Wireless Mesh Topology Discovery via Multicast Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face challenges such as data collisions, noise interference, and environmental factors like weather, which complicate network reliability and increase costs in designing and maintaining wireless sensor networks, especially in noisy environments.

Innovation Solution

A wireless sensor network architecture that employs a mesh network structure with nodes capable of routing messages through intermediate nodes, using routing tables and acknowledgments for unicast messages, and time-to-live values for multicast messages, along with a network stack that manages communication and retransmissions, allowing for efficient data transmission and network configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication is used to provide mobility and flexibility, then user mobility and network flexibility are improved, but data collisions and noise interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary components including a base station that mediates communication between mobile devices and the network, and protocol layers (MAC layer, network layer) that act as intermediaries to manage data transmission. These intermediaries coordinate transmissions to reduce collisions and manage interference in the wireless medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through acknowledgment packets sent from receiving nodes to transmitting nodes, and through the base station's management of transmission schedules. This feedback allows the system to detect and retransmit lost or collided data, improving reliability while maintaining wireless flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If wireless sensor networks are deployed in noisy environments, then monitoring capability is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoiddata communication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs error detection and correction codes in the data link layer that are prepared in advance to cushion against noise-induced errors. The system also uses acknowledgment mechanisms that anticipate potential transmission failures in noisy environments by requiring confirmation of successful reception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

In noisy environments, the patent enhances feedback mechanisms by requiring acknowledgment packets for critical data transmissions. The base station and receiving nodes send feedback to confirm successful reception, triggering retransmissions when errors are detected, thereby maintaining reliability despite environmental noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If mesh network structure with routing tables is implemented, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through automatic routing table construction and maintenance. Nodes automatically discover their neighbors and build routing tables based on received packets, without requiring manual configuration. The system self-adapts to network changes as nodes are added or removed, reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliable multi-hop transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If protocols and techniques are established for wireless networks, then communication reliability is improved, but design and development cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork development cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal protocol layers (physical layer, data link layer, network layer) that can be applied across different wireless network configurations and applications. This multi-functional approach allows the same protocol stack to serve various purposes (sensor networks, mobile communications, mesh networks) without requiring custom protocol development for each application, thereby reducing overall development costs while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9226220B2Systems and methods for performing topology discovery in wireless networks

Publication Date: 2015.12.29 SYNAPSE WIRELESS INC

AI summary

A wireless mesh network has a plurality of nodes. One of the nodes, referred to as a “topology building node,” is configured to discover a topology of the network. In this regard, a multicast topology message is transmitted via at least one node of the network. Each node that receive such message transmits a topology multicast reply to the topology building node which adds the transmitting node to the topology if the transmitting node is not already identified by the topology. Upon adding a node to the topology, the topology building node transmits a topology multicast command to the added node thereby causing such node to transmit a multicast topology message. Accordingly, the topology eventually receives a topology multicast reply from each node of the network allowing such node to build a complete topology of the network.