both primary radios for standard communications and secondary radios for expedited error propagation. This universal design allows the same device to handle both routine traffic and urgent error notifications efficiently, achieving high speed without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic radio selection based on message urgency. Primary radios handle normal traffic while secondary radios are activated specifically for PERR message transmission. This dynamic approach optimizes propagation speed for critical messages while maintaining overall system simplicity through selective activation.
3Loss of time
If path error messages are propagated quickly through fewer hops, then route recovery time is reduced, but traffic congestion still occurs on intermediate nodes before the error message reaches them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by enabling intermediate nodes to detect link failures locally and immediately propagate PERR messages via secondary radios before congestion fully develops. This proactive error notification prevents traffic from accumulating on intermediate nodes, maintaining network productivity while achieving fast recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where intermediate nodes continuously monitor link status and immediately trigger PERR propagation upon detecting failures. This real-time feedback loop ensures that error information reaches source nodes quickly, allowing them to stop transmitting on failed paths before congestion occurs, thus maintaining network throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
Network hardware devices organized in a wireless mesh network (WMN). A first mesh network device includes processing logic that detects an error condition of a first wireless link to a next hop node in a wireless path between a second mesh network device and a third mesh network device. The processing logic sends, via a first radio of the first mesh network device, a first frame with a first path error message over a second wireless link to a precursor hop node in the wireless path. The first path error message identifies the error condition of the first wireless link. The processing logic generates a second frame with a copy of the first path error message and sends, via a secondary radio of the first mesh network device, the second frame with the copy of the first path error message.