Two-Phased Path Selection for Wireless Mesh Network Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless mesh networks lack integration of power management with path selection, leading to inefficient power consumption and reduced battery life in battery-powered devices, as they operate in active state continuously without built-in power saving mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A two-phased path selection process is introduced, where only outlet-powered nodes are initially woken up for path discovery, and battery-powered nodes are woken up only if a valid route is not found, utilizing additional bits in mesh configuration information elements to differentiate power states and trigger power save mode based on traffic and battery levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery-powered devices operate in active state continuously to ensure packet delivery, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by allowing mesh access points to transition between active and doze states based on traffic conditions and battery status. Devices dynamically adjust their operational state rather than remaining statically active, enabling reliability to be maintained when needed while reducing power consumption during low-activity periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of mesh access points by introducing power state transitions (active/doze states) and using power management bits to control behavior. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between reliability and power consumption by adjusting the duty cycle and wake-up intervals based on network conditions.
2Reliability
If all mesh access points are woken up for path discovery, then path selection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of mesh access points based on their power source. Outlet-powered access points are woken up for path discovery while battery-powered access points remain in doze state unless necessary. This localized differentiation optimizes power consumption while maintaining path discovery functionality through selective node activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by waking up only the necessary subset of mesh access points for path discovery rather than all nodes. Specifically, outlet-powered nodes and battery-powered nodes with sufficient charge are activated, while others remain in low-power state, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate path discovery coverage.
3Speed
If battery-powered devices remain in active state to respond to traffic, then responsiveness is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having battery-powered mesh access points wake up at scheduled intervals (beacon frame intervals) to check for traffic while remaining in doze state otherwise. This periodic wake-up mechanism allows the devices to maintain battery life by sleeping most of the time while still being able to respond to traffic periodically, balancing responsiveness with energy conservation.
4Use of energy by moving object
If power management is integrated with path selection, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by integrating power management functionality into the existing path selection and routing infrastructure. The same mesh access points that perform routing functions also handle power management decisions, and the power management bits are embedded within existing frame structures. This multi-functionality approach improves power efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity by reusing existing components.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A two-phased path selection process for wireless mesh networks that promotes stability and power management. If, during a first route discovery phase, a route cannot be found without waking up battery-powered nodes in a wireless mesh network, the source node will wake up battery-powered nodes in the mesh during a second route discovery phase.