SDN Controller for Low-Power Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software defined networking (SDN) architectures for low-power wireless networks face challenges due to the shared wireless medium and stringent resource constraints, particularly in managing diverse communication types like one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-one traffic patterns, which existing protocols like RPL are not optimized to handle efficiently, leading to significant overhead and latency issues.
Innovation Solution
A controller is introduced that detects communication types and translates them into pre-defined phases, allowing for efficient configuration of network nodes in a time-synchronous manner, using a control plane and data plane separation, with generic flood primitives, pre and post processing logic, and guard and offset time periods to manage latency and adapt to network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If RPL protocol extensions are used to support multiple communication types, then communication versatility is improved, but overhead and storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control of different communication types by introducing separate routing protocols for different traffic patterns (RPL for many-to-one, AODV for one-to-one, ODMRP for one-to-many). This segmentation allows each protocol to be optimized for its specific communication type without requiring comprehensive extensions to a single protocol, thereby reducing the storage overhead at network nodes while maintaining versatility in supporting multiple communication types.
2Ease of operation
If frequent back and forth communication occurs between controller and network nodes, then network control responsiveness is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring routing tables and communication paths at network nodes before data transmission occurs. The controller establishes routing information in advance for different communication types, so that when actual data transmission is needed, nodes can immediately use the pre-established paths without requiring back-and-forth communication with the controller, thereby reducing latency while maintaining control responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through scheduled controller-to-node communication intervals and periodic routing table updates. Instead of continuous or on-demand communication that causes latency, the controller periodically synchronizes with nodes to update routing information and maintain network state, balancing control responsiveness with reduced communication overhead and latency.
3Ease of manufacture
If wireless medium sharing is implemented to reduce infrastructure costs, then deployment simplicity is improved, but network performance and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing communication-type-specific routing protocols and optimization strategies at local network segments. Different protocols (RPL, AODV, ODMRP) are deployed locally based on the specific communication requirements of each traffic pattern, allowing each local segment to be optimized for its particular function while sharing the wireless medium, thereby maintaining network performance and reliability despite the shared infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject-matter provide a controller for a low-power, wireless, software defined networking, SDN, architecture. The controller comprises a processor and a memory storing instructions for execution by the processor. The instructions, when executed by the processor cause the controller to implement: a control layer arranged to detect a communication type for processing an application over the network, and translate the communication type into a plurality of phases chosen from a pre-defined set of phases to configure the nodes of the network to respond to the application according to the communication type.