Serial Network Packet Superimposition for Lower Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network structures experience high power consumption due to the need for network elements to receive and send messages multiple times, particularly in battery-powered devices, leading to significant power loss.
Innovation Solution
A method and network structure that allows for superimposing packets at intermediate network elements in a serial network, determining if packets can be combined based on message type and length, and sending a single combined packet to the next element, reducing the need for multiple receptions and transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If network elements send and receive messages separately in a serial network, then message delivery reliability is ensured, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the forwarding packet and the current node's own packet into a single superimposed packet for transmission. This combining approach reduces the number of separate transmissions and receptions required in the network, directly addressing the power consumption issue while maintaining message delivery functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The superimposed packet serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a forwarded message from the previous node and a new message from the current node. This multi-functionality allows a single transmission to fulfill multiple communication needs, reducing overall network traffic and power consumption.
2Productivity
If multiple receptions and transmissions are performed at intermediate network elements, then message routing accuracy is maintained, but the number of operations increases leading to higher power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple packet operations into a single superimposed packet transmission. Instead of receiving one packet and then sending another separate packet, the intermediate node creates one superimposed packet that contains both the forwarded message and its own message, reducing the total number of reception and transmission operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The superimposed packet mechanism enables continuous message flow through the network without requiring discrete stop-start reception and transmission cycles. The packet maintains its integrity and purpose throughout the forwarding process, allowing network elements to operate more continuously and efficiently rather than repeatedly waking up and going to sleep.
3Reliability
If network elements wake up multiple times to receive messages, then message reception completeness is ensured, but battery-powered devices experience significant power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple message reception events into a single reception event by superimposing multiple packets into one. This allows the receiving device to wake up only once to receive the superimposed packet, ensuring complete message reception while minimizing wake-up cycles and associated power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate network elements perform the packet superimposition operation in advance before transmission to the final destination. This preliminary combining of packets ensures that the receiving device receives all necessary information in a single operation, eliminating the need for multiple wake-up cycles and subsequent message receptions.
Data Source
AI summary
A packet sending method includes, when a network element in a serial network receives a to-be-forwarded packet at a previous node from a previous network element, and when the network element needs to send a to-be-sent packet at a current node, determining whether the to-be-sent packet at the current node and the to-be-forwarded packet at the previous node can be superimposed, where the network element is an intermediate network element in the serial network; when the to-be-sent packet at the current node and the to-be-forwarded packet at the previous node can be superimposed, superimposing the to-be-sent packet at the current node and the to-be-forwarded packet at the previous node, to obtain a to-be-forwarded packet at the current node; and sending the to-be-forwarded packet at the current node to a next network element of the network element.