Network Layer FEC Encoding for Wireless Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-traditional wireless network deployments in environments like mines and warehouses face severe signal degradation and interference due to metal presence and dynamic node movements, leading to communication disruptions that can interrupt controlled processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing network-layer forward error correction (FEC) encoding to form encoded packets, which are sent over multiple paths in the wireless network, ensuring data integrity and reliability by reconstructing lost packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network-layer FEC encoding is applied to data packets, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies forward error correction encoding in advance at the network layer before data packets are transmitted over the wireless network. This preliminary action prepares redundant encoded packets that can reconstruct lost original packets during transmission, thereby improving communication reliability without requiring complex real-time error correction mechanisms at each node.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the error correction function by applying FEC encoding at the network layer specifically, rather than relying solely on lower-layer error correction. This segmentation allows targeted protection of critical data packets while maintaining manageable device complexity through layered error correction architecture.
2Reliability
If multiple paths are used for transmitting encoded packets, then data integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spatial diversity by transmitting encoded packets through multiple wireless paths or channels simultaneously. This dimensional approach to error correction uses different transmission dimensions (multiple paths) rather than increasing complexity within a single path, allowing reconstruction of lost packets through spatial redundancy.
3Quantity of substance
If FEC encoding is applied at the network layer, then bandwidth constraints on primary links are reduced, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces network-layer FEC encoding as an intermediary mechanism between the data source and the wireless transmission medium. This intermediary layer processes data packets to create encoded versions with redundancy, reducing the impact of packet loss and bandwidth constraints on primary transmission links while distributing processing requirements across network nodes.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a controller obtains a stream of data packets. The controller applies network-layer forward error correction encoding to the stream of data packets, to form one or more encoded packets. The controller causes the stream of data packets to be sent via a link in a wireless network between a first radio of a node in the wireless network and a first access point to which the first radio is wirelessly connected. The controller causes the one or more encoded packets to be sent between a second radio of the node and a second access point in the wireless network.