Multipath Communication Availability via Node Location Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems over multiple network operators face challenges in ensuring high availability and reducing failure probability, as commercially available paths may be affected by single failure events due to shared network resources, making it difficult to guarantee service availability, especially for critical applications like unmanned aerial vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A method that collects location information of network nodes, compares it to identify co-located nodes, determines path segment lengths, estimates intersection, and selects disjoint paths to establish communication over multiple distinct paths, ensuring non-intersecting and non-co-located segments, thereby increasing availability and reducing shared risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple communication paths are established over different network operators, then communication availability is improved, but shared network resources may cause simultaneous failures affecting all paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication availabilityVSAvoidshared risk from common network resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The method segments the communication infrastructure by identifying and separating shared network resources (such as common fiber optic cables, towers, or equipment) from the communication paths. By collecting location information of network nodes and determining path segment lengths, the system divides the network into distinct segments that can be independently evaluated for shared risks, allowing selection of paths that are truly disjoint at the physical resource level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a spatial dimension to path selection by collecting and comparing location information of network nodes. Instead of merely selecting paths based on logical or topological disjointness, the method evaluates the physical geographic separation of path segments, determining whether segments intersect based on their locations and lengths. This spatial analysis enables selection of paths that are separated in physical space, thereby eliminating shared risk from common infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If network operators do not share topology and routing information, then commercial independence is maintained, but failure to identify co-located nodes reduces path reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-operator compatibilityVSAvoidpath independence

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary actions by collecting location information of network nodes and determining path segment lengths before establishing communication paths. This advance preparation allows the system to identify potentially co-located nodes and estimate path segment intersections in advance, enabling selection of truly disjoint paths before any communication failure can occur, thereby ensuring path independence without requiring operators to share sensitive topology information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces location information and path segment length measurements as intermediary data that bridge the gap between multi-operator compatibility and path independence. These intermediaries allow each operator to maintain their own topology and routing information while still enabling the selection system to evaluate physical separation of paths, thus maintaining commercial independence while achieving reliable path selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If path selection is based on available information without location data, then implementation complexity is reduced, but ability to detect intersecting paths is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath selection complexityVSAvoidpath intersection detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The method replaces complex mechanical or manual path analysis with automated computational processing of location information and path segment lengths. By using algorithmic estimation of path segment intersections based on geographic coordinates and segment measurements, the system achieves accurate path intersection detection through information processing rather than physical inspection or manual routing analysis, thereby managing complexity through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20230379239A1Method for establishing a multipath communication with maximized availability

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 AIRBUS (SAS)

AI summary

A method for establishing a communication through multiple distinct communication paths deployed over different network operators includes collecting location information of network nodes of available distinct paths between a source node and destination node, comparing location information of the network nodes to identify possibly co-located network nodes, determining path segment lengths of consecutive path segments between the nodes of each path, estimating whether path segments of the paths intersect based on locations of the network nodes and the path segment lengths, selecting multiple paths that do not include intersecting path segments and/or co-located network nodes, and establishing communication between the source node and destination node over both selected paths.