Wireless Network Topology Control via Link Cost Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing topology control methods in wireless ad-hoc networks face challenges in balancing network connectivity, energy efficiency, and capacity enhancement, as they often require trade-offs between reducing transmission power and maintaining network stability, especially in dense environments where intermediate hops increase and fairness in channel access is compromised.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that calculates link costs and adjusts transmission power based on link conditions, using a combination of link adaptation values and path loss measurements to optimize routing decisions and power settings, ensuring fair channel access and network stability through hysteresis techniques and adaptive power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If transmission power is reduced to save energy and enhance network capacity, then energy efficiency and network capacity improve, but network connectivity and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmission power adjustment where nodes continuously monitor link quality metrics (signal strength, packet loss rate) and adaptively change their transmission power levels. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain reliable connectivity when needed while reducing power consumption during favorable conditions, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and network stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes transmission power parameters based on measured link conditions and calculated link costs. By adjusting the power parameter dynamically according to network state, the system achieves both energy savings and maintained connectivity, as power is reduced only when link quality permits
2Productivity
If transmission power is reduced to increase spatial reuse and network capacity, then network capacity improves, but the number of intermediate hops increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary routing calculations that incorporate link cost metrics before data transmission. By pre-evaluating multiple paths and selecting optimal routes based on link costs (which reflect transmission power requirements and link quality), the system minimizes the number of hops needed while still benefiting from reduced transmission power, thus achieving both capacity enhancement and time efficiency
3Productivity
If transmission power is reduced to enhance network capacity, then network capacity improves, but fairness in channel access is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where nodes monitor channel access success rates, packet delivery ratios, and link quality metrics. This feedback information is used to adjust transmission power and routing decisions, ensuring that nodes with poorer link conditions receive appropriate power adjustments to maintain fair channel access, while still achieving overall network capacity enhancement through coordinated power management
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for performing topology control in a wireless network (100). The system and method operate to enable a node (102-1) to determine the link cost of a link between itself and another node (102-2), based on the number of nodes (102, 106, 107) that would be affected by message transmission by the node (102) and the other node (102-2), and the number of nodes (102, 106, 107) that would be affected by message reception by the node (102-1) and the other node (102-2). The number of nodes (102, 106, 107) affected by the message transmission and message reception at the node (102-1) and the other node (102-2) is affected by the transmit power of the control messages sent by the node (102-1) and the other node (102-2). The node (102-1) further bases routing decisions on the calculated link costs.