Wireless Access Node Airtime Optimization via Neighbor Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless mesh networks, existing technologies face challenges in determining optimal transmission power levels and data rates that balance successful packet reception with minimizing interference across links, leading to inefficient use of network airtime and capacity.
Innovation Solution
Each access node determines a neighbor function based on the number of neighboring nodes affected by its signals at varying power levels, calculating transmission power levels and data rates that minimize an air-time metric, which accounts for both the number of affected nodes and transmission time per packet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transmission power levels are increased, then the probability of successful packet reception is improved, but the interference with other wireless communication links increases, resulting in reduced network-wide airtime and overall network capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts transmission power levels and data rates as variables to optimize the balance between packet reception reliability and network capacity. By changing these parameters based on neighbor function calculations and air-time metrics, the system resolves the contradiction between using higher power for reliability and limiting power to maintain network capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where access nodes continuously monitor and calculate the neighbor function based on affected neighboring nodes, then use this information to adjust transmission parameters. This closed-loop feedback allows the system to adapt power levels and data rates in real-time, balancing reliability and capacity requirements.
2Productivity
If transmit data rates are increased, then the use of airtime becomes more efficient and network capacity increases, but the signal-to-noise ratio requirement increases, resulting in higher probability of packet loss and retransmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent treats data rate as a dynamic parameter that is optimized alongside power level. By calculating the optimal data rate based on the neighbor function and air-time metric, the system achieves efficient airtime utilization while maintaining acceptable packet reception reliability through coordinated parameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes data rate selection dynamic rather than static, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions. The data rate is adjusted based on real-time calculations of neighbor function and transmission requirements, enabling the system to optimize both airtime efficiency and reliability under varying conditions.
3Area of stationary object
If transmission power levels are increased to cover more area, then the transmission range is extended, but the interference with neighboring nodes increases, reducing available airtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by calculating the neighbor function specific to each access node's local environment, considering only the neighboring nodes affected by its transmission. This localized approach allows each node to optimize its power level based on its specific spatial context, extending coverage area while minimizing local interference and airtime loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts transmission power levels as a variable parameter to optimize the trade-off between coverage area and airtime. By changing power levels based on the calculated neighbor function and air-time metric, the system extends transmission range only when necessary while minimizing the resulting interference and airtime consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of characterizing transmission of a node of a wireless network is disclosed. The method includes determining a neighbor function based on how many neighboring nodes are affected by a neighbor function based on how many neighboring nodes are affected by signals transmitted from the node at varying power levels. For a range of transmission path losses between the node and neighboring nodes, transmission power levels and transmission data rates are calculated that minimize an air-time metric, wherein the air-time metric is dependent on the neighbor function and an air-time occupied by transmission packets.