Unidirectional Network Pathway Overhead Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional M2M networks experience high operational overhead due to 'spamming' of packet copies and use of bi-directional pathways, leading to inefficiencies and increased latency, especially in non-obligatory node networks where reliability and error management are not optimized.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a relation between desired reliability and channel error for each hop in unidirectional pathways to determine the optimal number of packet copies and acknowledging packets, thereby optimizing overhead costs by using unidirectional communication paths only when the total overhead is below a predetermined threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packet copies are 'spammed' and bi-directional pathways are used in conventional M2M networks, then reliability is improved, but operational overhead and latency increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the acknowledgement mechanism from the traditional bidirectional communication flow and implements it as a separate, optimized unidirectional process. By separating the data transmission path from the acknowledgement path and optimizing each independently, the system achieves reliable communication with reduced overhead. The acknowledgement is handled as a distinct operational element rather than being embedded in the main communication flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the number of packet copies transmitted based on calculated overhead thresholds and reliability requirements. Rather than using a fixed 'spamming' approach, the system dynamically determines the optimal number of copies (N) by evaluating channel error rates and overhead costs, allowing adaptive optimization of reliability versus overhead trade-offs.
2Reliability
If multiple copies of packets are transmitted to ensure reliability, then communication reliability improves, but network traffic and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of packet transmission from a fixed multi-copy approach to a dynamically calculated optimal number of copies. By introducing parameters such as channel error rate (ε), desired reliability (S), and overhead threshold (Θ), the system calculates the precise number of copies needed rather than transmitting excessive packets. This parameter-driven approach minimizes network traffic while ensuring reliability requirements are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where channel error rates and overhead measurements are continuously monitored and used to adjust the number of packet copies transmitted. The system receives feedback about actual channel conditions and overhead costs, then adapts its transmission strategy accordingly, sending only the necessary number of copies to achieve desired reliability without excessive traffic.
3Reliability
If bidirectional communication pathways are used for data and acknowledgements, then communication completeness is ensured, but latency and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication process into distinct phases: data transmission phase and acknowledgement phase. By separating these functions and allowing them to operate in different directions optimally, the system reduces overall latency. The data can be transmitted unidirectionally to the target, while acknowledgements follow a separate optimized path, eliminating the need for synchronous bidirectional exchange at each step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of overhead and optimal copy numbers before actual transmission begins. By pre-calculating the necessary parameters based on channel conditions and reliability requirements, the system avoids iterative adjustments and retransmissions during communication, thereby reducing overall latency while ensuring communication completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes establishing, for each hop in pathways of a network, a relation between a desired reliability and channel error. Based on the established relations, a maximum number of copies of packets to send from a source in the network to a target in the network is determined. An overhead associated with sending packets from the source to the target in the network is determined for each of the hops, and a first sum of such overheads is also determined. An overhead associated with sending an acknowledgement packet to the source is determined for each of the hops. A second sum is a sum of the overheads associated with sending the acknowledgement packet to the source. In response to a determination that a sum of the first sum and the second sum is less than a predetermined threshold value, the pathways are used.