Wireless Node Joining via Beacon Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large-scale wireless network commissioning, multiple nodes attempting to join simultaneously cause channel congestion, leading to failed joining attempts, as they cannot coordinate their joining times due to lack of direct communication.
Innovation Solution
A method where joining nodes listen to beacon messages from existing network nodes to assess congestion likelihood, adjusting their waiting times dynamically to avoid simultaneous joining, thereby reducing channel congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a random waiting time is set for joining nodes to differentiate their joining time, then channel congestion is reduced, but the maximum waiting time becomes problematic for large-scale networks requiring tens of seconds or more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having joining nodes monitor beacon messages from existing network nodes during their waiting period. Nodes analyze the number of received beacon messages to assess channel congestion conditions, then dynamically adjust their joining decisions based on this feedback, resolving the contradiction between reducing congestion and minimizing waiting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the waiting time dynamic rather than static. Instead of using a fixed maximum waiting time, nodes continuously monitor beacon messages and adjust their waiting duration based on real-time channel conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying network sizes and congestion levels.
2Reliability
If the maximum waiting time is set to tens of seconds for large-scale networks, then joining nodes can coordinate better, but small networks experience excessive waiting time and halted-like scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts waiting behavior based on network size. Small networks with fewer beacon messages allow nodes to join quickly, while large-scale networks with many beacon messages naturally extend the coordination period, eliminating the need for pre-configuration and avoiding halted-like scenarios in small networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of waiting time based on the number of received beacon messages. Instead of using a fixed time parameter, the system uses the beacon message count as a dynamic parameter that automatically scales with network size, improving both reliability and productivity across different network scales.
3Productivity
If multiple nodes attempt to join the wireless network simultaneously during commissioning, then network formation is faster, but channel congestion occurs leading to failed joining attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having nodes perform channel assessment through beacon message monitoring before actually attempting to join the network. This preliminary check allows nodes to identify congestion conditions in advance and adjust their joining timing, preventing simultaneous join attempts that would cause channel congestion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is outlined for controlling a node to a join a wireless network, which increases the speed of the wireless network commissioning procedure by reducing the chance of congestion. This is achieved by differentiating the joining time of nodes attempting to join the wireless network. Nodes indirectly communicate by transmitting beacon request messages to nodes of the wireless network, which results in the transmission of beacon messages by nodes of the wireless network. These beacon messages can be received by all nodes attempting to join the wireless network. Therefore, the beacon messages can be utilized as an indicator for nodes attempting to join the wireless network as to the number of other nodes attempting to join the wireless network. Based on this indication, the node can be controlled to wait for a further length of time, or to join the wireless network.