Six-Address Scheme for Wireless Mesh Network Forwarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing four-address schemes for wireless mesh networks are inefficient in supporting multiple hop frame forwarding and traffic grooming, requiring default routing and proxy tables that lead to increased resource allocation and maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

A six-field address scheme is introduced to identify both the originating and endpoint of data frames, allowing multiple hop forwarding through intermediate nodes without the need for proxy address lists or routing through a root directory, using a proxy address table to convert legacy address schemes and facilitate efficient data frame forwarding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a four-address scheme is used for frame forwarding in wireless mesh networks, then the addressing format is simple, but multiple hop forwarding efficiency is poor and resource allocation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddressing format complexityVSAvoidmultiple hop forwarding efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the addressing function into two distinct parts: a six-address format for efficient multiple hop forwarding within the mesh network, and a legacy four-address format for external network communication. This segmentation allows each format to be optimized for its specific purpose, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a format conversion mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the six-address scheme and the legacy four-address scheme. This converter enables seamless translation when frames enter or leave the mesh network, allowing the network to benefit from the six-address efficiency while maintaining compatibility with external networks using the traditional four-address format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If proxy address lists and routing through root directory are used, then frame forwarding can be achieved, but resource overhead and maintenance challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe forwarding capabilityVSAvoidresource allocation and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the proxy address list requirement from the forwarding process by implementing a six-address format that carries both source and destination information directly in the frame header. This extraction eliminates the need for nodes to maintain complex proxy address lists, reducing resource overhead while preserving reliable frame forwarding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The six-address format performs preliminary action by pre-populating the frame with complete source and destination address information before forwarding. This allows intermediate nodes to make forwarding decisions based on the destination address alone without needing to consult proxy tables or route through a root directory, simplifying the forwarding process while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If legacy four-address scheme is used, then compatibility with external networks is maintained, but source information may be lost in multiple hop forwarding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal network compatibilityVSAvoidsource information preservation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a dimensional expansion to the address format by introducing two additional address fields (source address and originating point) to the traditional four-address scheme. This creates a six-dimensional addressing space that preserves complete source information throughout multiple hops, while the conversion mechanism ensures compatibility with external networks that only understand the traditional four-address format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The six-address format serves multiple functions simultaneously: it preserves complete source information for reliability, enables efficient direct routing without proxy tables, and through the format converter, maintains compatibility with external legacy networks. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between information preservation and external compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8284775B2Six-address scheme for multiple hop forwarding in wireless mesh networks

Publication Date: 2012.10.09 STMICROELECTRONICS INT NV

AI summary

A six field address scheme identifies both the originating point and the endpoint of a data frame enabling multiple hop forwarding through a plurality of intermediate mesh points in a wireless mesh network. Data frames originating or ending at a point outside of the wireless mesh network access the wireless network at a mesh access point using a legacy address scheme. The legacy address schemes are converted to a six address scheme using a proxy address table at the access point. Each mesh access point includes not only a routing table but a proxy address table as well as enabling the mesh access point, and/or mesh portal points, to convert address schemes having less than six address fields to the six field format. Subsequent to the conversion, mesh points within the wireless mesh network need only the routing table to facilitate the forwarding of the data frame.