Dynamic Sink Node Reconfiguration in Wireless Sensor Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless sensor networks, particularly tree type networks, lack robustness without increasing operational costs, as enhancing robustness through mesh structures or increased radio wave output leads to higher costs and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A communication method that dynamically reconfigures the network by identifying and designating a substitute sink node based on communication quality and connectivity, using neighborhood exploration and sink node formation commands to maintain network integrity without altering the tree structure or increasing radio wave output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mesh type network structure is used to enhance robustness, then network reliability is improved, but operational cost increases due to periodic path update packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic parent node selection where child nodes can switch between different parent nodes based on communication quality. Instead of a static mesh structure requiring periodic path updates, the system dynamically adapts the tree structure by allowing nodes to change their parent relationships, thereby achieving robustness without the continuous overhead of mesh path maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of parent node selection by introducing communication quality metrics (such as signal strength or packet delivery ratio) as the basis for selecting parent nodes. This allows the network to adapt to changing conditions and maintain robustness through quality-based routing decisions rather than relying on expensive periodic path updates
2Reliability
If radio wave output from each node is increased to enhance robustness, then network reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing radio wave output power, the patent changes the parameter of network robustness by implementing multi-parent relationships and dynamic parent selection based on communication quality. This allows the network to achieve robustness through intelligent routing decisions rather than brute-force power increases, thereby avoiding excessive power consumption
3Ease of operation
If a tree type network structure is used for easy management, then ease of operation is improved, but network robustness deteriorates due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional single-parent tree structure by allowing child nodes to have multiple potential parent nodes. This segmentation creates alternative communication paths while maintaining the overall tree-like hierarchy, thereby improving robustness without completely abandoning the management simplicity of tree structures
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamics to the tree structure by allowing parent node relationships to change based on communication quality. Child nodes can dynamically switch between different parents, creating a flexible hybrid structure that combines the simplicity of tree management with the robustness of multiple paths
Data Source
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AI summary
When having detected a failure of a subordinate sink node, a node (100) according to this embodiment transmits neighborhood exploration request information to each child node, thereby receiving neighborhood exploration report information from each child node. On the basis of the neighborhood exploration report information acquired from the child nodes, the node (100) identifies an optimum child node serving as a substitute for the failed sink node. The node (100) transmits sink node formation command information to the identified child node to form it into a sink node, thus reconstructing a network.