Mesh Network Node Wake-Up for Radio Metric Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mesh networks between vehicles face inefficiencies due to transient connections and the inability to establish stable, reliable communication pathways, which hinders edge computing and data sharing operations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involve a communication center identifying a tertiary node in sleep mode and waking it up when a radio metric between two nodes exceeds a threshold, allowing the tertiary node to relay communications and improve network connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If nodes remain in sleep mode to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but network connectivity and communication reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic node activation where sleeping nodes are selectively woken up based on real-time communication needs. The system dynamically transitions nodes between sleep and active states, optimizing the balance between energy conservation and network connectivity. This dynamic approach allows the mesh network to adapt its connectivity structure on-demand rather than maintaining static active nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary gateway nodes that act as mediators between the central server and sleeping mesh nodes. These gateway nodes remain active and handle communication routing, allowing sleeping nodes to be activated only when needed for specific communications. This intermediary layer enables energy-efficient operation while maintaining network reliability through the gateway buffer.
2Speed
If direct communication between nodes is maintained, then communication speed is improved, but network stability deteriorates due to transient connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gateway nodes as stable intermediaries in the communication path between mesh nodes and the central server. These gateways provide stable routing anchors that remain active, mediating communications between transient mesh nodes and the network core. This intermediary structure decouples the instability of individual node connections from the overall network stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into stable gateway nodes and transient mesh nodes, with different functional roles. Gateways handle stable routing and server communication, while mesh nodes provide opportunistic direct communication when available. This segmentation allows the network to tolerate transient connections in the mesh layer while maintaining stability through the gateway layer.
3Reliability
If more nodes are activated to improve network coverage, then network reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic node activation where the number of active mesh nodes adjusts based on real-time communication requirements. Nodes are activated only when needed for specific communications rather than remaining permanently active. This dynamic approach optimizes the trade-off between having enough active nodes for reliability and minimizing energy consumption by keeping nodes dormant when not needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods disclosed herein optimize radio metrics between nodes within a mesh network by waking up nodes not actively connected to a mesh network. A mesh network system includes a computing device configured to determine that a radio metric between a first node and a second node in a mesh network is above a predetermined threshold, identify a third node operating in sleep mode, when the radio metric is above the predetermined threshold, and cause the third node to wake and connect to the mesh network, the third node is configured to relay communication between the first node and the second node.