PCE Proxy for Deterministic Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low Power and Lossy Networks (LLNs) face challenges such as lossy links, low bandwidth, constrained resources, and the need for deterministic networking, which is difficult to achieve due to their constrained nature, especially in industrial applications requiring guaranteed packet delivery and low latency.
Innovation Solution
A PCE proxying architecture is introduced, where an agent device discovers and aggregates PCE capabilities and resources, providing a simplified view to the network, reducing control plane overhead and simplifying PCE selection and signaling, while redirecting requests to appropriate PCEs, thus optimizing path computation and time slot allocation in deterministic wireless networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PCE discovery and signaling are implemented in LLNs, then path computation capability is improved, but control plane overhead and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces PCE proxy devices as intermediaries between LLN nodes and actual PCEs. These proxies aggregate PCE capability information and handle signaling requests, shielding constrained LLN nodes from the complexity of direct PCE interaction while enabling path computation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple PCE capability advertisements into a single aggregated view through PCE proxies. Instead of each node receiving and processing separate capability information from multiple PCEs, the proxies consolidate this information, reducing control plane overhead and simplifying node decision-making.
2Reliability
If deterministic networking is implemented in LLNs, then packet delivery guarantee is improved, but network complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs path computation and time slot allocation in advance through PCEs and PCE proxies before data transmission occurs. This preliminary action establishes guaranteed paths and resource reservations, enabling deterministic packet delivery without real-time computation overhead during data plane operation.
Solution Approach 2:
PCE proxies act as mediators that simplify deterministic networking implementation by handling complex path computation and capability aggregation, allowing constrained LLN nodes to benefit from deterministic guarantees without directly managing the complexity of resource reservation and path management.
3Measurement precision
If full PCE capabilities are advertised to all nodes, then path computation accuracy is improved, but bandwidth consumption and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables nodes to receive customized PCE capability information tailored to their specific needs and capabilities through PCE proxies. Instead of broadcasting complete capability sets to all nodes, proxies provide localized, relevant information, reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining path computation accuracy for each node's context.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and filters only the necessary PCE capability information that each node requires for its specific path computation needs. PCE proxies selectively advertise relevant capabilities rather than complete information sets, reducing control plane bandwidth consumption while preserving the accuracy needed for effective path computation.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an agent device discovers a set of path computation elements (PCEs) and corresponding available capabilities and resources, and determines particular capabilities and resources of interest in a particular computer network. Upon building a simplified view of the available capabilities and resources of the set of PCEs based on the particular capabilities and resources of interest, the agent device advertises the simplified view of the available capabilities and resources into the particular computer network.