Multi-Hop Network Clustering for Broadcast Collision Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-hop connection networks, especially in dense sections, broadcast message flooding leads to high collision probabilities, resulting in unsuccessful message transmission to some or all network participants, and existing methods require significant resources and cause delays in propagating messages effectively.

Innovation Solution

A self-organizing method where network participants form clusters with each participant potentially acting as a cluster head, using gateways for message transmission and employing parallel routes to monitor and ensure message delivery, reducing the need for a higher-level control unit and minimizing resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If broadcast message flooding is used to ensure all network participants receive the message, then message delivery coverage is improved, but collision probability increases significantly in dense network sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery coverageVSAvoidcollision probability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The network is divided into clusters with cluster heads that coordinate message repetition. Instead of every node flooding messages independently, only designated cluster members repeat messages, segmenting the flooding function to reduce collisions while maintaining coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cluster heads act as intermediaries that receive broadcast messages and coordinate their repetition by member nodes. This intermediary structure organizes the flooding process, reducing random collisions while ensuring messages reach all participants through coordinated retransmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a higher-level control unit is used to manage cluster formation and message routing, then message transmission efficiency is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage transmission efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol unit resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs self-organization through distributed cluster formation algorithms where nodes autonomously select cluster heads and establish membership. Message routing is determined by cluster topology rather than centralized control, enabling efficient transmission without requiring resource-intensive control units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the control parameter from centralized hierarchical management to distributed autonomous decision-making. Each node uses local information and simple rules to determine cluster membership and message repetition behavior, achieving efficiency without complex control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If relatively long waiting times are provided between broadcast packet reception and possible packet repetition to reduce collision probabilities, then collision probability is reduced, but noticeable delays occur in broadcast propagation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision probabilityVSAvoidbroadcast propagation delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Nodes perform preliminary actions during cluster formation by storing identification data of their own cluster head and neighboring cluster heads. This preliminary preparation enables immediate recognition and coordinated repetition of broadcast messages without requiring long waiting times, reducing propagation delay while maintaining low collision probability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Quantity of substance

If network participants with low processor performance and memory capacity are used, then device cost and resource consumption are reduced, but the ability to manage complex cluster formation and message routing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice resourcesVSAvoidnetwork management capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the operational parameters of low-resource devices by simplifying their tasks to local cluster management rather than global network control. Nodes only need to store cluster head identifiers and follow simple repetition rules based on cluster membership, enabling low-resource devices to participate effectively in complex multi-cluster networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2592872B1Method for operating a multi-hop connection network
Publication Date: 2014.10.08 INSTA ELEKTRO GMBH
  • EP2592872B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3a
  • EP2592872B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2592872B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~3c

AI summary

The method involves transmitting an initialization broadcast by a network subscriber that is defined as cluster head. The initialization broadcast is received with sufficient signal strength by all subscribers. The cluster head stores the network subscribers identifications. The cluster head receives the acknowledgment message of a network subscriber, whose identification is not stored. The network subscribers receives a rejection message. A cluster element of a cluster is selected as a gateway for communication between the cluster head of the cluster and neighboring cluster.