Wireless Mesh Node Resilience via Wide-Beam Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless mesh networking systems fail to provide adequate protection for point-to-point narrow beam wireless paths, which are directional and require line-of-sight conditions, and they do not effectively manage packet latency in real-time applications, leading to link failures due to events like vegetation growth or node loss.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of wireless communication nodes that host both small cell and CPE sub-nodes in a single enclosure, enabling redundant communication paths using multiple frequency carriers and wide-beam-width links to maintain connectivity in case of direct or indirect line-of-sight path failures, and dynamically switching between carrier frequencies to ensure network resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If point-to-point narrow beam wireless paths are used, then network capacity and speed are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to line-of-sight requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes alternate wide-beam communication paths alongside narrow beam paths before link failures occur. When vegetation growth or node loss disrupts the narrow beam line-of-sight path, the pre-configured wide-beam alternate path is immediately activated to maintain connectivity, preventing service interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements redundancy by deploying both narrow beam and wide-beam communication capabilities at network nodes. This cushioning mechanism ensures that when the primary narrow beam path fails due to environmental factors, the wide-beam path serves as a protective backup, cushioning against complete link failure.
2Reliability
If multiple communication paths are established for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes communication nodes universal by equipping them with both narrow beam and wide-beam communication capabilities. Each node can function as a relay for both path types, and the same hardware infrastructure supports multiple communication modes, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems for each path type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges narrow beam and wide-beam communication functionalities into a unified network architecture. Both communication types share common infrastructure elements such as nodes, enclosures, and control mechanisms, consolidating what could be separate systems into an integrated solution that manages complexity.
3Reliability
If wide-beam-width communication links are used for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but network capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic by function: narrow beam paths handle high-capacity data traffic requiring maximum throughput, while wide-beam paths handle control signaling, management traffic, and backup data transmission. This segmentation allows each path type to be optimized for its specific purpose without compromising overall network performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different beam widths are applied locally based on functional requirements. Narrow beams provide high-gain, high-capacity links for primary data paths where maximum throughput is critical. Wide beams provide robust, lower-capacity links for redundancy and control functions where reliability and coverage are prioritized over raw throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a wireless communication node that includes (1) at least one small cell sub-node that is configured to communicate with multiple CPE sub-nodes outside of the wireless communication node via multiple first wide-beam-width communication links and (2) at least one CPE sub-node that is configured to communicate with one small cell sub-node outside of the wireless communication node via a second wide-beam-width communication link, where the at least one small cell sub-node and the at least one CPE communication sub-node are housed within a single enclosure. In some implementations, the wireless communication node may also support multiple carriers operating at different frequencies.