Multi-hop Path Management in Wireless Mesh Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in effectively managing and updating communication paths in ad-hoc and mesh networks, particularly in dynamically adapting to changes in device positions, link quality, and network topology, which affects network efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device with a communication unit for exchanging signals to generate or update multi-hop communication paths and a control unit for managing path information, which decides on effective and updating times based on expiration information, device positions, link quality, and network usage, ensuring timely updates and efficient path management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If path information is updated frequently to adapt to dynamic network changes, then network reliability is improved, but network overhead and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by updating path information before the expiration time is reached. The control unit determines an update time that is earlier than the expiration time, ensuring that path information is refreshed proactively while devices are still within communication range, thereby maintaining network reliability without requiring continuous monitoring and updating at every moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the update time flexible rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the update time based on the expiration time and current network conditions, allowing the system to adapt its updating frequency to the actual needs of the network, thus balancing reliability maintenance with energy conservation.
2Reliability
If path information is updated before expiration to maintain active paths, then network connectivity is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing path information updates before the expiration time is reached. This proactive updating ensures that path information remains valid and connectivity is maintained, while avoiding the need for reactive updates that would generate additional overhead when path failures occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling each information processing device to autonomously determine its own update time based on the expiration time received from other devices. Each device independently manages its path information updates without requiring centralized coordination, reducing control overhead while maintaining connectivity.
3Loss of energy
If expiration time is extended to reduce update frequency, then energy consumption is reduced, but path information may become outdated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by setting the update time earlier than the expiration time. This creates a buffer period that allows path information to be refreshed before it would naturally expire, ensuring freshness is maintained even with extended expiration times that reduce update frequency and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the relationship between expiration time and update time. Rather than using fixed intervals, the system modifies these temporal parameters based on network conditions and device positions, allowing optimization of both energy consumption and path information freshness.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Generation and management of a communication path between a plurality of information processing devices are properly performed. An information processing device is equipped with a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit performs exchange of a signal for generating or updating of a multi-hop communication path using wireless communication with another information processing device. In addition, the control unit performs control for updating path information regarding the communication path set through the exchange of the signal for generating or updating of the multi-hop communication path before the path information is destroyed.