Power-Aware Multipoint Relay Routing for Low-Loss Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multipoint relay (MPR) protocols fail to consider network traffic rates and transmit powers, leading to inefficient data transmission and power consumption in ground-to-ground networks, particularly in environments with high path loss and interference.
Innovation Solution
A power-aware MPR approach that selects routing nodes based on low-loss links, using local information to optimize transmit power and data rates, and employs orthogonal data streams for enhanced resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional MPR protocols are used for routing in ground-to-ground networks, then network connectivity is maintained, but data transmission efficiency and power consumption are suboptimal due to ignoring link loss characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the routing selection parameters from traditional metrics (hop count, arbitrary selection) to link loss metrics. By evaluating and selecting relay nodes based on minimum link loss characteristics, the system optimizes both data transmission efficiency and power consumption simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where nodes continuously measure and report link loss metrics to the network. This feedback enables dynamic routing adjustments based on actual channel conditions, allowing the network to adapt to changing environments and maintain optimal performance in terms of both efficiency and power consumption.
2Reliability
If relay nodes are selected without considering link loss, then network setup is simple, but path loss and signal interference degrade communication quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces link loss as a key selection parameter for relay nodes. By changing the selection criterion from simple arbitrary choice to link loss-based evaluation, the system significantly improves communication quality through better path selection, while the added complexity is managed through efficient metric calculation and comparison algorithms.
3Length of stationary object
If transmit power is increased to overcome path loss, then communication range is extended, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate relay nodes that act as mediators to extend communication range. Instead of increasing transmit power at the source node, the system uses multiple lower-power transmissions through relay nodes to achieve the same effective communication range, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining extended coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A multipoint relay (MPR) wireless network may include spaced apart nodes, with each node including wireless transceiver circuitry, beacon circuitry, and a controller coupled to the wireless transceiver circuitry and beacon circuitry. The controllers may be configured to operate the beacon circuitry to determine a respective link strength metric for each potential link between nodes, assign a set of nodes from among the plurality of nodes to function as gateway nodes and assign other individual nodes to communicate via respective gateway nodes based upon the respective link strength metrics to define the MPR network so that one-hop links have a strongest link strength metric, and operate the wireless transceiver circuitry for communications over the MPR network.