Powerline Node Message Fragmentation for Network Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current powerline communication systems, such as those used in Automated Meter Management (AMM) electrical supply networks, face challenges in increasing network capacity due to limitations in frequency band usage, where devices can only operate on one frequency band at a time, leading to complex reconfiguration and reduced exchange capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where messages are fragmented and transmitted on multiple frequency bands, allowing each fragment to be associated with a different frequency band, thereby leveraging the unique characteristics of various frequency bands for improved bit rate, range, and interference resistance, increasing network capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only one frequency band is used per node device, then device complexity is reduced, but network capacity and exchange capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The message is segmented into multiple fragments, with each fragment transmitted on a different frequency band. This allows the network to utilize multiple frequency bands simultaneously for communication, thereby increasing network capacity without requiring each device to handle all frequency bands at once, thus avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-frequency-band communication to multi-frequency-band communication by adding the frequency band dimension. Messages are transmitted across multiple frequency bands simultaneously, effectively increasing network capacity by utilizing an additional dimensional resource (frequency diversity) without complicating individual device operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequency band reconfiguration is implemented, then network adaptability improves, but reconfiguration complexity and risk of communication failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by transmitting message fragments on multiple frequency bands before any reconfiguration is needed. The destination node receives fragments on different frequency bands and reassembles the complete message, ensuring communication continuity without requiring subsequent reconfiguration operations that could fail or complicate device state management
3Productivity
If multiple frequency bands are used for message transmission, then network capacity increases, but transmission protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission protocol is simplified through message segmentation into fragments, each transmitted on a different frequency band. The destination node reassembles fragments in sequence to reconstruct the original message. This segmentation approach increases network capacity by enabling parallel frequency band utilization while keeping the protocol relatively simple, as it only requires fragment indexing and sequential reassembly rather than complex multi-band coordination mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting a message from a first node device to a second node device in which the second node device belongs to network neighborhood of the first node device. The first and second node devices belong to an electrical supply network using powerline communications. The first node device begins by fragmenting the message into at least a first fragment and a second fragment. Next it associates a first frequency band of a set of frequency bands with the first fragment and a second frequency band with the second fragment, the first and second frequency bands being different. It then transmits each first and second fragment on the frequency band with which it is associated.