Mesh Node State Transfer for Low-Latency Client Roaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mesh networks experience significant data loss and latency during client roaming due to handoff delays and lack of information about ongoing application sessions, leading to dropped packets and retransmissions, especially in applications sensitive to latency like AR/VR.
Innovation Solution
Implementing faster handoff protocols by transferring the state of connections and packets between mesh nodes, including application-specific information, to minimize data loss and latency during roaming, and using decentralized configurations to simplify the handoff process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mesh nodes use traditional handoff protocols during client roaming, then network simplicity is maintained, but data loss and latency increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the source mesh node prepare and transfer connection state information (including packet buffers, sequence numbers, and session context) to the destination mesh node before the client actually roams. This advance preparation ensures that when roaming occurs, the destination node already has the necessary information to continue data transmission without interruption, thereby reducing data loss and latency while managing complexity through structured state transfer protocols.
2Reliability
If mesh nodes transfer complete connection state and packets during roaming, then data loss is minimized, but transmission time and bandwidth consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively transferring only the essential connection state information and critical packet buffers during handoff, rather than transferring the entire connection state. The system extracts and transfers specifically the state data needed for seamless continuation (such as sequence numbers, packet buffers, and session context) while leaving behind unnecessary information, thereby minimizing transmission time and bandwidth consumption while maintaining packet delivery reliability.
3Productivity
If mesh nodes implement comprehensive application state tracking, then handoff performance improves, but network overhead and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing application-specific state tracking mechanisms that are activated only when needed. Different mesh nodes can track different levels of application state depending on the specific application requirements and network conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the amount and type of state information tracked and transferred based on the particular application context, thereby improving handoff performance for critical applications while avoiding the overhead of comprehensive tracking for all applications simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes systems and methods for transferring state of connections and packets between mesh nodes in a mesh network. A client device can connect to a mesh node in communication with an access point. The access point can identify an application traversing the connection of the client device. The mesh nodes can individually identify the application by processing the network traffic. The access point can detect that the connection of the client device has roamed from one mesh node to another mesh node. The access point can send instructions to the mesh node the client device left to transfer the state of connections and application packets to the mesh node to which the client device roamed. The mesh node to which the client device roamed can receive and use the transferred data to avoid re-transmission of the data packets.