WSN Gateway Authentication via Telecommunication Network

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) with multiple gateways, communication between gateways leads to increased loads, causing delays in data reporting and affecting normal operation, as existing systems typically rely on a single gateway for data forwarding and management, resulting in congestion and bearing pressure.

Innovation Solution

A method where each gateway in the WSN stores network information about other gateways, allowing an initiating gateway to determine a target gateway for telecommunication network connection through authentication, using symmetric-key-based protocols to establish and secure communication, thereby distributing the communication load and ensuring security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple gateways are deployed in WSN to expand coverage and capability, then the network coverage and service capability are improved, but the communication load between gateways increases causing delays and congestion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoiddata reporting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a telecommunication network as an intermediary medium for gateway communication. Instead of gateways communicating directly through WSN which causes congestion, they use the telecommunication network as a mediator to exchange authentication information and establish connections, thereby reducing the communication load on the WSN infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication path into two distinct parts: authentication phase using telecommunication network and data transmission phase using WSN. This segmentation allows different types of traffic to use appropriate networks, reducing overall congestion and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If gateways communicate directly within WSN to establish connections, then the communication process is simple, but the communication load on WSN increases causing congestion and delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication establishment complexityVSAvoiddata reporting delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs authentication and connection establishment in advance through the telecommunication network before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary action ensures that when data needs to be transmitted, the communication path is already established, avoiding delays during active data reporting phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single gateway is used for data forwarding and management, then the system is simple to manage, but the gateway experiences congestion and bearing pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem management complexityVSAvoidgateway operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the gateway functions by introducing multiple gateways that can independently handle different data flows. Each gateway maintains its own authentication credentials and can operate autonomously, distributing the management burden while improving overall system reliability through redundancy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2736301B1Method for communication between gateways in WSN, initiator gateway, and target gateway
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 ZTE CORP
  • EP2736301B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2736301B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for communication between gateways in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), comprising: in a WSN configured with a plurality of gateways, an initiating gateway determining a target gateway with which a telecommunication network communication connection is to be established; the initiating gateway and the target gateway performing authentication, after the authentication is successful, establishing the telecommunication network communication connection between the initiating gateway and the target gateway. The present invention also discloses an initiating gateway and a target gateway in a WSN. Via solutions of the present invention, the increase of loads of the WSN caused by communication between gateways inside the WSN can be avoided, and the security of communication between gateways is guaranteed.