Proxy Redundancy via Group Identifier Derivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless control networks face challenges in maintaining reliable communication due to energy restrictions in resource-constrained devices, particularly with energy-harvesting devices, which can create a single point of failure and result in increased communication overhead and proxy conflicts when implementing proxy redundancy.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows resource-restricted devices to use proxy redundancy by having all proxies derive a multicast identifier from the device's unique source identifier, enabling them to independently schedule packet forwarding based on link quality, success rate, memory availability, and other criteria, and using control and group identifiers to manage communication efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proxy redundancy is implemented using existing procedures, then communication reliability is improved, but communication overhead and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the addressing parameter from individual device addresses to group identifiers. By deriving a group identifier from the source device address and using this group identifier in the destination address field, the patent simplifies the proxy redundancy mechanism while maintaining communication reliability, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the binding table universal by allowing it to store multiple destination devices for a single source device under different group identifiers. This multi-functional binding table can handle both normal communication and proxy redundancy scenarios, reducing the need for separate complex procedures and lowering device complexity while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If proxy redundancy is implemented using existing procedures, then communication reliability is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the proxy redundancy mechanism with the existing binding table structure by utilizing the destination address field for dual purposes: normal destination addressing and proxy group identification. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate redundancy signaling messages, reducing communication overhead while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
By changing how the destination address field is interpreted and used (incorporating group identifiers derived from source addresses), the patent enables proxy redundancy functionality without requiring additional communication messages, thus reducing communication overhead while ensuring reliability
3Device complexity
If a single parent router is used for resource-restricted devices, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of the parent-child relationship by allowing multiple proxy devices to derive the same group identifier from the source device address. This enables multiple proxies to serve the same resource-restricted device without increasing its complexity, while improving reliability through redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces group identifiers as intermediaries between the source device and multiple proxy devices. These intermediaries enable multiple proxies to independently derive routing information from the source address without direct configuration, maintaining simplicity while enabling redundant communication paths for improved reliability
4Use of energy by moving object
If resource-restricted devices use batteries, then energy autonomy is improved, but maintenance requirements increase due to battery replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables resource-restricted devices to perform self-service energy harvesting from their environment rather than relying on replaceable batteries. This eliminates maintenance requirements while providing energy autonomy, resolving the contradiction between energy independence and ease of operation
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method for wireless communication in a network comprising a resource-restricted device (ZGPD), at least two proxy devices (ZP1, ZP2) and at least one destination device (DD), wherein the method comprises the following steps: - the resource-restriced device transmitting a frame to be forwarded to a destination device in the network, said frame containing a unique source identifier of the resource-restricted device, - at least one proxy device receiving the frame and identifying the frame as originating from a resource-restricted device, - the proxy device determining the unique source identifier and deriving a group identifier as a known function of the unique source identifier, the group identifier designating a group of devices in the network or a source address, - the proxy constructing, from the frame, an appropriate packet to be forwarded, - the proxy forwarding the packet by taking into account the group identifier.