Relay Node MAC Address Modification for Mesh Network Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The data forwarding process in wireless networks is complicated due to the need for encryption and decryption and the maintenance of routing table information, especially when using repeater devices and mesh networks to extend communication range.
Innovation Solution
A method where a relay node modifies the receiving or sending MAC addresses of packets to simplify the forwarding process, eliminating the need for encryption and decryption and routing table maintenance, by changing addresses to those of parent nodes, allowing packets to be forwarded efficiently without additional software protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a relay device is used to extend communication range, then the communication coverage is improved, but the data forwarding process becomes complicated due to encryption/decryption and protocol mapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex encryption/decryption and protocol mapping operations from the relay device's data forwarding process. By having the station and access point directly handle these operations and only exchange simplified MAC address frames, the relay device is left with a simple store-and-forward function, resolving the contradiction between extended coverage and forwarding complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data transmission process into distinct layers: the station and access point handle higher-layer protocols and encryption, while the relay device handles only physical layer frame forwarding. This segmentation allows each component to specialize, reducing the relay device's operational complexity while maintaining extended coverage capability
2Manufacturing precision
If routing table information is maintained for correct packet forwarding, then the data forwarding accuracy is improved, but the processing complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the routing table maintenance function from the relay device entirely. Instead of maintaining complex routing tables and querying them for each packet, the relay device uses simple MAC address matching in a refugee table to determine whether to forward frames, eliminating routing table complexity while maintaining forwarding accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the forwarding decision parameter from complex routing table lookups to simple MAC address matching. By comparing the destination MAC address directly against stored refugee MAC addresses, the system achieves accurate forwarding without the overhead of maintaining and querying complex routing tables
3Adaptability or versatility
If upper-layer software processing is used for data forwarding, then the flexibility and adaptability are improved, but the processing speed and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces upper-layer software processing with hardware-level MAC address matching and frame forwarding. By implementing the forwarding logic at the physical/data link layer rather than through software applications, the system achieves both high speed (hardware processing) and flexibility (MAC address-based routing)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments processing responsibilities by moving simple MAC address matching to hardware operations in the relay device, while reserving complex protocol handling for the station and access point. This segmentation enables fast hardware-based forwarding at the relay level while maintaining overall system flexibility through the endpoint devices
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a data transmission method, including: generating a packet by a station, wherein a sending address of the packet is a MAC address of the station and a receiving address of the packet is a MAC address of an access point; changing the receiving address of the packet to a MAC address of its parent node by the station, and then sending the packet; transmitting an acknowledgement (ACK) frame by a relay node that receives the packet, changing the receiving address of the packet to a MAC address of its parent node, and then forwarding the packet uplink until the packet is forwarded to the access point; and transmitting an ACK frame by the access point after receiving the packet, parsing the packet, and determining that it receives data from the station based on the sending address of the packet.