Signal repeater equipment operable in low power repeater operation mode

Abstract

The present invention relates to a signal repeater device (308), which is operable in a conventional repeater operation mode and in a low-power repeater operation mode that requires less operation power than the conventional repeater operation mode, and comprises: a signal processing unit (316), which performs a signal receiving function and a signal relaying function in the conventional repeater operation mode; and an operation control unit (318), which is configured to determine state information indicating that the associated external transceiver devices are respectively operating in the low-power transceiver operation mode, and based on the determined state information, when it is determined that each associated external wireless transceiver device is operating in the low-power transceiver operation, operate the signal processing unit in the low-power repeater operation mode by turning off the signal relaying function, thereby reducing the power consumption of the signal repeater device, and when a predetermined repeater wake-up signal is received, switch to the operation of the signal processing unit in the conventional repeater operation mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is directed to a signal repeater device, a method for operating a signal repeater device, a wireless communication arrangement, and a computer program. Background Art

[0002] US 7535378 B2 describes a communication arrangement in the form of a meter reading system that enables data to be transferred between a utility meter end node and a reader device. A particular embodiment of this arrangement includes a signal repeater device that can operate in a sleep mode when it is not required to obtain data from the end node. In the case of monthly reading, the signal repeater device remains dormant for most of the month and then turns on and acquires its end node around the reading time.

[0003] WO 2009 / 003319 A1 discloses controlling a relay station in a base station in a wireless relay network when in a sleep mode. Summary of the invention

[0004] It would be beneficial to enable more flexible low power operation of signal repeater devices.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a signal repeater device for wireless signals is presented. The signal repeater device comprises a signal processing unit, the signal processing unit being configured to perform a signal reception function, the signal reception function involving the reception of a wireless input signal that transmits payload information or control information between an external network gateway device and one or more external wireless transceiver devices associated with the signal repeater device, and the signal processing unit being configured to perform a signal reception function and a signal relay function in a conventional repeater operation mode, the signal relay function involving the retransmission of an amplified wireless output signal that carries payload information or control information.

[0006] The signal repeater device further includes an operation control unit configured to operate the signal processing unit in a normal repeater operation mode and in a low power repeater operation mode in which the signal relay function is turned off, to determine state information indicating that the associated external transceiver devices are respectively operating in the low power transceiver operation mode, and to turn off the signal relay function when it is determined according to the state information that each of the one or more associated external wireless transceiver devices is operating in the low power transceiver operation mode. When the signal processing unit is operating in the low power repeater operation mode, the operation control unit is configured to wait for reception of a predetermined repeater wake-up signal, and when the predetermined repeater wake-up signal is received, switch to operation of the signal processing unit in the normal repeater operation mode.

[0007] The signal repeater device of the first aspect enables flexibility under low-power repeater operation because it is configured to shut down the signal relay function when it is determined based on status information that each of one or more associated external wireless transceiver devices is operating in a low-power transceiver operating mode, and therefore, wireless signals for communicating with a network gateway device are not expected to be provided. In addition, when the operation control unit operates the signal repeater device in the low-power repeater operating mode, any transmission by the network gateway device for communicating with any wireless transceiver device associated with the signal repeater device, or vice versa, will cause the operation control unit of the signal repeater device to switch to a conventional repeater operating mode. Therefore, the power reduction capability achieved is fully adapted to the current communication requirements of the wireless transceiver devices associated with the signal repeater device.

[0008] In the following, embodiments of the signal repeater device of the first aspect of the present invention will be presented.

[0009] Suitably, the repeater wake-up signal is a dedicated signal used only for wake-up purposes. Thus, the signal repeater device may receive the repeater wake-up signal from any associated wireless transceiver device or from a network gateway device, depending on the requirements of the application.

[0010] However, in other embodiments, the repeater wake-up signal is not a dedicated wake-up signal. Instead, the operation control unit is configured to interpret any wireless signal provided by the network gateway device or any associated wireless transceiver device and directed to the corresponding other device as a wake-up signal, regardless of the payload information or any additional control information transmitted by it. Therefore, when in the low-power repeater operation mode, any communication attempt between the network gateway device and any network transceiver device associated with the signal repeater device will cause the operation control unit to switch to the operation of the signal repeater device in the conventional repeater operation mode.

[0011] In one embodiment of the signal repeater device of the first aspect, the operation control unit is configured to trigger providing a wireless transceiver wake-up signal upon receiving a repeater wake-up signal, for instructing at least one external wireless transceiver device to shut down the low-power transceiver operation mode and return to operation in a normal transceiver operation mode.

[0012] In an embodiment, the radio wake-up signal is directed to all associated radio transceiver devices. In another embodiment, the radio wake-up signal is directed to a predetermined subset of the associated radio transceiver devices, thereby enabling selective wake-up of only some of the associated radio transceiver devices.

[0013] In an embodiment, the wireless signals are exchanged according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol. Suitable wireless communication protocols include, but are not limited to, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, and ZigBee.

[0014] The repeater wake-up signal is also a wireless signal appropriately. In some embodiments, the repeater wake-up signal complies with the same wireless communication protocol as the wireless communication protocol used to exchange wireless signals. Therefore, it is detected using the signal receiving function of the signal processing unit. When operating in the low-power repeater operating mode, by allowing additional interrupts of the signal receiving function of the signal processing unit, it is possible to further reduce power consumption. Therefore, in order to save power in such an embodiment, the operation control unit is appropriately configured to control the operation of the signal processing unit to perform the signal receiving function in a duty cycle manner in the low-power repeater operating mode. Therefore, the signal receiving function is only performed during a predetermined time span, appropriately performed in a periodic manner, and is turned off by the operation control unit during the remaining time.

