Message Fragmentation for Source Routing in ZigBee Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In packet-based communication systems like ZigBee wireless networks, large messages cannot be efficiently sent due to limitations in available space within packets, especially when source routing changes, causing fragmentation issues and potential packet transmission failures.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where the sender sets the fragment size of a message smaller than the available packet space, allowing for flexible adjustment as the source route changes, ensuring that subsequent fragments can still be sent even when the available space shrinks, by utilizing a free space within the packet to accommodate increased network headers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fragment size is set to maximize the use of available packet space, then transmission efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates when source routing changes and available space shrinks
Solution Approach 1:
The sender determines and sets the fragment size before transmission based on initial available space calculations, accounting for potential future increases in header size due to source routing changes. This preliminary sizing ensures that fragments will fit in packets even when routing paths change and headers expand.
Solution Approach 2:
The fragment size is deliberately set smaller than the maximum available space in the packet, creating a buffer or cushion. This cushion accommodates potential increases in header size when source routing changes, preventing packet overflow and transmission failures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fragment size is set smaller than available packet space, then adaptability to source routing changes is improved, but transmission efficiency deteriorates due to unused space
Solution Approach 1:
The fragment size parameter is optimized to balance two competing requirements: being small enough to accommodate header size increases from source routing changes, while being large enough to maximize the use of available packet space and maintain transmission efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If all fragments are given the same size, then reassembly simplicity is improved, but flexibility to accommodate variable packet space deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A uniform fragment size is determined in advance based on the smallest expected available space across all packets. This preliminary determination simplifies reassembly (all fragments same size) while ensuring adaptability (fits all packets even when space varies).
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein provide a method of fragmenting a large message into, for example, numbered packets for sending the message in a packet based communication system, such as in a ZigBee wireless network. Each packet may have a predetermined size and may include a MAC address, a network header of a variable size, and fragmented message data. The fragmented message data can be configured to be smaller than the available space in the packet so that the packet can be sent, for example, when the size of the header increases.