Dynamic Listen-Only Period for Trickle Algorithm Update Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Trickle algorithm for propagating updates in multi-hop wireless networks faces delays due to a mandatory listen-only period, which increases communication delay but reduces propagation speed, while eliminating this period leads to excessive redundant transmissions.

Innovation Solution

Adapting the minimum size of the listen-only period based on the receipt of an inconsistent message to quickly propagate updates when new information is present and control transmissions when no new updates are available, thereby balancing traffic load and response times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a mandatory listen-only period is implemented in the Trickle algorithm, then redundant transmissions are reduced and scalability is improved, but propagation speed decreases and communication delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of transmissionsVSAvoidpropagation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the listen-only period dynamic by adjusting its duration based on network conditions. When update information is detected, the listen-only period is reduced or eliminated, allowing immediate retransmission and faster propagation. When no updates are present, the full listen-only period is maintained to prevent redundant transmissions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between reducing transmissions and maintaining propagation speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of listen-only period duration based on the presence of update information. By detecting inconsistent messages indicating updates, the system transitions from a fixed listen-only period to a variable duration, allowing the parameter to be optimized for different operational states (update propagation vs. stable operation).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the listen-only period is reduced to increase propagation speed, then update dissemination becomes faster, but redundant transmissions increase and scalability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepropagation speedVSAvoidnumber of redundant transmissions
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the listen-only period duration based on whether update information is detected in the network. When updates are present, the period is minimized to enable fast propagation. When no updates are detected, the full period is enforced to suppress redundant transmissions. This dynamic behavior allows the system to optimize for speed when needed and for transmission reduction when stable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed listen-only period is used to control traffic load, then transmission stability is improved, but response time to propagate updates worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic load stabilityVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed listen-only period into a dynamic parameter that adapts to network conditions. By monitoring for update information (inconsistent messages), the system can temporarily reduce or eliminate the listen-only period when updates are detected, thereby reducing response time while maintaining traffic load stability during normal operation through the full period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3114883B1Method and apparatus for propagating and maintaining update information
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3114883B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3114883B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3114883B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention proposes an improvement to increase the speed at which a Trickle algorithm can propagate update information in a multi-hop network, while still controlling the number of redundant transmissions and ensuring scalability of the algorithm. It does this by intelligently adapting the size of a listen-only period (t1, t2), depending on the fact if a node has recently received an update or not.