[0015] In other embodiments, the repeater wake-up signal conforms to a wireless communication protocol that is different from the wireless communication protocol of the wireless signal retransmitted using the signal relay functionality. Some such embodiments of the signal repeater device include a low power wake-up radio (LP-WUR) receiver unit that is configured to receive the repeater wake-up signal when the signal repeater device is operating in a low power repeater operating mode, and is configured to forward it to an operating control unit instead of a signal processing unit. In this way, during the low power repeater operating mode, the signal reception function of the signal processing unit can be turned off at all times, thereby contributing to even further increasing the saving of operating power. Suitably, the LP-WUR includes a signal receiver that is only used to receive the repeater wake-up signal. In this way, particularly simple and power-saving receiver hardware can be used for signal detection, thereby further contributing to the desired power saving.

[0016] Preferably, the low power wake-up radio receiver unit is configured to receive the repeater wake-up signal in a frequency band different from a frequency band used for the signal receiving function of the signal processing unit.

[0017] In some alternative embodiments, the operation control unit of the signal repeater device has a wired control input port with a wake-up receiver for receiving a repeater wake-up signal via a wired connection.

[0018] A combination of the described wired and wireless options for receiving and processing the repeater wake-up signal is used in additional embodiments.

[0019] Further embodiments of the signal repeater device provide different variations of power supply and power management. In one embodiment according to the first aspect of the invention, the signal repeater device further includes a power input interface, which is configured to receive operating power suitable for operating the operation control unit and the signal processing unit in a conventional repeater operation mode from an external main power supply. The signal repeater device also includes a secondary power supply unit, which is configured to provide operating power suitable for operating the operation control unit and the signal processing unit in a low-power repeater operation mode. In this embodiment, the operation control unit is advantageously configured to switch the supply of operating power between the main power supply and the secondary power supply unit depending on whether the signal processing unit is operating in a conventional repeater operation mode or in a low-power repeater operation mode.

[0020] Suitable secondary power supply units include, but are not limited to, power supply units comprising batteries, rechargeable batteries, capacitors, supercapacitors, or photovoltaic devices for providing operating power suitable for operating the operating control unit and the signal processing unit in the low power repeater operating mode.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the secondary power supply unit includes a rechargeable internal power supply device, such as but not limited to a rechargeable battery, a capacitor, or a supercapacitor, and a radio power acquisition unit. The radio power acquisition unit includes a radio receiver interface and is configured to collect electromagnetic power from the received radio signal, convert at least a portion of the collected electromagnetic power into electrical power, and charge the rechargeable internal power supply device with the electrical power to power the operation of the signal repeater device in the low-power repeater operation mode.

[0022] In another embodiment of the signal repeater device of the first aspect, the operation control unit is configured to evaluate the received operation capability data indicating the ability of the corresponding external wireless transceiver device to operate in the low power transceiver operation mode, and when it is determined that not all associated external wireless transceiver devices are capable of operating in the low power transceiver operation mode, suppress the determination of the state information, thereby operating the signal processing unit only in the conventional repeater operation mode. This embodiment enables the power consumption to be reduced by interrupting the determination of the state information whenever it is determined that at least one associated wireless transceiver device is not operable in the low power transceiver operation mode. The amount of operating power required for determining the state information and all associated functions is saved, which involves determining whether each of one or more associated external wireless transceiver devices is operating in the low power transceiver operation mode and shutting down the signal relay function, thereby reducing at least some of the power consumed by the signal repeater device even if the low power repeater operation mode cannot be used given the given network association.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the operation control unit is further configured to, upon determining that not all associated external wireless transceiver devices are capable of operating in the low power transceiver operation mode, provide an operation mode warning signal indicating the same, the operation mode warning signal preferably being directed to the external network gateway device.

[0024] In another embodiment of the signal repeater device of the first aspect of the invention, the operation control unit is configured to maintain an updateable transceiver device list comprising transceiver device data, the transceiver device data identifying:

[0025] - the maximum number of external radio transceiver devices that can be associated with the signal repeater device at the same time;

[0026] - currently associated external wireless transceiver devices within the signal extension range of the signal repeater device;

[0027] - currently unassociated wireless transceiver devices within signal extension range of the signal repeater device; and

[0028] - Those currently associated and those currently not associated wireless transceiver devices that have the capability to operate in a low power transceiver mode of operation.

[0029] The operation control unit of this embodiment is further configured to suppress determining status information, thereby operating the signal processing unit only in the normal repeater operation mode, while at least one of the currently associated external wireless transceiver devices on the transceiver device list lacks the ability to operate in the low power transceiver operation mode.

[0030] This embodiment also enables power consumption to be reduced by discontinuing determination of status information when at least one currently associated external wireless transceiver device on the transceiver device list lacks the ability to operate in a low power transceiver operating mode. The state information is determined and the amount of operating power required for all associated functions is then saved, which involves determining whether each of the one or more associated external wireless transceiver devices is operating in a low power transceiver operating mode and shutting down the signal relay function, thereby reducing the power consumed by the signal repeater device.

[0031] An alternative embodiment enables this mode of operation to be under the control of an external network gateway device. In this alternative embodiment, as previously described, the operation control unit is equally configured to maintain an updateable transceiver device list including transceiver device data, the transceiver device data identifying:

[0032] - the maximum number of external radio transceiver devices that can be associated with the signal repeater device at the same time;

[0033] - currently associated external wireless transceiver devices within the signal extension range of the signal repeater device;

[0034] - currently unassociated wireless transceiver devices within signal extension range of the signal repeater device; and

[0035] - Those currently associated and those currently not associated wireless transceiver devices that have the capability to operate in a low power transceiver mode of operation.

