Network Scheduling via Virtual Timeslots for Collision-Free Topology

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Solution Overview

Problem

In shared networks, collisions occur due to nodes being unaware of each other's presence, leading to inconsistent network topology views and inefficient scheduling, especially for new nodes joining or networks merging, resulting in potential data corruption and suboptimal bandwidth utilization.

Innovation Solution

The Virtual Timeslot (VSLOT) technique is introduced, where each node includes a virtual node in its neighbor list for NAMA scheduling, allowing for control information exchange during virtual timeslots, ensuring consistent network views and efficient bandwidth use by reconciling topology inconsistencies and enabling new nodes to learn about existing nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If TDMA is used to divide frequency into timeslots for multiple users, then collisions are reduced, but new nodes joining the network cannot learn about existing nodes leading to inconsistent topology views and potential collisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision-free communicationVSAvoidnetwork topology information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces virtual timeslots before actual data transmission timeslots. During these virtual timeslots, nodes exchange control information including their identities and topology data. This preliminary action ensures that when data transmission begins, all nodes have consistent views of the network topology, preventing collisions while maintaining reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If traditional TDMA scheduling is used, then bandwidth is allocated to nodes, but unused timeslots occur reducing bandwidth utilization efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidunused timeslot resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic timeslot allocation where the scheduling is not fixed but adapts based on actual network conditions and node requirements. The scheduler determines which nodes need transmission and allocates timeslots accordingly, eliminating unused slots. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize bandwidth utilization by matching timeslot allocation to actual communication needs rather than using static pre-allocated slots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If nodes transmit data simultaneously without awareness of each other, then network simplicity is maintained, but collisions occur causing data corruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork operation simplicityVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces control information as an intermediary layer between nodes. Before data transmission, nodes exchange control information during virtual timeslots that includes their identities and topology awareness. This intermediary communication establishes coordination without requiring complex direct node-to-node negotiation, maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring data integrity through collision-free scheduling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7616565B2Network communication scheduling

Publication Date: 2009.11.10 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

A method to schedule network communications includes determining nodes within a network, forming a node list based on the nodes in the network, determining a network schedule of communications for the nodes based on the node list. Determining a network schedule includes determining a timeslot. Each node receives data during the timeslot.