Network Probing Profiles for Deterministic Wireless Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Deterministic wireless networks face challenges in achieving guaranteed packet delivery, fixed latency, and low jitter due to their constrained nature, which is difficult to address with existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of efficient network probing mechanisms, including pre-loaded probing profiles and in-network processing of probe reports, allows for dynamic adjustment of overbooking and constraint relaxation while maintaining service level agreements (SLAs) in deterministic wireless networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional network probing is used in LLNs, then network performance can be monitored, but it consumes excessive bandwidth and energy resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performance monitoringVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-loads multiple probing profiles into network nodes beforehand. These profiles contain pre-configured probe parameters such as packet size, interval, and destination. When probing is needed, nodes simply activate a pre-loaded profile rather than configuring probes in real-time, significantly reducing processing energy and bandwidth overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of network probes by selecting different pre-loaded profiles based on current network conditions and requirements. Each profile has different probe parameters (size, interval, frequency), allowing the system to adapt probing intensity to match actual needs, thereby optimizing energy and bandwidth consumption while maintaining monitoring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional network probing is used in LLNs, then network performance can be monitored, but it generates excessive control traffic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performance monitoringVSAvoidcontrol traffic volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial probing by selectively activating only the necessary probing profiles based on current network conditions. Instead of continuously running all possible probes, the system activates only those profiles needed for current monitoring requirements, reducing control traffic volume while maintaining adequate network performance monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

By changing probe parameters through profile selection, the system can reduce probe frequency and packet size during normal conditions, thereby reducing control traffic volume. When network issues are detected, more intensive profiles can be activated temporarily to gather necessary diagnostic information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If deterministic networking is implemented in LLNs, then guaranteed packet delivery and fixed latency can be achieved, but network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguaranteed packet deliveryVSAvoidnetwork complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments deterministic networking requirements into separate probing profiles that can be independently configured and activated. Each profile handles specific deterministic requirements (e.g., different packet priorities, different latency bounds), allowing the complex deterministic networking functionality to be broken down into manageable, modular components that reduce overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-configures multiple probing profiles with different deterministic parameters before network operation. This preliminary configuration allows deterministic networking to be activated by simply selecting a profile rather than configuring complex parameters in real-time, thereby achieving guaranteed packet delivery and fixed latency while minimizing the operational complexity experienced by network nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple probing profiles are maintained at each node, then probing flexibility is improved, but node memory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprobing flexibilityVSAvoidnode memory
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different nodes to store different subsets of probing profiles based on their specific network roles and requirements. Not every node needs every profile - border routers may need different profiles than interior nodes. This selective storage approach maintains probing flexibility while optimizing memory usage at each individual node.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3022872B1Efficient network probing for deterministic wireless networks
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3022872B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3022872B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3022872B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, a device (e.g., path computation device) informs a network management device of a plurality of possible probing profiles, where nodes of a computer network receive the plurality of possible probing profiles from the network management device. Based on determining that particular information is desired from one or more particular nodes of the nodes of the computer network, the device may then select one or more particular probing profiles of the plurality of possible probing profiles based on the particular information, and instructs the one or more particular nodes to probe one or more particular destination nodes according to the one or more particular probing profiles.