Mesh Node Outage Reporting Using Last Gasp Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networked systems face challenges in reliably detecting and reporting power outages in nodes due to energy constraints and potential outages in routing nodes, leading to incomplete or missed reports.
Innovation Solution
A method where a dying node generates a 'last gasp packet' with reduced data in a smaller format, broadcasted after a random offset period, allowing neighboring nodes to convert and transmit an outage alarm message to the headend system, ensuring reliable reporting even with limited energy and potential node outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a dying node transmits a complete network message with all required information, then the reporting accuracy is improved, but the energy consumption increases beyond the node's remaining capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for outage reporting from the complete message format. The dying node transmits a truncated message containing only critical outage data (outage detection timestamp, node identifier, and outage type) while omitting non-essential information such as detailed meter readings and diagnostic data, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining reporting functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only a portion of the required message data. The dying node sends a simplified outage notification with minimal necessary information rather than attempting to transmit the complete message format, allowing the report to be processed successfully with the node's limited remaining energy
2Speed
If the dying node transmits the network message immediately, then the reporting speed is improved, but the chance of routing node failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the dying node wait for a predetermined time period after detecting the outage before transmitting the message. This delay allows the node to attempt to establish a reliable transmission path and select an alternative routing node that is less likely to fail, thereby improving message delivery reliability while still maintaining relatively fast reporting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element in the form of a predetermined time delay mechanism that mediates between the urgent need for fast reporting and the requirement for reliable delivery. This time buffer allows the system to assess network conditions and select more reliable routing paths before message transmission
3Loss of information
If multiple nodes transmit outage messages simultaneously, then the reporting completeness is improved, but the network collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing a staggered transmission schedule where nodes transmit outage messages at different time intervals rather than simultaneously. Each node waits for a random offset period after the predetermined time, creating a distributed time-division multiplexing effect that reduces network collisions while ensuring all outages are eventually reported
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements by making the wait time random rather than fixed. Each dying node calculates its transmission time as the predetermined time plus a random offset, creating a dynamic transmission schedule that adapts to individual node conditions and reduces the probability of simultaneous transmissions and network collisions
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting and reporting node power outages in a connected network. A node in the network detects that a power outage has occurred at the node and the node generates a last gasp packet using a packet format containing fewer data units than a regular packet format used by the network for communication. The node broadcasts the last gasp packet to its neighboring nodes. After receiving the last gasp packet, a neighboring node estimates the time of the power outage and converts the last gasp packet into an outage alarm message using the regular packet format. The neighboring node transmits the outage alarm message to a headend system to report the power outage at the node.