Multi-Hop Route Discovery With Resource Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks using WIMEDIA® MAC technology face limitations in transmission range and data rate due to regulatory restrictions, making it difficult for devices to transmit data at higher rates over long distances in distributed access wireless networks.
Innovation Solution
A method for discovering a multi-hop route in a distributed wireless communication network that broadcasts a route discovery request with specific fields indicating hop-count limit, required slots, and device IDs, allowing intermediate devices to update and forward the request only if they have sufficient resources, ensuring that the selected route has sufficient available slots to support the desired data transmission rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If transmission power is increased to extend transmission range, then transmission distance is improved, but regulatory restrictions prevent this approach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transmission path into multiple segments or hops through intermediate devices. Instead of requiring a single high-power transmission from source to destination, the data is transmitted through a sequence of lower-power transmissions between neighboring devices, each operating within regulatory limits while collectively achieving long-distance communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate relay devices that act as mediators between the source and destination. These intermediate devices receive, process, and forward data packets, enabling extended range communication without requiring the source device to transmit at high power over the entire distance, thus maintaining regulatory compliance.
2Length of stationary object
If multi-hop relay is implemented to extend transmission range, then transmission distance is improved, but route discovery complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary route discovery actions by broadcasting route request packets through the network before actual data transmission. Intermediate devices that receive these requests evaluate their resource availability in advance and selectively forward requests only if they can support the required data rate, preventing wasted transmission attempts on inadequate routes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where intermediate devices provide information about their resource status (available slots, data rate capabilities) to the route discovery process. This feedback allows the source device to identify viable routes that meet minimum data rate requirements, reducing the complexity of finding suitable multi-hop paths.
3Ease of operation
If route discovery requests are broadcast to all devices, then route finding capability is improved, but network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having intermediate devices make localized decisions about whether to forward route discovery requests based on their specific resource conditions. Each device evaluates its own available slots and data rate capabilities, forwarding requests only through devices that can locally support the required quality of service, thereby avoiding unnecessary network-wide propagation of requests through inadequate paths.
Data Source
AI summary
In a wireless communication network (300) comprising a plurality of devices (100), a method of discovering a route for transmitting data from a source device (110A) to a destination device (110D) via multi-hop relay, includes broadcasting from the source device (110A) a route discovery request for transmitting data to the destination device (HOD). The route discovery request includes: a first field indicating a hop-count limit, a second field indicating a number of slots, X, required for transmitting the data, a third field indicating an ID for the source device (110A), and a fourth field indicating an ID for the destination device (HOD). The source device (110A) then receives a route discovery response indicating a route from the source device (110A) to the destination device (HOD). The route discovery response includes a first field indicating a number of hops between the source device (110A) and the destination device (HOD).