Phased-Array Mesh Relay for Line-of-Sight Link Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless mesh networks face link failures due to events like vegetation growth or loss of intermediary nodes, leading to direct communication path interruptions between nodes, especially in highly directional millimeter-wave links requiring line-of-sight conditions, and existing re-routing methods may not be feasible.
Innovation Solution
A mesh relay module with phased antenna arrays for receiver and transmitter beam forming, enabling indirect communication paths by receiving and transmitting signals through controlled beam directions, either passively using waveguides or actively with baseband processing, to maintain network connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct wireless links are used between nodes, then communication efficiency is improved, but link reliability deteriorates due to vegetation growth or node loss blocking line-of-sight paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mesh relay module as an intermediary device that receives signals from one node and transmits them to another node when the direct link fails. The relay module includes receiver front ends with phased antenna arrays and transmitter front ends with phased antenna arrays that can establish alternative communication paths through intermediate relay nodes, thereby maintaining link reliability while preserving communication efficiency.
2Reliability
If re-routing through alternative paths is implemented, then link reliability is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to increased path length and additional hops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam forming capabilities in both the receiver and transmitter front ends of the relay module. The system can dynamically adjust beam directions and switch between different communication paths based on real-time link conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal communication efficiency by selecting the best available path while ensuring reliability through multiple alternative routes.
3Reliability
If phased antenna arrays with beam forming are used, then communication reliability is improved through directional signaling, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication system into distinct functional segments: receiver front ends with phased antenna arrays for signal reception, transmitter front ends with phased antenna arrays for signal transmission, and control logic for beam management. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture by clearly defining the responsibilities of each module, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining communication reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mesh relay module provides alternative communication paths in wireless mesh networks, ensuring continued connectivity by dynamically adjusting beam directions to relay signals around failed direct links, enhancing network resilience and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
receiver front end comprising a receiver-side phased antenna array for receiving signals in one respective beam direction
Implementation Method 2
transmitter front end comprising a transmitter-side phased antenna array for transmitting signals received by the receiver front end in another respective beam direction
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is mesh relay module for relaying signals between nodes in a wireless mesh network. In one implementation, this mesh relay node may include a receiver front end comprising a receiver-side phased antenna array for receiving signals in one respective beam direction, a transmitter front end comprising a transmitter-side phased antenna array for transmitting signals in another respective beam direction, a communication interface, and circuitry that is configured to control the respective beam directions of the receiver and transmitter front ends and transfer signals between the receiver and transmitter front ends. Further, this mesh relay node may function to provide an indirect communication path between nodes within the wireless mesh network by (i) receiving signals from a first direction associated with a first node via the receiver front end and (ii) transmitting received signals in a second direction associated with a second node via the transmitter front end.