Opportunistic Metadata Transmission for Test Probes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Test probes with limited bandwidth and power constraints face challenges in communicating metadata efficiently, especially when they are transmit-only or have multiple metadata to send, as traditional methods either embed metadata in every transmission or require frequent querying, which is not feasible under bandwidth or power limitations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an opportunistic metadata transmission policy where probes send metadata only when resources allow, such as during data transmission skips, high battery levels, or when bandwidth is available, and utilizing a database for retrieving full metadata using unique IDs, allowing partial metadata transmission and eventual reassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metadata is embedded with every transmission, then the data becomes self-describing and complete, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly and power is depleted faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata completenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments metadata transmission from data transmission by implementing separate metadata packets that are sent periodically or on-demand, rather than embedding complete metadata with every data packet. This segmentation allows the system to reduce per-transmission overhead while ensuring metadata availability through periodic updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by having probes send metadata in advance or periodically before data transmissions occur, or by maintaining metadata in a cached state at the receiver end. This preliminary metadata availability reduces the need for repeated metadata transmissions with each data packet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If metadata is embedded with every transmission, then the data becomes self-describing and complete, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata completenessVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts essential metadata elements from complete metadata sets and transmits only the critical portions periodically, while maintaining cached metadata at the receiver end. This extraction approach reduces bandwidth consumption by transmitting only necessary metadata updates rather than complete metadata sets with every transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of information

If querying protocol is used for metadata discovery, then the system can obtain complete metadata information, but transmit-only probes cannot respond to queries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetadata availabilityVSAvoidprotocol compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional query/response model by having probes proactively push metadata updates to the system without being queried. This inversion allows transmit-only probes to communicate metadata availability and changes unidirectionally, eliminating the need for bidirectional query capability while ensuring metadata delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling probes to autonomously determine when to send metadata updates based on their own state changes or timing, without requiring external queries from the system. This self-service approach ensures metadata is transmitted when needed while maintaining compatibility with transmit-only probe architectures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Loss of time

If complete metadata is transmitted frequently, then the system has up-to-date information, but power and bandwidth resources are depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetadata freshnessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by having probes transmit metadata updates at regular intervals or based on change thresholds, rather than continuously or with every data transmission. This periodic approach balances metadata freshness with power conservation by sending updates only when necessary time intervals have elapsed or significant changes occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS7898430B2System and method for opportunistic transmission of test probe metadata

Publication Date: 2011.03.01 VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC(US)

AI summary

Measurement sensors are designed to provide metadata to data recording devices in an opportunistic manner to conserve bandwidth and/or power. In one embodiment, the metadata is communicated to the recording device during opportunistic periods, such as, for example, when actual data transmission can be skipped, or when battery level is high, or when there is enough bandwidth, i.e., other sensors are not using the full allocated bandwidth. In one embodiment, a plurality of sensors each only send a portion of their data such that all the portions taken together form the complete metadata. In another embodiment, each sensor only sends an identification of its type and the receiving device “looks up” the full metadata from a database.