Repeater Node Utilization in LoRaWAN Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long-range wireless networks, such as LoRaWAN, face challenges in efficiently reaching a large number of endpoints within a geographical area due to the high cost of building and maintaining gateways, and difficulties in choosing optimal gateway locations, especially in remote or hard-to-access areas.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a repeater system that joins nodes to the network through a gateway by transmitting join request messages, receiving and identifying associated nodes, and transmitting messages with physical layer payloads, allowing for efficient communication between nodes and the gateway, even in areas where direct communication is not possible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If long-range wireless gateways are deployed to enable communications with endpoints in remote areas, then network coverage is improved, but deployment and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces repeaters as intermediary devices between gateways and endpoints. These repeaters are deployed in remote areas to relay communications, allowing gateways to cover larger areas without being physically located in every remote position. The repeater acts as a mediator that extends network reach while reducing the need for expensive gateway deployments in difficult-to-access locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The network architecture is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels: gateways at central locations, repeaters at intermediate remote locations, and endpoints at final destination locations. This segmentation allows the system to distribute functionality across multiple device types, with repeaters handling local relay functions and gateways handling central network functions, thereby reducing overall deployment costs while maintaining extensive coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more gateways are deployed to reach all endpoints in a geographical area, then network coverage is improved, but the number of required gateways increases leading to higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both an endpoint (with its own address space) and a gateway (able to relay messages to multiple endpoints). This universal design allows a single repeater to perform the functions of multiple dedicated devices, reducing the overall number of components needed in the network while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Repeaters serve as intermediary devices that reduce the number of direct gateway-to-endpoint connections needed. By positioning repeaters strategically in remote areas, the system can reach multiple endpoints through a single repeater rather than requiring separate gateways for each endpoint, thereby reducing the total number of gateways needed while maintaining extensive network reach.
3Ease of manufacture
If repeaters are used to extend network reach to remote areas, then gateway deployment costs are reduced, but additional devices must be deployed and managed
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater is designed as a universal device that combines multiple functions: it operates as an endpoint with its own address space, acts as a gateway to relay messages, and can be deployed in various remote locations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite the increased number of deployed units.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater incorporates self-configuration capabilities where it automatically generates its own address space and configures its routing tables based on the messages it receives. This self-service functionality reduces the manual configuration and management burden, offsetting the increased complexity of having additional devices in the network.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of managing communications through a repeater between a gateway and a plurality of nodes in a long-range wireless wide area network include, in various independent aspects, joining the plurality of nodes to the network through the gateway by transmitting to a join server at least a portion of join request messages received from the plurality of nodes, receiving messages from the gateway and identifying associated nodes of the plurality of nodes to which those messages are then transmitted, and transmitting messages to the gateway with physical layer payloads corresponding to payloads of messages received from the plurality of nodes.