Network Routing via Recency Indicators for Low Power Sensor Nodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional routing protocols in networks require nodes to maintain extensive topology information and metrics, which is computationally and power-intensive, especially in dynamic and resource-constrained environments like sensor networks, making it challenging to determine the optimal route to a sink node efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where nodes periodically send and receive routing information with an indicator of recency, allowing each node to determine and store the most recent information, thereby identifying the optimal route to sink nodes with minimal computational and power resources, even in dynamically changing network topologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional routing protocols are used where nodes maintain extensive topology information and metrics, then route determination accuracy is improved, but computational complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute determination accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential routing information needed for route determination - specifically routing information from immediately neighboring nodes - while discarding extensive topology information and metrics. This extraction approach maintains sufficient route determination accuracy while dramatically reducing the information each node must store and process, thereby lowering power consumption and computational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by having each node maintain routing information specifically tailored to its local context - i.e., routing information from its immediate neighboring nodes only. Rather than maintaining global topology information, each node stores localized routing data that is sufficient for making routing decisions, reducing overall system complexity and energy requirements while preserving route determination accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If traditional routing protocols are used where nodes maintain extensive topology information and metrics, then route determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute determination accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional routing approach by having nodes store routing information from their neighbors rather than maintaining complete topology maps. Instead of each node calculating routes based on global knowledge, nodes simply store and forward routing information received from neighbors, fundamentally simplifying the computational requirements while maintaining routing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If routing information is updated frequently to adapt to dynamic network topologies, then adaptability is improved, but power consumption and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to network changesVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by having nodes update and propagate routing information at regular intervals rather than continuously. This periodic update mechanism allows the network to adapt to topology changes while controlling power consumption, as nodes can enter low-power states between updates and only activate processing and transmission when it is time for the next periodic routing information exchange

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9641426B2Method and system for routing information in a network

Publication Date: 2017.05.02 HP VENTURES AS

AI summary

A method and system for determining an optimal route from a node to a given sink node in a network is described. Sink node periodically transmits routing information containing an indicator of recency. This indicator of recency is periodically updated. Routing information is received by a plurality of nodes in the network. Each node receiving routing information compares the indicator of recency contained in the routing information with an indicator of recency stored at the node to determine whether the received routing information is more recent than the stored routing information. An optimal route to the sink node is determined based on this comparison. Each node also periodically transmits routing information based on stored routing information to other nodes.