Tree-Based Routing with Restricted Flooding for Topography Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tree-building protocols in communication networks do not allow for adjusting the tree structure based on network topography and do not enable routing beyond the established tree, leading to inefficient energy usage and limited scalability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where network nodes determine and apply restrictions to flooding messages for building routing trees, allowing controlled transmission based on angles, distances, and node identities to align the tree structure with network topology and enable routing beyond the initial tree.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional flooding protocols are used to build routing trees, then the tree structure is simple to implement, but the tree cannot be adjusted to match network topography and energy efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the routing tree have different properties based on their location in the network. Nodes apply different forwarding behaviors depending on their position relative to the root and the specified angular sector, allowing the tree structure to adapt to local network topography and reduce unnecessary energy consumption in certain directions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by introducing angular sector restrictions and directional constraints to the traditional flooding protocol. By modifying how packets are forwarded based on angular parameters and node positions, the system creates topography-aware routing trees that optimize energy usage while maintaining connectivity
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional flooding protocols are used to build routing trees, then the implementation is straightforward, but routing beyond the tree is not enabled and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the routing tree configurable and adaptable rather than static. The root node can specify angular sectors and the system can dynamically adjust which nodes participate in the tree and how packets are forwarded, enabling the network to scale and adapt to changing topologies while maintaining straightforward implementation through standardized protocols
3Area of stationary object
If trees span in all directions around the root, then complete coverage is achieved, but unnecessary work and energy are spent in areas of less benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the routing tree have different properties based on their location in the network. Nodes apply different forwarding behaviors depending on their position relative to the root and the specified angular sector, allowing the tree structure to adapt to local network topography and reduce unnecessary energy consumption in certain directions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by having the routing tree cover only the necessary angular sectors rather than all directions. By specifying particular angular ranges where the tree should extend, the system achieves sufficient coverage for beneficial areas while avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure in directions where nodes are sparse or coverage is less valuable
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and systems for tree-based routing in communication networks are disclosed. At a network node in a communication network, a restriction associated with a flooding message for building a routing tree in the communication network is determined, and the flooding message is handled, at the network node, according to the restriction. Determining a restriction may involve, for example, establishing the restriction or obtaining the restriction from the flooding message or configuration. The following are examples of handling a flooding message according to a restriction: including an indication of the restriction in the flooding message and transmitting the flooding message with the indication included in the flooding message; processing a received flooding message where the restriction is satisfied and otherwise discarding the flooding message; or transmitting a received flooding message where the restriction is satisfied, to all neighboring nodes or only neighboring nodes at which the restriction is satisfied.