Wireless Network Timeout Control for Duty-Cycle-Limited Nodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless networks with low data transmission rates, such as LPWANs, the limited communicative ability of target nodes due to restricted duty cycles and recovery periods can lead to unnecessary message resending and increased network traffic, as existing timeout periods are not accurately set, causing confusion and delays.

Innovation Solution

A method is proposed to dynamically set a timeout period based on characteristics of previous uplink messages from the target node, such as duty cycle restrictions and transmission times, to accurately determine when a response is expected, thereby avoiding unnecessary message resending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a fixed timeout period is used for receiving response messages, then the communication protocol is simple to implement, but unnecessary message resending occurs and network traffic increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication protocol complexityVSAvoidnetwork traffic
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The timeout period is changed from a fixed value to a dynamic value that adapts based on the target node's communication history and duty cycle status. The system calculates whether the target node is in a restricted period by analyzing timestamps of previous uplink messages and adjusts the timeout period accordingly, allowing it to extend when the node is restricted and shorten when unrestricted, thereby optimizing network traffic without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by monitoring the target node's uplink message transmission patterns and duty cycle restrictions. By analyzing the timestamps and characteristics of received uplink messages, the system determines the node's communication restrictions and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the timeout period for expecting response messages, preventing unnecessary resending

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If a fixed timeout period is used for receiving response messages, then the system is easy to operate, but communication delays increase due to incorrect timeout assumptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidcommunication delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The timeout period transitions from a static fixed value to a dynamic calculated value based on the target node's actual communication state. The system determines whether the node is in a restricted period by analyzing previous uplink message timestamps and duty cycle parameters, then adjusts the timeout period accordingly, reducing communication delays while maintaining operational simplicity through automated calculation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the target node's communication pattern and duty cycle restrictions before setting the timeout period. By calculating the restricted period duration based on previous uplink messages and duty cycle parameters in advance, the system prepares an optimized timeout value that prevents both premature timeout and excessive waiting, reducing communication delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the timeout period does not account for duty cycle restrictions, then the communication protocol is simple, but message resending increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimeout calculation complexityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the target node's uplink message transmission timestamps and analyzing its duty cycle restriction status. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust the timeout period, ensuring it accounts for the node's restricted periods and preventing unnecessary message resending, thereby improving communication efficiency without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically analyzing the target node's communication patterns and duty cycle restrictions to determine the appropriate timeout period. The calculating unit autonomously computes the restricted period duration based on previous uplink messages and duty cycle parameters, adjusting the timeout without external intervention, which improves communication efficiency while keeping the protocol relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3864889B1Communicating in a wireless network
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3864889B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3864889B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3864889B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Systems for communicating with a target node, e.g. a particular device, of a wireless network. In particular, there is a concept of accurately identifying a timeout period during which the target node is expected to acknowledge the communication. There is a dynamic timeout period, the length of which is based upon one or more characteristics of at least one most recent or previous communication from the target node.