[0036] However, in this alternative embodiment, the operation control unit is configured to provide the list of transceiver devices to the external network gateway device. In such an embodiment, wherein the operation control unit is configured to provide the list of transceiver devices to the external network gateway device, the operation control unit is suitably further configured to operate the signal processing unit in a conventional repeater operation mode or in a low power repeater operation mode at a given point in time, depending on control information received by the signal repeater device, preferably but not necessarily from the external network gateway device. In this type of embodiment, control of the association of the signal repeater device with the external wireless transceiver device may be exerted by the external network gateway device or another device for optimizing low power performance, as will be explained in more detail further below.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the control information received from the external network gateway device includes an updated transceiver device list, and the operation control unit is configured to operate the signal processing unit in the normal repeater operation mode or in the low power repeater operation mode depending on the transceiver device data included in the updated transceiver device list. In particular, for example, if the updated transceiver device list includes a wireless transceiver device that is not capable of operating in the low power transceiver operation mode, the control unit is configured to suppress determining the status information.

[0038] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication arrangement is provided. The wireless communication arrangement comprises at least one wireless transceiver device, a network gateway device for relaying data communications between the wireless transceiver device and an external wide-range data communications network, and at least one signal repeater device according to the first aspect of the present invention or any embodiment thereof. The at least one signal repeater device is associated with the at least one wireless transceiver device and is used to perform a relay function between the network gateway device and the at least one wireless transceiver device associated with the signal repeater device.

[0039] Therefore, the wireless communication arrangement of the second aspect shares the advantages of the signal repeater device of the first aspect of the present invention or any embodiment thereof.

[0040] In the following, embodiments of the wireless communication arrangement of the second aspect will be described.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the wireless communication arrangement comprises at least two signal repeater devices, wherein a respective operation control unit is configured to maintain a respective updateable transceiver device list comprising transceiver device data, to provide the transceiver device list to an external network gateway device, and to operate the signal processing unit in a conventional repeater operation mode or in a low power repeater operation mode depending on control information received from the external network gateway device.

[0042] The wireless communication arrangement further comprises: an association control unit configured to receive and evaluate a list of transceiver devices provided by the signal repeater device, to generate a corresponding updated list of transceiver devices associated with the corresponding signal repeater device using the received list of transceiver devices, to generate, depending on the corresponding capability to be operated in the low power transceiver operation mode, a number of wireless transceiver devices that is equal to or lower than a maximum number of external wireless transceiver devices that can be associated with the corresponding signal repeater device, for maximizing the number of signal repeater devices that can be operated in the low power repeater operation mode, and to provide the updated list of transceiver devices as control information to the corresponding signal repeater device.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the wireless communication arrangement is a lighting system communication arrangement, wherein the wirelessly controllable lighting devices, the monitoring sensor devices and the triggering sensor devices are configured as wireless transceiver devices of the lighting system communication arrangement.

[0044] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a signal repeater device is described. The method comprises, in a conventional repeater operation mode,

[0045] - performing a signal receiving function involving receiving a wireless input signal that conveys payload information or control information between an external network gateway device and one or more external wireless transceiver devices associated with a signal repeater device;

[0046] - Perform signal relay functions involving retransmission of amplified wireless output signals carrying payload information or control information;

[0047] - determining state information indicating that the associated external transceiver devices are respectively operating in a low power transceiver operating mode;

[0048] - switching to a low power repeater operating mode, wherein upon determining from the status information that each of the one or more associated external wireless transceiver devices is operating in the low power transceiver operating mode, the signal relay function is turned off; and

[0049] - When in the low power repeater operation mode, waiting for reception of a predetermined repeater wake-up signal, and upon receiving the predetermined repeater wake-up signal, switching to operation in the normal repeater operation mode.

[0050] The method of the third aspect shares the advantages of the signal repeater device of the first aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0051] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is presented a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method of the third aspect.

[0052] It shall be understood that the signal repeater device, the wireless communication arrangement of claim 11, the method for operating a signal repeater device of claim 13, and the computer program of claim 14 have similar and / or identical preferred embodiments, in particular as defined in the dependent claims.

[0053] It shall be understood that a preferred embodiment of the invention can also be any combination of the dependent claims or the above-described embodiments with the respective independent claim.

[0054] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] In the following figures:

[0056] Figure 1 A block diagram of a wireless communication arrangement including a network gateway device or access point and a plurality of wireless transceiver devices or end nodes is shown,

[0057] Figure 2 shows an example of another wireless communication arrangement further comprising a signal repeater device,

[0058] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a wireless communication arrangement comprising a network gateway device, a signal repeater device and two associated wireless transceiver devices,

[0059] Figure 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a signal repeater device,

[0060] Figure 5 A schematic representation of another embodiment of a wireless communication arrangement is shown, the wireless communication arrangement comprising a network gateway device, two signal repeater devices, a plurality of wireless transceiver devices and an associated control unit, and

[0061] Figure 6 A flow chart of an embodiment of a method for operating a signal repeater device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Figure 1 A block diagram of a known wireless communication arrangement 100 is shown, which includes one network gateway device 102 and three wireless transceiver devices 104, 106, and 108. The network gateway device 102 is configured to relay data communications between the wireless transceiver devices 104, 106, 108 and an external wide-range data communication network 110 (such as, for example, the Internet). Therefore, emphasizing the interaction of the network gateway device with the external wide-range data communication network 110, the network gateway device 102 will also be referred to as an access point, and emphasizing the implementation of application functions in the wireless transceiver device, the wireless transceiver devices 104, 106, 108 will also be referred to as end nodes of the wireless communication arrangement 100.

[0063] Figure 1 The arrows in indicate the transmission of wireless signals between the corresponding devices. The wireless signals carry payload information or control information. The transmission of wireless signals is performed in accordance with a predetermined wireless communication protocol. Examples of suitable communication protocols include, but are not limited to, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, and ZigBee. In another exemplary wireless communication arrangement (not shown), the data connection between the external wide range data communication network 110 and the access point 102 is implemented via a wired connection (e.g., using an Ethernet cable) or other suitable wired connection, and wherein the communication between the external wide range data communication network 100 and the access point 102 is performed in accordance with a suitable communication protocol, such as a protocol belonging to the IEEE 802.3 standard. Therefore, the term "wireless" in the wireless communication arrangement mainly refers to the communication between the access point and at least one of the end nodes.

