Mesh Network Message Distribution via Spanning Tree Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In meshed communication networks using power line carrier technology, broadcast messages experience significant redundancy and delays due to multiple retransmissions by nodes, leading to slowed message dissemination and potential losses.
Innovation Solution
A configuration server determines a minimum weight spanning tree within the network, identifying nodes that are only necessary for message diffusion and sends configuration commands to these nodes to prevent redundant transmissions, thereby optimizing message broadcast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all nodes repeat broadcast messages upon reception, then message dissemination coverage is improved, but transmission redundancy and delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of broadcasting nodes into two categories: nodes that should repeat messages and nodes that should not. This segmentation is achieved by determining a spanning tree of the communication network and identifying leaf nodes (nodes with only one neighbor in the tree) as non-broadcasting nodes, while other nodes remain as broadcasting nodes. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring sufficient coverage through strategic node selection while eliminating redundant transmissions that cause delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the redundant broadcasting function from specific nodes (leaf nodes of the spanning tree) while maintaining it in other nodes. By identifying and excluding leaf nodes from the broadcasting set, the system eliminates unnecessary message repetitions that contribute to transmission delays and collisions, while preserving adequate message dissemination through the remaining broadcasting nodes.
2Reliability
If all nodes repeat broadcast messages, then message coverage is improved, but collision probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments broadcasting nodes by using spanning tree leaf node identification to distinguish between nodes that should repeat messages and those that should not. This segmentation reduces the total number of nodes performing broadcast repetition, thereby decreasing the probability of collisions on the shared communication medium while maintaining sufficient message coverage through the selected broadcasting nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts problematic leaf nodes from the broadcasting node set and excludes them from message repetition. This removal eliminates the source of excessive collisions caused by multiple simultaneous retransmissions, while the remaining non-leaf nodes continue to provide adequate message dissemination coverage.
3Loss of information
If broadcast messages are transmitted frequently, then information freshness is improved, but network load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts redundant transmission instances by identifying and excluding leaf nodes from the broadcasting set. This reduction in the number of broadcasting nodes decreases the overall network load and allows for more frequent broadcast transmissions without saturating the network, thereby maintaining information freshness while improving network throughput.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for a mesh communication network comprising a plurality of electronic devices connected to a shared medium, each electronic device being adapted to, when said electronic device receives a message of a first type, transmit said message on the medium, the system comprising a configuration server and at least one electronic device, the electronic device being adapted to, in a first mode of operation, when said electronic device receives a message of the first type, transmit said message on the medium, and receive a message from the configuration server comprising a configuration command to, when said electronic device receives a message of the first type, not transmit said message on the medium and switch to a second mode of operation, and, in the second mode of operation, when said electronic device receives a message of the first type,not to broadcast said message on the media.