Mesh Network Path Reliability via Message Success Rates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating connection quality in mesh networks, such as RSSI and link evaluation metrics, fail to assess the reliability of intermediary connections and are power-intensive, leading to inefficient resource usage and reduced battery life in battery-powered devices.
Innovation Solution
A method for evaluating connection quality in mesh networks by computing received and transmitted message success rates, which account for both direct and intermediary connections, reducing the need for extensive message exchange and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RSSI is used to evaluate connection quality, then signal strength can be measured, but the reliability of intermediary connections cannot be assessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where nodes exchange link quality metrics including received signal strength indication (RSSI) and transmission success rates. Each node provides feedback about its own reception quality and the quality of connections to its neighbors, enabling end-to-end path reliability assessment. This feedback loop allows nodes to accumulate statistical information about message delivery success across multiple attempts and propagate this information through the mesh network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary link quality metrics as mediators between direct node measurements and end-to-end path reliability assessment. These intermediaries include per-link transmission success rates, cumulative path success rates, and hop-by-hop quality indicators that aggregate information from multiple direct connections to evaluate the reliability of intermediary connections in the mesh network path.
2Reliability
If extensive message exchange is performed to evaluate connection quality, then reliable path assessment can be achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing link evaluation only when necessary rather than continuously. Nodes evaluate connection quality periodically or when topology changes occur, rather than maintaining constant active measurement. The system uses statistical sampling of message transmission attempts to achieve reliable assessment with minimal overhead, evaluating a subset of messages rather than all possible communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic link quality evaluation where nodes measure and report connection metrics at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. The evaluation frequency is adjusted based on network conditions, performing measurements only when needed to maintain reliable paths, thereby reducing cumulative energy consumption while preserving assessment accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If link evaluation metrics are calculated based on multiple message exchanges, then transmission success can be measured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex end-to-end path reliability measurement into independent per-link metrics. Instead of requiring complex coordinated measurement across the entire path, each node independently measures and reports its own transmission success rate and received signal strength. These segmented metrics are then aggregated by intermediate nodes to compute cumulative path success rates, simplifying the measurement process at each individual node while achieving comprehensive path assessment.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth techniques for evaluating connections between nodes in a mesh network. The techniques include receiving, by a first node from a second node, one or more first frames responsive to evaluation frames; determining, by the first node based on the one or more first frames, a transmitted message success rate associated with the second node; and transmitting, by the first node based on the transmitted message success rate, a first data frame to a target destination via the second node.