[0064] Typically, the network gateway device or access point 102 will always be activated - that is, operating in a conventional gateway device operating mode - for communicating with an external wide range data communication network 110. On the other hand, and depending on the type and function of the wireless transceiver devices or end nodes 104, 106, 108, some of them will occasionally enter a low power transceiver operating mode. Examples of low power transceiver operating modes include standby mode, sleep mode, or other known low power operating modes of transceiver devices, which require less operating power than conventional transceiver device operating modes. A compromise must be made between latency and energy efficiency of such wireless communication arrangements. This typically involves coordinating the operating cycles of the wireless transceiver devices with the network gateway device in the low power transceiver operating mode.

[0065] The increasing number of end nodes and the increasing distances between access points and end nodes require the use of signal repeater devices, also called repeaters. Figure 22 shows an example of a wireless communication arrangement including a signal repeater device. The wireless communication arrangement 200 includes an access point or network gateway device 202, which is connected to an external wide range data communication network 110. End nodes 206 and 214 are appropriately positioned for receiving wireless signals from and transmitting wireless signals to the access point 202. However, the end nodes 208, 210, and 212 are in a position where they do not receive wireless signals from the access point with sufficient signal quality to properly convey the information carried by the signal. In order to enable successful wireless communication between the access point 202 and the end nodes 208, 210, and 212, signal relay devices 203, 204 are included in the wireless communication arrangement 200. In the specific wireless communication arrangement 200, the signal repeater device 203 enables wireless communication between the access point 202 and the end nodes 208 and 210, while the signal repeater device 204 enables wireless communication between the access point 202 and the end node 212. In another exemplary wireless communication arrangement (not shown), communications between an access point and a given end node are accomplished via more than one signal repeater device.

[0066] Typical signal repeater devices consume a greater amount of power than typical end nodes because signal repeater devices are much more involved in data communications than end nodes. Signal repeater devices are typically configured to receive wireless input signals carrying payload information or control information and perform a signal relay function involving retransmission of an amplified wireless output signal also carrying payload information or control information. Additionally, some signal repeater devices are configured to perform a signal cleanup process in which the payload information or control information is analyzed and reconstructed to correct detectable errors.

[0067] The access point needs to operate continuously in a normal operating mode as it handles communications with the external wide-range data communications network. However, the signal repeater device only needs to be turned on to facilitate communications between devices - access points, other signal repeater devices, end nodes (which are part of the wireless communication arrangement under consideration) -.

[0068] Figure 3 A block diagram of a wireless communication arrangement 300 is shown that includes a network gateway device or access point 302 for retransmitting wireless signals to and from two associated wireless transceiver devices 304 and 306. The transmission of wireless signals between the network gateway device 302 and the associated wireless transceiver devices 304, 306 is accomplished via a signal repeater device 308.

[0069] The wireless communication arrangement 300 is a connected lighting arrangement, wherein the wireless transceiver device 304 is a lighting fixture and the wireless transceiver device 306 is a monitoring sensor.

[0070] The signal repeater device 308 comprises a signal processing unit 316 configured to perform a signal reception function involving receiving a wireless input signal 310.1, 314.1 via a wireless signal reception interface 312 comprising an antenna 313. The wireless input signal transmits payload information or control information between the network gateway device 302 and the associated wireless transceiver devices 304, 306. The signal processing unit 316 is configured to perform a signal reception function and a signal relay function involving retransmission of an amplified wireless output signal 310.2, 314.2 carrying payload information or control in a conventional repeater operating mode.

[0071] In the exemplary signal relay device, the signal receiving function also includes converting the wireless signal into a corresponding electrical signal and down-converting the electrical signal from the radio frequency range to the base frequency range. Correspondingly, the signal relay function also involves up-converting the electrical signal from the base frequency range to the radio frequency range.

[0072] The signal repeater device 308 further includes an operation control unit 318 configured to operate the signal processing unit in a normal repeater operation mode and in a low power repeater operation mode in which the signal relay function is turned off. The operation control unit 318 is further configured to determine state information indicating that the associated external transceiver devices are respectively operating in the low power transceiver operation mode, and turn off the signal relay function when it is determined based on the determined state information that each of the one or more associated external wireless transceiver devices is operating in the low power transceiver operation mode.

[0073] Further, when the signal processing unit is operating in the low power repeater operation mode, the operation control unit is configured to wait for receiving a predetermined repeater wake-up signal, and upon receiving the predetermined repeater wake-up signal, switch to operation of the signal processing unit in the normal repeater operation mode.

[0074] Thus, the associated wireless transceiver devices 304, 306 are operable in corresponding conventional transceiver operating modes and may further be operable in corresponding low-power transceiver operating modes. The operation control unit 318 is configured to determine the current operating mode of the associated wireless transceiver device. In an exemplary wireless communication arrangement, the associated wireless transceiver device is configured to provide state information about the current operating mode (i.e., conventional transceiver operating mode or low-power transceiver operating mode) at a predetermined point in time. In another exemplary wireless communication arrangement, the associated wireless transceiver device is configured to provide state information when transitioning from one operating mode to another operating mode. In yet another wireless communication arrangement, the signal repeater device is advantageously configured to determine the current operating mode of the associated wireless transceiver device based on payload information or control information of the wireless input signal.

[0075] When it is determined that each associated wireless transceiver device is operating in a low power transceiver operating mode - which involves ceasing to provide wireless signals - the operating control unit shuts down the signal relay function and the signal repeater device stops providing amplified wireless output signals, thereby reducing power consumption of the signal repeater device.

