Wireless Mesh Network Distance Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Creating a wireless mesh network among proximately located wireless devices is challenging due to the limited physical space in test environments, where all devices are within communication range, making it difficult to simulate real-world distances and optimal packet delivery paths.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves programming wireless devices with position information in the form of Cartesian coordinates, which allows them to calculate distances and discard or process packets based on predefined ranges, simulating real-world scenarios by configuring which neighbors are processed or discarded, and modifying signal strength indications to select appropriate parent nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless devices are placed in close physical proximity for testing, then device density and testing efficiency are improved, but the ability to simulate real-world distances and optimal packet delivery paths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of real-world spatial relationships by programming position information (Cartesian coordinates) into wireless devices. These virtual positions are stored in the position information field of MAC addresses, allowing devices to simulate realistic distance metrics and routing decisions even when physically co-located in a test bed environment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the position parameter from physical reality to virtual representation. By changing the position information from actual physical coordinates to programmed Cartesian coordinates, the system enables distance calculations that reflect real-world scenarios while devices remain in close physical proximity for efficient testing
2Ease of operation
If all wireless devices are within communication range in a confined test environment, then ease of network setup is improved, but the ability to test optimal path selection and packet delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies real-world spatial relationships into virtual position data stored in MAC addresses. This allows devices to maintain simple physical placement for easy setup while the virtual position information enables sophisticated routing protocols to select optimal paths based on simulated real-world distances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces position information as an intermediary layer between physical device placement and routing decisions. This intermediary virtual position data allows the system to decouple physical proximity from routing optimization, enabling test devices to simulate realistic network behavior and path selection
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless device receives a packet from a sender node according to a routing protocol and determines a position information of the sender node. The wireless device calculates a distance to the sender node from the wireless device and discards the packet if the distance is outside of a range. Otherwise, the packet is processed according to the routing protocol. As a result, the approach may be suited to testing type environments where the wireless devices are proximately placed and yet one may wish to simulate real-world distances between the wireless devices.