Routing Controller with Local Instance for Mesh Network Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor lighting networks face inefficiencies in communication between subnetworks, as local communication is not possible across network borders, leading to inefficient message routing and lack of multicast routing support, which restricts applications like light control and object detection.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a routing controller with both global and local instances, where the local instance enables direct communication between neighboring nodes across subnetworks, and the global instance handles unicast and multicast messages from the backend, optimizing message routing and reducing reliance on costly GPRS resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple subnetworks are created with border routers, then network scalability is improved, but local communication between subnetworks becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
A gateway node is introduced as an intermediary between multiple subnetworks. The gateway node joins multiple DODAGs (one from each subnetwork) and enables local communication between nodes in different subnetworks by routing messages through its local instance, eliminating the need for messages to travel through the backend while maintaining subnetwork isolation and scalability
2Extent of automation
If all communication routes through the backend, then centralized control is improved, but communication efficiency and cost decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The network communication is segmented into two types: unicast communication (commands and energy reports) continues to route through the backend via border routers for centralized control, while local communication (multicast and peer-to-peer) is handled directly between nodes through the local instance. This segmentation allows efficient local communication without backend involvement while maintaining centralized control for critical operations
3Length of stationary object
If GPRS interface is used for all communications, then long-range connectivity is improved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different communication interfaces are used based on the communication requirements: GPRS interface is used only for unicast communication with the backend that requires long-range connectivity, while local instance handles short-range local communication using lower-power mesh networking. This reduces GPRS usage and operational costs by eliminating unnecessary long-range communications for local operations
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a device comprising a routing controller for routing messages to a plurality of node devices of a network, the routing controller comprising at least one global instance enabling the routing of messages to a routing set of node devices, at least one local instance for routing packets to a neighbor node device neighboring the device, wherein the neighbor node device is selected regardless whether the neighbor node device belongs to the routing set of node devices, and wherein the routing controller is configured to use the local instance for routing of multicast messages to the node devices.