[0076] During operation of the signal repeater device in the normal repeater operation mode, operating power suitable for operating the operation control unit and the signal processing unit in the normal repeater operation mode is provided by the main power supply via the power input interface 309. In the signal repeater device 308, operating power suitable for operating the operation control unit and the signal processing unit in the low power repeater operation mode is also provided by the main power supply via the power input interface 309.

[0077] The operation control unit of the exemplary signal repeater device is configured to control the operation of the signal processing unit to perform the signal receiving function in a duty cycle manner in the low power repeater operation mode.

[0078] In the exemplary signal repeater device, the operation control unit 318 is further configured to trigger the provision of a wireless transceiver wake-up signal upon receiving the repeater wake-up signal, for instructing at least one external wireless transceiver device to shut down the low power transceiver operation mode and return to operation in the normal transceiver operation mode. Thus, the receipt of the repeater wake-up signal results in both re-enabling the signal relay function and sending a wireless transceiver wake-up signal to at least one external associated wireless transceiver device.

[0079] like Figure 3As indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 3 , the signal repeater device 308 may additionally include a low power wake-up radio receiver unit 320 configured to receive a repeater wake-up signal when the signal repeater device is operating in a low power repeater operating mode, and configured to forward it to the operating control unit instead of the signal processing unit. In an exemplary wireless communication arrangement, the repeater wake-up signal is transmitted according to the same wireless communication protocol as the wireless input signal and the wireless output signal. In another wireless communication arrangement, the repeater wake-up signal is transmitted according to a communication protocol different from that used to transmit the wireless input signal and the wireless output signal.

[0080] In an exemplary signal repeater device, a low-power wake-up radio receiver unit is configured to receive a repeater wake-up signal in a frequency band different from the signal receiving function used for the signal processing unit, i.e., a frequency band different from the frequency band used by the input wireless signal and the output wireless signal. In this signal repeater device, an operation control unit is configured to additionally turn off the signal receiving function of the signal processing unit when it is determined based on the determined state information that each of the one or more associated external wireless transceiver devices is operating in a low-power transceiver operating mode. Therefore, in this exemplary signal receiver device, both the signal receiving function and the signal transmitting function are turned off during operation in the low-power repeater operating mode. The signal processing unit cannot receive the repeater wake-up signal because the signal receiving function is disabled. However, they are received by the low-power wake-up radio receiver unit and provided to the operation control unit.

[0081] Another suitable wireless communication arrangement is an Internet of Things (IoT) communication arrangement, which includes IoT nodes, such as but not limited to access points as network gateway devices, signal repeater devices, and wherein the wireless transceiver devices include controlled end nodes, such as lighting devices, monitoring sensor end nodes, and trigger sensor end nodes. Their operating capabilities in low-power operation modes and the triggering events for entering and leaving low-power operation modes are summarized in Table 1 below.

[0082] Table 1. Trigger events for entering and leaving low power operation modes for different types of nodes in an IoT communication arrangement.

[0083] IoT Node Types Entering low power operating mode Exiting low power operating mode Access Point NA NA Repeater All associated end nodes are in low power operation mode Receiving the Repeater Wake-up Signal Monitoring sensor nodes In low power operation mode when not called Reception of wireless transceiver wake-up signal Triggering sensor nodes Activation from the access point. When in low-power operating mode, the node remains alert for triggering events. Wireless transceiver - reception of wake-up signal or detection of triggering event

[0084] Figure 4 Another embodiment of a signal repeater device 400 is shown. Figure 3As explained in the signal repeater device 308 of FIG. 4 , the signal repeater device includes a signal processing unit 402 connected to an antenna 404, and an operation control unit 406. The signal repeater device 400 additionally includes a low power wake-up radio receiver unit 408, which is configured to receive a repeater wake-up signal when the signal repeater device is operated in the low power repeater operation mode, and is configured to forward it to the operation control unit 406 instead of the signal processing unit 402. The signal repeater device 400 additionally includes a power input interface 410, which is configured to receive an operation power suitable for operating the operation control unit 406 and the signal processing unit 402 in the normal repeater operation mode from an external main power supply (not shown). Further, the signal repeater device includes a secondary power supply unit 412, which is configured to provide an operation power suitable for operating the operation control unit 406 and the signal processing unit 402 and the low power wake-up radio receiver unit 408 in the low power repeater operation mode. In this alternative signal repeater device, the operation control unit 406 is additionally configured to switch the supply of operating power between the main power supply and the secondary power supply unit via the power input interface 410, depending on whether the signal processing unit is operating in the conventional repeater operating mode or in the low-power repeater operating mode. Therefore, during operation in the low-power repeater operating mode, no power is drawn directly from the main power supply. The alternative secondary power supply unit includes a battery, a rechargeable battery, a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a photovoltaic solar cell, or any other suitable power supply device.

[0085] The secondary power supply unit 412 of the signal repeater device 400 includes a rechargeable internal power supply device 414 and a radio power acquisition unit 416, which includes a radio receiver interface and is configured to collect electromagnetic power from the received radio signal, convert the collected electromagnetic power into electric power, and charge the rechargeable internal power supply device with the electric power to power the operation of the signal repeater device in the low-power repeater operation mode. Therefore, the power obtained from the radio signal received by the antenna 404 of the radio receiver interface is used to charge the rechargeable internal power supply device to provide operating power suitable for operating the operation control unit and the signal processing unit in the low-power repeater operation mode.

[0086] In an exemplary signal receiver device, the wireless input signal, the repeater wake-up signal, and the radio signal for power harvesting are transmitted by the same antenna, such as Figure 4 The antenna 404 of the signal repeater device 400 receives the radio frequency signal. However, alternative signal receiver devices use two or more antennas to receive the wireless input signal, the repeater wake-up signal, and the radio signal for power acquisition.

