Star Network Dongle Virtual Multi-Link for Time Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time synchronization protocols for wireless ad-hoc networks using TDMA are prone to failure when defects or malicious nodes introduce abnormal time values, leading to instability and inaccurate synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a star network to form multi-links and virtual multi-links by scanning nearby peers with a dongle, allowing continuous connection up to a maximum number of peers N and extending connections using already connected peers when exceeding this limit, thereby ensuring stable synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If maximum consensus algorithm is used for time synchronization, then synchronization speed is improved, but stability deteriorates when defects or malicious nodes are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes defective or malicious nodes from the consensus calculation process. By identifying nodes with abnormal time values and excluding them from the averaging calculation, the system prevents these nodes from corrupting the synchronization while still maintaining fast convergence through consensus-based algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where nodes continuously monitor and exchange time information, allowing the network to detect and respond to defective nodes. The feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of consensus participation based on node reliability, maintaining both speed and stability.
2Reliability
If average consensus algorithm is used for time synchronization, then stability is improved, but synchronization speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the consensus process into multiple phases or iterations, allowing the averaging algorithm to converge faster by processing time information in structured steps rather than requiring full network-wide sequential updates.
3Device complexity
If Bluetooth connection limit of N peers is enforced, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when more peers need connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple Bluetooth connections into a single virtual interface. By combining the communication channels of multiple connected peers through the dongle's virtual interface, the system allows more than N peers to communicate simultaneously while maintaining manageable connection complexity at the device level.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual interface serves multiple functions by acting as a unified communication endpoint for multiple peers. This multi-functional approach allows the dongle to handle communications from N+1 or more peers through a single interface, enhancing adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for providing virtual interface by using star network are provided in which a multi-link for continuously connecting peers up to a maximum number of connectable peers N after scanning all peers around a dongle is formed, and when a peer exceeding the maximum number of connectable peers N among the all peers exists, a extending connection is formed such that a virtual multi-link with a new peer is formed using the dongle and an already connected peer.