Network Node Propagation Delay Measurement for Time Slot Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ad-hoc networks like mesh networks, data transfer efficiency is hindered by unknown propagation delays, leading to inefficient time slot utilization, as current methods require costly synchronization with a universal time base like GPS to measure and adjust for these delays.
Innovation Solution
Each node determines the propagation delay to neighboring nodes, allowing for efficient data transfer by synchronizing transmissions without a common time base, enabling more precise time slot allocation and reducing network deployment costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If time slot length is increased to accommodate worst case propagation delay, then all nodes can communicate without synchronization, but a large portion of the time slot remains unutilized reducing transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The time slot length is made dynamic rather than static. Each node determines its own propagation delay to neighboring nodes and customizes its time slot length accordingly. This allows each node to have an optimized time slot length specific to its communication needs, rather than using a uniform length that must accommodate the worst case scenario across the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the network (different nodes) have different time slot lengths tailored to their local propagation delay characteristics. Each node measures its own propagation delay to its neighbors and configures its time slots locally, rather than imposing a global time slot length determined by the maximum propagation delay in the network.
2Productivity
If time synchronized nodes with universal time base like GPS are used to measure propagation delay, then time slot can be customized to conform to computed delay, but network deployment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each node performs self-measurement of propagation delay by exchanging time information with its neighboring nodes. The nodes autonomously determine their own propagation delays through local measurements without requiring external synchronization infrastructure like GPS. This eliminates the need for costly universal time bases while still enabling customized time slot configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Time information messages serve as intermediaries between nodes to enable propagation delay measurement. By exchanging these messages containing transmission time stamps, nodes can compute propagation delays without requiring direct physical measurement equipment or external time synchronization infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If fixed time slot length accommodating worst case delay is used, then synchronization infrastructure is not needed, but propagation delay causes portion of time slot to be unutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The time slot length transitions from a fixed static value to a dynamic value that adapts to each node's specific propagation delay characteristics. Each node measures its propagation delay and configures its time slots dynamically, allowing full utilization of each time slot without requiring complex centralized synchronization infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a network. A source node determines the propagation delay for data to reach a destination node. This enables the source node to transmit data more efficiently by ensuring a greater portion of a specific time slot is used for receiving data by the destination node. The destination node then determines if it is connected to any other nodes, and determines the propagation delay between the other connected nodes. The process continues until a node detects it is not connected to any other nodes for which a propagation delay has not been computed. Thus, each node on the network knows the propagation delay between each node, and the nodes utilize this information to more efficiently transfer data through the network.