[0087] Figure 3 The signal repeater device 308 operates the control units 318 and 406 and Figure 4 400 can also be configured to evaluate received operating capability data indicating the ability of the corresponding external wireless transceiver device to operate in the low power transceiver operating mode; and when it is determined that not all associated external wireless transceiver devices are capable of operating in the low power transceiver operating mode, suppress the determination of status information, thereby operating the signal processing unit only in the conventional repeater operating mode.

[0088] Therefore, when it is determined that there is at least one external wireless transceiver device that is associated and is not operable in the low-power transceiver operating mode, the operation control unit stops determining the status information, which means that, under these conditions, it cannot shut down the signal relay function and only operates in the normal relay operating mode. In a preferred signal repeater device, the operation control unit is configured to provide an operating mode warning signal indicating the same to the external network gateway device when it is determined that not all associated external wireless transceiver devices are capable of operating in the low-power transceiver operating mode.

[0089] Figure 5 A diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless communication arrangement 500 is shown. The wireless communication arrangement 500 includes a network gateway device 502 for relaying data communications between a wireless transceiver device and an external wide-range data communications network (not shown), two signal repeater devices 504, 506, and a plurality of wireless transceiver devices 508, 510, 512, 514, and 516.

[0090] Those wireless transceiver devices located within the dashed circle 505 representing the signal extension range of the signal repeater device 504 are suitable for providing wireless input signals to the signal relay device 504 and receiving wireless output signals from the signal relay device 504. Correspondingly, those wireless transceiver devices located within the dashed circle 507 representing the signal extension range of the signal repeater device 506 are suitable for providing wireless input signals to the signal relay device 506 and receiving wireless output signals from the signal relay device 506. According to this scheme, the wireless transceiver devices 508, 510, 512 and 514 are suitable for communicating wireless signals with the signal repeater device 504, and the wireless transceiver devices 514 and 516 are suitable for communicating wireless signals with the signal repeater device 506.

[0091] In addition, Figure 5The wireless transceiver devices 508, 510 and 512 depicted as circles in FIG. 5 are operable in both the normal transceiver operation mode and in the low power transceiver operation mode. However, the wireless transceiver devices 514 and 516 are operable only in the normal transceiver operation mode and are not operable in the low power transceiver operation mode.

[0092] At a given moment, wireless transceiver devices 508, 510, 512, and 514 are associated with signal repeater device 504. At the same given moment, wireless transceiver device 516 is associated with signal repeater device 506. The wireless transceiver devices communicate with the network gateway device only via their respective associated signal repeater devices.

[0093] Thus, at a given point in time, neither signal repeater device is operable in the low power repeater mode of operation because at least one of the corresponding associated wireless transceiver devices 514 and 516 is not capable of operating in the low power transceiver mode of operation.

[0094] The operation control unit of the signal repeater device 504 is further configured to maintain an updateable transceiver device list including transceiver device data that identifies currently associated external wireless transceiver devices (in this case 508, 510, 512, and 514), currently unassociated wireless transceiver devices (in this case none), and those currently associated and unassociated wireless transceiver devices (in this case 508, 510, and 512) within the signal extension range of the signal repeater device. An example of such an updateable transceiver device list for the signal repeater device 504 is shown in Table 2. The transceiver device list also includes transceiver device data that identifies the maximum number of external wireless transceiver devices that can be associated with the signal repeater device (not shown). The exemplary transceiver device list has a limited number of entries for allocating transceiver devices within the signal extension range that corresponds to the maximum number of external wireless transceiver devices that can be associated with the signal repeater device at the same time. For the exemplary signal repeater device, this limit is based on a hardware or software limit imposed to ensure the simultaneous exchange of wireless signals between the network gateway device and a maximum number of associated external wireless transceiver devices.

[0095] Table 2. List of updatable transceiver devices for signal repeater device 504

[0096] Transceiver device with signal extension range Related Low power operation 508 yes yes 510 yes yes 512 yes yes 514 yes no

[0097] Correspondingly, the operation control unit of the signal repeater device 506 is further configured to maintain an updateable transceiver device list including transceiver device data that identifies currently associated external wireless transceiver devices (in this case 516), currently unassociated wireless transceiver devices (in this case 514), and those currently associated and unassociated wireless transceiver devices that have the capability to operate in a low power transceiver operating mode (in this case none) within the signal extension range of the signal repeater device. An example of such an updateable transceiver device list for the signal repeater device 506 is shown in Table 3. The transceiver device list also includes transceiver device data that identifies the maximum number of external wireless transceiver devices that can be associated with the signal repeater device (not shown).

[0098] Table 3. List of updatable transceiver devices for signal repeater device 506

[0099] Transceiver device with signal extension range Related Low power operation 514 no no 516 yes no

[0100] The operation control unit of the signal relay device 504, 506 is configured to provide the list of transceiver devices to the network gateway device.

[0101] The wireless communication arrangement 500 further comprises an association control unit 518 configured to receive and evaluate a list of transceiver devices provided by the signal repeater device. In another exemplary wireless communication arrangement, the association control unit is integrated in the network gateway device. In another exemplary network communication arrangement, the association control unit is configured to communicate with the network gateway device via an external wide range data communication network, thereby enabling remote operation of the association control unit.

[0102] The association control unit 518 is further configured to use the transceiver device list to generate a corresponding updated transceiver device list associated with the corresponding signal repeater device, and depending on the corresponding capability to operate in the low power transceiver operation mode, generate a number of wireless transceiver devices that is equal to or lower than the maximum number of external wireless transceiver devices that can be associated with the corresponding signal repeater device to maximize the number of signal repeater devices that can operate in the low power repeater operation mode. The association control unit is further configured to provide the updated transceiver device list to the corresponding signal repeater device.

