Wireless Network Link Management Apparatus Fragmentation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, fragmentation of communication links occurs, leading to inefficient use of communication resources and preventing the setting of new links even when empty slots are available, resulting in decreased resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A management apparatus and method that divides existing communication links into multiple links with different intervals and priorities, allowing for more flexible assignment of communication resources and preventing fragmentation by combining and exchanging links to optimize resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If communication links are frequently reset to exchange paths and bandwidth, then communication flexibility is improved, but fragmentation of communication links increases and resource utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidresource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores multiple candidate communication links with different intervals before they are needed. When a link reset is required, the management apparatus can immediately select from pre-prepared candidates rather than creating links on-demand, reducing the frequency of resets and preventing fragmentation while maintaining communication flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of link intervals by maintaining multiple communication links with different intervals simultaneously. This allows the system to adapt to varying communication needs (changing flexibility) without requiring frequent resets, as links with appropriate intervals are already available in the candidate pool, thereby preventing fragmentation and improving resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If communication links are set to prevent overlap, then communication reliability is improved, but empty slots cannot be utilized and resource efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidresource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the communication resource space by creating multiple candidate links with different intervals. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable non-overlapping links while also having reserved candidate links ready to fill empty slots, thus improving resource efficiency without compromising the reliability of active communication links.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Candidate communication links are preliminarily calculated and stored with different intervals before being needed. When empty slots are detected, pre-prepared candidate links can be immediately assigned to utilize these slots, improving resource efficiency while maintaining the reliability guarantee that links are properly configured before activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple communication links with different intervals are maintained, then fragmentation is reduced and resource utilization is improved, but management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidmanagement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management apparatus automatically performs the complex task of calculating, storing, and selecting candidate communication links with different intervals. This self-service approach handles the management complexity internally, allowing the system to maintain multiple links with different intervals and improve resource utilization without requiring complex external management or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Speed

If candidate communication links are pre-calculated and stored, then link setting speed is improved and fragmentation is prevented, but storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink setting speedVSAvoidstorage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes storage requirements by varying the interval parameter of candidate links. Instead of storing numerous links with similar parameters, the system stores a diversified set of candidate links with different intervals, which reduces the total number of candidates needed while still providing sufficient options to prevent fragmentation and enable fast link setting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2961213B1Management apparatus and managing method
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2961213B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2961213B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2961213B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A management apparatus for managing a wireless network includes a storage storing unset communication links other than previously set communication links for a wireless communication via the wireless network among previously prepared communication links and a manager configured to divide each communication link stored in the storage into a plurality of communication links and to set the plurality of communication links in accordance with a setting request of communication links.