TSCH Multi-Channel Beaconing for Faster Network Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Time Slotted Channel Hopping (TSCH) networks experience long beaconing periods due to constraints that limit multiple nodes from simultaneously transmitting beacons on different channel offsets, leading to inefficient network synchronization and communication reliability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multi-channel beaconing by distributing beacons in both the time and frequency domains, allowing nodes to transmit beacons on multiple channels, thereby reducing the minimum period between consecutive beacons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nodes transmit beacons on a default channel offset to avoid collision, then beacon transmission reliability is improved, but beaconing period becomes significantly long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends beacon transmission from a single channel dimension to multiple channel dimensions. Nodes transmit beacons on different channel offsets simultaneously, transforming the problem from time-based sequential transmission to space-based parallel transmission across the frequency domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beacon transmission function across multiple channel offsets. Instead of one node using one channel, multiple nodes are assigned different channel offsets within the same slotframe, dividing the beaconing function into parallel segments that operate simultaneously.
2Productivity
If multiple nodes transmit beacons simultaneously on different channel offsets, then beaconing period is reduced, but channel collision may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel offset assignment where nodes can be assigned different channel offsets for different timeslots within a slotframe. This dynamic allocation allows the system to adapt and avoid collisions while maximizing parallel beacon transmission opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where nodes monitor beacon transmissions and adjust channel offset assignments to avoid collisions. The slotframe structure provides a feedback loop for optimizing beacon distribution across channels based on observed network conditions.
3Speed
If beacon bandwidth is increased to reduce beaconing period, then synchronization efficiency is improved, but available data bandwidth decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves beacon transmissions into the frequency domain by utilizing multiple channel offsets, rather than increasing time bandwidth. This allows parallel beacon transmissions without consuming additional time resources, thereby preserving data bandwidth while improving synchronization speed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for multi-channel beaconing in a network comprising for each network node of a plurality of network nodes: determining a link or a pseudo random sequence of links that identifies when and on what channel the network node is scheduled to transmit beacons; receiving the schedule for when and on which channel the network node should listen for beacons from one or more neighbor nodes of the plurality of network nodes; transmitting beacons based the established schedule; and listening for beacons from one or more neighbor nodes based on the schedule received from these neighbor nodes.