[0103] In reference Figure 5 In the particular example described, neither signal repeater device 504, 506 is capable of operating in the low power repeater mode of operation because at least one of the associated wireless repeater devices (514 and 516, respectively) is operating only in the conventional transceiver mode of operation.

[0104] In order to maximize the number of signal repeater devices that can operate in the low power repeater operation mode, and after evaluating the transceiver device data and according to predetermined association rules, the association control unit generates corresponding updated lists as indicated in Table 4 for signal repeater device 504 and Table 5 for signal repeater device 506, and provides these lists to the signal repeater devices for updating the corresponding updateable transceiver device lists.

[0105] Table 4. Updated transceiver device list for signal repeater device 504

[0106] Transceiver equipment Related Low power operation 508 yes yes 510 yes yes 512 yes yes 514 no no

[0107] Table 5. Updated transceiver device list for signal repeater device 506

[0108] Transceiver equipment Related Low power operation 514 yes no 516 yes no

[0109] Once the transceiver device list is updated in its corresponding signal repeater device, the corresponding operation control unit will control the operation in the normal repeater operation mode and the low power repeater operation mode depending on the corresponding operation mode of the currently associated external wireless transmitting device included in the transceiver device list. Because in the case of the signal repeater device 504, all associated wireless transceiver devices are not operable in the low power transceiver operation mode, the operation control unit can turn off the signal relay function when it is determined based on the determined state information that each of the one or more associated external wireless transceiver devices 508, 510, 512 is operating in the low power transceiver operation mode.

[0110] In another exemplary signal repeater device, the updateable transceiver device list further includes transceiver device data related to a time span during which the wireless transceiver device operates in the low power transceiver operating mode. In this case, the association control unit is advantageously configured to determine and provide an updated transceiver device list further based on the time span.

[0111] The list of other transceiver devices also includes location information related to the location of the corresponding wireless transceiver device, such as, for example, the room where the wireless transceiver device is installed. The association control unit may then further use association rules based on the location information to associate the transceiver device to the corresponding signal repeater device.

[0112] Figure 6A flow chart of an embodiment of a method 600 for operating a signal repeater device is shown, including, in a conventional repeater operating mode, performing a signal receiving function in step 602, the signal receiving function involving receiving a wireless input signal that transmits payload information or control information between an external network gateway device and one or more external wireless transceiver devices associated with the signal repeater device. The method also includes performing a signal relay function in step 604, the signal relay function involving retransmitting an amplified wireless output signal carrying the payload information or control information. The method also includes, in step 606, determining status information indicating that the associated external transceiver devices are respectively operating in a low-power transceiver operating mode. The method further includes, in step 608, switching to a low-power repeater operating mode, wherein upon determining, based on the status information, that each of the one or more associated external wireless transceiver devices is operating in the low-power transceiver operating mode, the signal relay function is turned off. While in the low power repeater operating mode, the method includes, in step 610, waiting for receipt of a predetermined repeater wake-up signal, and upon receipt of the signal, in step 612, switching to operation in the normal repeater operating mode.

[0113] In summary, the present invention is directed to: a signal repeater device, which is operable in a conventional repeater operation mode and in a low-power repeater operation mode, the low-power repeater operation mode requiring less operating power than the conventional repeater operation mode, and includes a signal processing unit, which performs a signal receiving function and a signal relaying function in the conventional repeater operation mode; and an operation control unit, which is configured to reduce the power consumption of the signal repeater device by determining status information indicating that the associated external transceiver devices are respectively operating in the low-power transceiver operation mode, and based on the determined status information, when it is determined that each associated external wireless transceiver device is operating in the low-power transceiver operation, operating the signal processing unit in the low-power repeater operation mode by turning off the signal relaying function, and when a predetermined repeater wake-up signal is received, switching to the operation of the signal processing unit in the conventional repeater operation mode.

[0114] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0115] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0116] A single unit or device may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0117] The computer program may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium, provided together with or as a part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet, or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

[0118] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A signal repeater device for wireless signals, comprising: a signal processing unit (316) configured to perform a signal reception function, the signal reception function involving reception of a wireless input signal (310.1, 314.1) that transmits payload information or control information between an external network gateway device and one or more external wireless transceiver devices (304, 306) associated with the signal repeater device, and the wireless input signal is configured to perform a signal reception function and a signal relay function in a conventional repeater operation mode, the signal relay function involving retransmission of an amplified wireless output signal (310.2, 314.2) carrying the payload information or the control information; and - an operation control unit (318) configured to: - operating the signal processing unit in the normal repeater operation mode and in a low power repeater operation mode, in which the signal relay function is turned off; - determining state information indicating that the associated external transceiver devices are respectively operating in a low power transceiver operating mode; - when it is determined from the status information that each of the one or more associated external wireless transceiver devices is operating in the low power transceiver operation mode, turning off the signal relay function; as well as - when the signal processing unit (316) operates in the low-power repeater operation mode, waiting for reception of a predetermined repeater wake-up signal, and upon receiving the predetermined repeater wake-up signal, switching to operation of the signal processing unit (316) in the normal repeater operation mode; And the signal repeater device further comprises: - A low power wake-up radio receiver (320) unit configured to receive the repeater wake-up signal when the signal repeater device is operating in the low power repeater operation mode and configured to forward it to the operation control unit (318) instead of the signal processing unit (316).

2. The signal repeater device according to claim 1, wherein the operation control unit (318) is configured to trigger providing a wireless transceiver wake-up signal upon receiving the repeater wake-up signal, for instructing at least one of the one or more external wireless transceiver devices (304, 306) to turn off the low-power transceiver operation mode and return to operation in a normal transceiver operation mode.

