Underwater Network Node Routing and Retransmission Policy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater sensor networks face challenges in reliable communication due to the attenuation of electromagnetic waves, resulting in high propagation delays and limited transmission bandwidth, with existing solutions like flooding and retransmission techniques either increasing energy consumption or network latency.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic and adaptive method that combines the selection of relay nodes with retransmission policies using a decentralized self-learning algorithm, allowing each node to optimize the number and set of neighbors for packet transmission and the maximum number of retransmissions based on local information, enabling operation under different protocols across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flooding technique is used to maximize packet delivery likelihood, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and network traffic increases causing network collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial flooding by limiting the number of times a packet is retransmitted (maximum retransmission counter) and by selectively forwarding packets only to certain neighbor nodes based on local network conditions, rather than flooding to all nodes indefinitely. This partial action maintains reliability while controlling energy consumption and network traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptation by allowing each node to adjust its forwarding behavior based on local information about network conditions. The maximum retransmission counter and neighbor selection are not fixed but adapt dynamically to changing network states, enabling the system to balance reliability and energy consumption according to actual conditions.
2Reliability
If flooding technique is used to maximize packet delivery likelihood, then reliability is improved, but network traffic increases causing network collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent limits network traffic by imposing a maximum retransmission counter and by selectively forwarding packets only to certain neighbor nodes rather than all nodes. This partial forwarding approach reduces the total quantity of packet transmissions while maintaining adequate delivery likelihood.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables each node to make local decisions about packet forwarding based on local network conditions observed in its vicinity. Each node independently determines which neighbor nodes to forward to and how many times to retransmit, creating locally optimized forwarding behavior that reduces overall network traffic while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If maximum number of retransmissions is increased to improve delivery likelihood, then reliability is improved, but network latency increases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the maximum retransmission counter dynamic rather than fixed, allowing each node to adjust it based on local network conditions. When network conditions are good, fewer retransmissions are needed, reducing latency. When conditions are poor, more retransmissions are allowed to maintain reliability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between reliability and latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of maximum retransmissions from a static value to a dynamically adjustable value based on observed network conditions. Each node monitors local conditions and adjusts its retransmission parameter accordingly, enabling the system to optimize the trade-off between delivery likelihood and network latency in real-time.
4Reliability
If maximum number of retransmissions is increased to improve delivery likelihood, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of the maximum retransmission counter based on local network conditions observed by each node. When network conditions are favorable, fewer retransmissions are performed, conserving energy. When conditions are unfavorable, more retransmissions are allowed to maintain reliability. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the retransmission parameter from fixed to variable, allowing each node to adapt the maximum number of retransmissions based on local observations of network conditions. This parameter adaptation enables the system to minimize energy consumption while maintaining adequate delivery likelihood by performing retransmissions only when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
The method of the invention envisages determining, for each packet that is to be transmitted/retransmitted, through an LLC communication protocol, which is the top sublayer of the datalink layer of the ISO-OSI model, (LLC logic) autonomously, node by node, the specific communication apparatus to be used from the ones available on the single node, to which subset of the nodes said packet is to be transmitted (routing logic), i.e., the number and the set of neighbouring nodes to which it is to be transmitted, the specific communication apparatus to be used from the multiple ones that may be available, and the maximum number of retransmissions to be made, by using a decentralized self-learning algorithm that enables each node to learn and select dynamically the best operating mode, according to the number of transmissions already made.