Selective Relay of Network PDUs in Wireless Mesh Nodes

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless mesh networks face inefficiencies in data transmission due to the relaying of all network protocol data units (PDUs), which increases traffic and power consumption, as existing protocols do not effectively manage redundant transmissions and path diversity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a selective relay mechanism in nodes of the wireless mesh network, where nodes determine whether to relay PDUs based on duplicate detection, segment parity, and neighbor link types, reducing unnecessary transmissions and optimizing power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all network PDUs are relayed by nodes, then data transmission reliability is improved through multiple paths, but network traffic increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having nodes selectively relay only a subset of received network PDUs rather than all PDUs. Nodes determine whether to relay a PDU based on criteria such as duplicate detection, segment parity, and neighbor link types, thereby reducing unnecessary transmissions while maintaining adequate reliability through strategic selective relaying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by allowing different nodes to apply different relaying strategies based on their specific characteristics, such as whether they are single-link or multi-link neighbors, and their position in the mesh network. This enables optimized local decision-making that balances reliability and energy consumption for each node's specific context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If all network PDUs are relayed by nodes, then data transmission reliability is improved through multiple paths, but network traffic increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having nodes selectively relay only a subset of received network PDUs rather than all PDUs. Nodes determine whether to relay a PDU based on criteria such as duplicate detection, segment parity, and neighbor link types, thereby reducing unnecessary transmissions while maintaining adequate reliability through strategic selective relaying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If duplicate network PDUs are relayed, then path diversity is maintained, but redundant transmissions increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath diversityVSAvoidtransmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where nodes track received PDUs using replay caches and make relaying decisions based on feedback information. Nodes detect duplicates by comparing received PDUs with stored ones in replay caches, and adjust their relaying behavior accordingly, thereby avoiding redundant transmissions while maintaining path diversity through intelligent feedback-driven decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by having nodes selectively relay only a subset of received network PDUs rather than all PDUs. Nodes determine whether to relay a PDU based on criteria such as duplicate detection, segment parity, and neighbor link types, thereby reducing unnecessary transmissions while maintaining adequate reliability through strategic selective relaying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11617104B2Selective relay of network protocol data units in a wireless mesh network

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 NXP USA INC

AI summary

A node in a wireless mesh network determines that a threshold level of duplicate network protocol data units (PDUs) are received. Further, the node receives one or more network PDUs comprising respective segments of transport data in a transport PDU. The node relays a subset of the received one or more network PDUs comprising respective segments to one or more neighboring nodes. The subset is relayed based on determination that the node has received a threshold level of duplicate network PDUs.