3. The signal repeater device according to claim 1, wherein: - the low power wake-up radio receiver unit is configured to receive the repeater wake-up signal in a frequency band different from a frequency band used for a signal receiving function of the signal processing unit; and in The operation control unit is configured to additionally shut down a signal receiving function of the signal processing unit upon determining based on the determined state information that each of the one or more associated external wireless transceiver devices is operating in the low power transceiver operation mode. 4 . The signal repeater device according to claim 1 , wherein the operation control unit is configured to control the operation of the signal processing unit to perform the signal receiving function in a duty cycle manner in the low power repeater operation mode.

5. The signal repeater device according to claim 1, further comprising: - a power input interface (410) configured to receive operating power suitable for operating the operating control unit and the signal processing unit in the normal repeater operating mode from an external main power source; - a secondary power supply unit (412) configured to provide operating power suitable for operating the operating control unit and the signal processing unit in the low power repeater operating mode; and wherein - the operation control unit (406) is configured to switch the supply of operating power between the primary power supply and the secondary power supply unit depending on whether the signal processing unit is operating in the normal repeater operation mode or the low power repeater operation mode.

6. The signal repeater device according to claim 5, wherein the secondary power supply unit comprises: - a rechargeable internal power supply device (414); and - A radio power acquisition unit (416), which includes a radio receiver interface and is configured to collect electromagnetic power from a received radio signal, convert the collected electromagnetic power into electrical power, and use the electrical power to charge the rechargeable internal power supply device to power the operation of the signal repeater device in the low-power repeater operation mode.

7. A signal repeater device according to claim 1, wherein the operation control unit (406) is configured to: evaluate received operation capability data, the operation capability data indicating the capability of the corresponding external wireless transceiver device to operate in the low-power transceiver operation mode; and when it is determined that not all associated external wireless transceiver devices are capable of operating in the low-power transceiver operation mode, suppress determination status information, thereby operating the signal processing unit only in the conventional repeater operation mode.

8. The signal repeater device according to claim 7, wherein the operation control unit is configured to provide an operation mode warning signal indicating the same to the external network gateway device when it is determined that not all associated external wireless transceiver devices are capable of operating in the low power transceiver operation mode.

9. The signal repeater device according to claim 7, wherein the operation control unit is further configured to: -maintaining an updateable transceiver device list comprising transceiver device data identifying: - the maximum number of external wireless transceiver devices that can be associated with the signal repeater device at the same time; - currently associated external wireless transceiver devices within the signal extension range of the signal repeater device; - currently unassociated wireless transceiver devices within the signal extension range of the signal repeater device; and - those currently associated and those currently not associated wireless transceiver devices that have the capability to operate in said low power transceiver mode of operation; as well as - avoiding determining said state information so as to operate said signal processing unit only in said conventional repeater operation mode, while at least one of said currently associated external wireless transceiver devices on said transceiver device list lacks the capability to operate in said low power transceiver operation mode.

10. The signal repeater device according to claim 7, wherein the operation control unit is further configured to: -maintaining an updateable transceiver device list comprising transceiver device data identifying: - the maximum number of external wireless transceiver devices that can be associated with the signal repeater device at the same time; - currently associated external wireless transceiver devices within the signal extension range of the signal repeater device; - currently unassociated wireless transceiver devices within the signal extension range of the signal repeater device; and - those currently associated and those currently not associated wireless transceiver devices that have the capability to operate in said low power transceiver mode of operation; - providing a list of transceiver devices to the external network gateway device; as well as - operating the signal processing unit in the normal repeater operation mode or in the low power repeater operation mode depending on control information received from the external network gateway device.

11. A wireless communication arrangement comprising: - at least one wireless transceiver device (304); - a network gateway device (302) for relaying data communications between the wireless transceiver device and an external wide-range data communications network; - At least one signal repeater device (308) associated with the at least one wireless transceiver device according to claim 1, configured to perform a relay function between the network gateway device and the at least one wireless transceiver device associated with the signal repeater device.

12. The wireless communication arrangement according to claim 11, comprising at least two signal repeater devices (504, 506) according to claim 10, further comprising an association control unit (518), the association control unit being configured to: - receiving and evaluating said list of transceiver devices provided by said signal repeater device; - using the received list of transceiver devices, generating a corresponding updated list of transceiver devices associated with the corresponding signal repeater device, depending on the corresponding capabilities to operate in the low power transceiver operating mode, generating a number of wireless transceiver devices that is equal to or less than a maximum number of external wireless transceiver devices that can be associated with the corresponding signal repeater device to maximize the number of signal repeater devices operable in the low power repeater operating mode; and - providing said updated list of transceiver devices as said control information to corresponding signal repeater devices.

13. A method for operating a signal repeater device comprising, in a normal repeater operating mode: - performing, via a signal processing unit (316), a signal receiving function (602), the signal receiving function involving the reception of a wireless input signal, the wireless input signal conveying payload information or control information between an external network gateway device and one or more external wireless transceiver devices associated with the signal repeater device; - performing, via the signal processing unit (316), a signal relay function (604), the signal relay function involving retransmission of an amplified wireless output signal carrying the payload information or the control information; - determining, via the operation control unit (318), state information (606), the state information indicating that the associated external transceiver device is respectively operating in a low power transceiver operation mode; - switching, via the operation control unit (318), to a low power repeater operation mode (608), in which the signal relay function is turned off when it is determined from the status information that each of the one or more associated external wireless transceiver devices is operating in the low power transceiver operation mode; as well as - when in the low-power repeater operation mode, waiting for reception of a predetermined repeater wake-up signal (610), and upon receiving the predetermined repeater wake-up signal, switching to operation in the normal repeater operation mode (612), the method further comprising: - When the signal repeater device operates in the low power repeater operation mode, receiving the repeater wake-up signal and forwarding it to the operation control unit (318) instead of the signal processing unit (316).

14. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the method of claim 13.

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