Network State Detection via Packet Marking in Wireless Sensor Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless sensor network diagnostics methods, particularly the active inquiry mode, result in a heavy network burden due to increased communication overhead, which reduces network reliability and lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A method where intermediate nodes mark data packets with network state information, allowing sink nodes to determine the network state without initiating inquiries, using data packet sequence numbers, link quality, and hop counts, and employing a BP neural network to categorize network states as normal, damaged, congested, or environmentally impacted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If active inquiry mode is used to detect network state, then network state can be determined in real time, but network communication overhead increases and network burden becomes heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork state detection accuracyVSAvoidnetwork communication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the sink node actively inquiring about network state (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by having intermediate nodes autonomously mark data packets with network state information during normal data transmission. This passive collection method eliminates the need for separate inquiry communications while still achieving real-time network state detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines network state detection function with normal data packet transmission by marking packets with intermediate node identities and sequence numbers during their regular routing process. This merging eliminates the need for separate detection packets, reducing communication overhead while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If additional control information data packets are inserted into the network for diagnostics, then network state can be monitored, but network traffic load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork diagnostics capabilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges network state information with existing data packets by marking them during normal transmission. This approach combines diagnostics functionality with regular data flow, eliminating the need for separate control packets and thus maintaining network traffic efficiency while enabling comprehensive diagnostics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediate nodes automatically mark their own identities and sequence numbers on data packets during normal forwarding operations. This self-service mechanism enables network state tracking without requiring external control packets or additional communication overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If frequent network state inquiries are performed, then timely failure diagnosis is achieved, but node energy consumption increases and node lifespan decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure diagnosis timeVSAvoidnode energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of sink nodes frequently inquiring about network state (which consumes energy), the patent inverts the approach by having intermediate nodes continuously mark packets with their state information during normal operations. This passive marking occurs during regular data transmission without requiring additional energy for separate inquiry cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous network state monitoring by having intermediate nodes mark every data packet they forward with their identity and sequence number. This continuous marking during normal data flow provides timely failure diagnosis without requiring periodic inquiry cycles that would increase energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9161255B2Reporting method, detection method, device and system for network state

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 ZTE CORP

AI summary

A reporting method for a network state includes: an intermediate node receiving a data packet; the intermediate node marking the data packet according to the current network state; and the intermediate node forwarding the marked data packet. A detecting method for a network state includes: a sink node receiving a data packet; the sink node parsing the data packet to obtain the marking information about the network state; and the sink node determining the network state according to the marking information. A reporting device corresponding to the reporting method, a detecting device corresponding to the detecting method, and a detecting system comprising the reporting device and the detecting method are also provided.