A centralized, multi-nodal communication model associated with congested network environments

Abstract

Wireless communication standard like Wi-Fi and the GSM/2G/3G standards have become widely used and accepted standard. Unfortunately, these standards of communication are not always the best methods for all applications that require wireless transmission. In an interconnected network environment, commands that established interactions among the interconnected network nodes is usually programmed to represent the action necessary to invoke the task required. When this command is on transmission session, they are many issues that need to be carefully addressed to ensure the smooth transmission of the command from one networking node to another in order to undertake the task required. Especially if the communication session was not abiding by the general communication standard. These command themselves are data packets, hence the number of individual commands for various tasks add up to the data packet in transmission session. Often researchers and those who engage in rapid prototyping of products in the industry have to rely on other means of wireless communication model than the general standard. The aim of this research is to develop a software implementable communication model capable for efficient delivery of packet data to and fro. The research methodological approach involves formulating algorithms, developing a prototype, and experimental validation. The algorithmic design dwells on the proposed communication model. Autonomous Guided Vehicle models are developed as the prototype for implementing and evaluating the algorithm proposed. The key issue with the prototype development lies with the choice of a transmitter, intended for use in the industrial and product development context. Despite the availability of wide range of transmitters, like, the ever popular Wi-Fi standard, ZigBee wireless communication modules to Bluetooth modules, this study, select APC range of transmitters for the development of the prototype. The experimental validation exerts quantitative data and constraints of the transmission medium. This has been obtained through field experiments measuring transmission performance (rate/speed) from different scenarios involving a master and slaves’ nodes, with given technical constraints. Sufficient amount of tests was performed in order to receive a reasonable quantitative amount of feedback. The ideal transmission rates at the frequency of 434 MHz or similar, and at a baud rate of 19200 bps was found to be 25 milliseconds in between each 56 byte data packets. The range of distance between the transmitter and the receiver is 0.5m to 970m. The transmitter had a 1km range limitation and since the applications for which the communication model is developed normally did not require long distances, the transmitter’s range limitation was sufficient. Further experiment validated this transmission session parameters values. The proposed techniques can be implemented as a logistic and automation solutions in the manufacturing industry.