Protocol Accelerator Module for IEEE 802.15.4 Packet Forwarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current protocol accelerators for wireless sensor networks using the IEEE 802.15.4 standard are inefficient in forwarding data packets due to time-consuming software processing, leading to significant transmission delays that hinder real-time connections between transceivers, particularly in applications requiring rapid responses.

Innovation Solution

A protocol accelerator module that queries a reference table to determine whether to forward data packets immediately, using identifiers from the packet or payload to identify the intended receiver, allowing for rapid forwarding during the next available time slot without the need for extensive software processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If data packets are forwarded using software processing in the coordinator, then the network can maintain low complexity and battery operation, but transmission delays increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission delayVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the forwarding function from the main coordinator software by introducing a dedicated hardware component (forwarding engine) that handles packet forwarding independently. This separation allows time-critical forwarding operations to occur in hardware while the main software handles higher-level protocol management, thus reducing transmission delays without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a forwarding engine as an intermediary component between the receiver and transmitter paths. This intermediary hardware module intercepts packets requiring forwarding, processes them through the forwarding table lookup, and transmits them without involving the main software processing stack, thereby eliminating software processing delays while maintaining system architecture integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If software processing is used for packet forwarding in the coordinator, then the transceiver can operate under battery power with minimal requirements, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforwarding speedVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the software-based packet forwarding mechanism (mechanical/system-level processing) with a hardware-based forwarding engine. This substitution leverages the faster execution speed of hardware logic compared to software interpretation, dramatically increasing forwarding productivity while reducing processing time. The forwarding engine performs table lookups and packet transmission at hardware speeds, bypassing the slower software processing path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the coordinator forwards every received packet, then all possible connections are maintained, but energy consumption and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection flexibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the forwarding table with valid destination addresses and time slot assignments before operation begins. When a packet arrives, the forwarding engine simply performs a table lookup to determine if forwarding is needed, rather than analyzing each packet's destination and making forwarding decisions in real-time. This pre-computation approach maintains connection flexibility while minimizing real-time processing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by forwarding only those packets that have matching entries in the forwarding table, rather than forwarding all received packets indiscriminately. The forwarding table acts as a filter that permits only necessary forwarding operations, reducing energy consumption and processing overhead while maintaining all required connections. Packets without table matches are discarded, eliminating wasteful processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8654764B2Protocol accelerator module with packet forwarding function and a method of transceiver operation for rapid forwarding of data packets

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 IHP GMBH INNOVATIONS FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE MICROELECTRONICS LEIBNIZ INSTITUT FÜR INNOVATIVE MIKROELEKTRONIK

AI summary

The present invention relates to a protocol accelerator module for a data transmission protocol level of a transceiver, particularly but not exclusively for rapid forwarding of data packets in wireless sensor networks using the time-division multiple access method according to the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. The invention also relates to a method of transceiver operation for rapid forwarding of data packets, likewise particularly, but not exclusively, in wireless sensor networks using the time-division multiple access method according to the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. The core of the invention is a reference table which stores references from identifiers of second transceivers to identifiers of third transceivers as well as references from specific messages to identifiers of third transceivers. A transceiver can check during reception of a data packet whether it is a data packet to be forwarded, and can take appropriate precautions for rapid sending of a data packet to be forwarded. This allows real-time conditions of many applications to be met.