Variable-sized TDMA Timeslots for Wireless Mesh Network Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless mesh networks, devices with varying communication speed capabilities face challenges in power management due to the need for uniform timeslots, which can lead to inefficient power usage and reduced battery life, especially in battery-powered nodes that must handle traffic for multiple descendants.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of frames with variable-sized timeslots, where each timeslot is composed of equal-length increments, allowing durations to be adjusted based on the communication speed of assigned devices, enabling faster nodes to communicate more efficiently while accommodating slower nodes without being limited by the slowest device's requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If uniform timeslots are used for all devices in the network, then network synchronization is simplified, but power efficiency deteriorates for devices with different communication speed capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timeslot structure into multiple equal-length increments that can be combined to form timeslots of different sizes. This allows the network to maintain a common time reference (simplifying synchronization) while creating customized timeslot durations for different device pairs based on their communication speed capabilities (improving power efficiency).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic timeslot sizing where the duration of each timeslot is adjusted based on the communication speed requirements of the devices involved. Faster devices can use shorter timeslots (fewer increments) while slower devices use longer timeslots (more increments), allowing the system to adapt to different device capabilities without sacrificing synchronization.
2Reliability
If timeslot duration is extended to accommodate slower devices, then all devices can communicate reliably, but faster devices waste time and energy waiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different timeslot durations to different device pairs based on their specific communication speed capabilities. Each device pair receives a customized timeslot size (composed of appropriate numbers of increments) matched to their needs, rather than applying a uniform timeslot size to all pairs. This ensures reliable communication for each pair without causing time waste for others.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the network uses a single timeslot size based on the slowest device, then all devices can be accommodated, but the number of available timeslots decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the timeslot into smaller equal-length increments, the patent enables the creation of timeslots of various sizes by combining different numbers of increments. This segmentation allows the network to accommodate devices with different speeds using appropriate combinations of increments, while maximizing the total number of timeslots that can fit within each frame period.
4Device complexity
If uniform timeslots are used, then scheduling is simpler, but battery life is reduced for devices handling traffic for multiple descendants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timeslot sizing where parent nodes handling traffic for multiple descendants can be assigned longer timeslots (composed of more increments) to accommodate their higher communication demands. This dynamic adjustment reduces the number of times the parent node's radio needs to turn on and off, thereby extending battery life while maintaining manageable scheduling through the increment-based structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless mesh network uses communication frames that can include timeslots of different sizes depending on communication speed capabilities of the devices assigned to the timeslots. The communication frame is divided into timeslot increments of equal length. The timeslots are made up of one or more timeslot increments.