Multi-Link Packet Redundancy for Adaptive Wireless Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Wi-Fi protocols face challenges in providing high availability and seamless redundancy for safety-critical applications, such as remote control of surgical equipment and robot arms, due to issues like packet loss and inflexible transmission methods.
Innovation Solution
A method for redundant data transmission over multiple communication links using a packet flow controller to dynamically select and adjust communication parameters based on context information, enabling flexible redundancy and adaptive communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Wi-Fi protocols are used for wireless communication in industrial environments, then wireless connectivity is achieved, but packet loss occurs and high availability cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating duplicate data packets before transmission. The packet flow controller creates redundant copies of critical data packets and transmits them through multiple communication links in advance, ensuring that if the original packet is lost, a duplicate is already in transit to compensate for the loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes transmission parameters including the number of duplicate packets generated, the selection of communication links, and communication parameters such as transmission power and modulation schemes. The packet flow controller adjusts these parameters based on real-time network conditions to optimize reliability and minimize packet loss.
2Reliability
If multiple communication links are used for redundant transmission, then transmission reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packet flow controller serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multi-link transmission. It centralizes the decision-making process for selecting communication links, generating duplicates, and adjusting parameters, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high transmission reliability through coordinated multi-link operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic adaptation by continuously monitoring network conditions and adjusting the number of active communication links, the number of duplicate packets, and transmission parameters in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high reliability while adapting complexity to actual network requirements rather than using fixed maximum complexity.
3Reliability
If redundant data packets are transmitted over multiple links, then high availability is achieved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial redundancy by generating a controlled number of duplicate packets rather than transmitting all possible duplicates through all available links. The packet flow controller determines the optimal number of duplicates based on the criticality of the data and current network conditions, achieving high availability while avoiding excessive resource consumption from unnecessary redundant transmissions.
4Reliability
If the number of duplicate packets is increased, then transmission reliability is improved, but network bandwidth is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The packet flow controller performs preliminary assessment of data criticality and network conditions before generating duplicates. By evaluating which packets require redundancy and how many duplicates are necessary, the system prepares transmission strategies in advance that achieve required reliability levels while minimizing unnecessary bandwidth consumption from excessive duplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the duplication ratio and transmission parameters based on real-time network conditions and data priorities. When network bandwidth is constrained or conditions are favorable, the system reduces the number of duplicates; when reliability requirements are higher or network conditions are poor, it increases duplication, thereby optimizing the balance between reliability and bandwidth consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
The proposed embodiments relate to a redundant data transmission over multiple communication links, involving a redundant duplication of a data unit, a selection of multiple communication links to be used for transmitting the data unit, an adjustment of a number of multiple communication links for transmission of the data unit and the duplicate, and a de-duplication of the at least one received duplicate to restore the data unit. The proposed embodiments present several advantages over the existing state of the art. The redundancy of the transmission may be flexibly controlled, as the number of duplicates generated is determined by a packet flow controller that at least may partially inspect the data unit and optionally utilize context data. This allows for a more efficient use of resources by providing only the necessary and adjustable amount of redundancy. The transmission is optimized in that the packet flow controller may select a number of communication links to be used for redundant data exchange in order to improve transmission reliability. Additionally, the method allows for adaptive communication in that the packet flow controller may adjust at least one communication parameter of one or more communication links, enabling the transmission to adapt to changing network conditions and further improving the transmission reliability.