Range extender for home automation network

Abstract

The invention provides a method, a device and a system for wireless communication. The present implementation more specifically relates to a range extender for a digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT) ultra-low energy (ULE) home automation network (HAN) that is capable of extending the range of wireless communications without increasing the power consumption of a portable device. In some aspects, the ULE range extender may include a fixed part (FP) component configured to communicate with one or more portable devices and a portable part (PP) component configured to communicate with a base station. In some implementations, an FP component may receive an uplink message from a portable device via a first link, and may release the first link immediately upon receiving the uplink message. The PP component transmits the uplink message to the base station via the second link and releases the second link upon receiving an acknowledgement that the uplink message has been received by the base station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present implementations relate generally to wireless communications and, in particular, to range extenders for home automation networks. Background Art

[0002] Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) Ultra Low Energy (ULE) is a wireless communication standard that can be used to implement home automation, security and climate control in residential and corporate environments. The basic building block of a ULE system is a home automation network (HAN) that includes a fixed part (FP) and at least one portable part (PP). A DECT ULE PP (also referred to as a "leaf") can be any portable device used in home automation, security or climate control applications. In addition to other examples, example suitable portable devices also include sensors (such as smoke detectors or motion detectors), thermostats, and electrical control elements. A DECT ULE FP (also referred to as a "root node") is a base station or access point that bridges the connection between a portable device and a local area network (or the Internet). The base station communicates with the portable device via the DECT air interface. Each over-the-top (OTA) connection between a base station and a corresponding portable device is referred to as a wireless communication "link".

[0003] Existing versions of the DECT standard define repeaters (also known as "wireless relay stations") that are able to extend the range of the DECT air interface. However, a DECT repeater merely relays messages between a base station and a portable device. As such, the portable device must acquire an end-to-end link to communicate with the base station. In other words, the DECT repeater must simultaneously maintain a wireless communication link with the portable device and the base station to relay communications between them. The portable device repeatedly attempts to transmit the same message over the DECT air interface until an end-to-end link with the base station is established. Thus, the use of a DECT repeater to relay messages between the portable device and the base station tends to increase the power consumption of the portable device. Since portable devices of a HAN are often battery powered, there is a need to increase the wireless communication range of the HAN without increasing the power consumption of the portable device. Summary of the invention

[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] An innovative aspect of the subject matter of the present disclosure can be implemented in a method of wireless communication. The method includes: receiving a first packet for a base station via a first link; releasing the first link in response to receiving the first packet; transmitting the first packet to the base station via a second link; receiving an acknowledgment of the first packet by the base station; and releasing the second link in response to receiving the acknowledgment.

[0006] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter of the present disclosure can be implemented in a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device including a processing system and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processing system, cause the wireless communication device to: receive a first packet for a base station via a first link; release the first link in response to receiving the first packet; transmit the first packet to the base station via a second link; receive an acknowledgment of the first packet by the base station; and release the second link in response to receiving the acknowledgment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present implementations are illustrated by way of example and are not intended to be limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings.

[0008] Figure 1 A block diagram of an example wireless communication network is shown in accordance with some implementations.

[0009] Figure 2 A block diagram of an example Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) Ultra Low Energy (ULE) range extender is shown in accordance with some implementations.

[0010] Figure 3A Shown is a sequence diagram depicting an example process for device registration in a home automation network (HAN) according to some implementations.

[0011] Figure 3B A sequence diagram depicting example uplink communications in a HAN according to some implementations is shown.

[0012] Figure 3C A sequence diagram depicting example downlink communications in a HAN according to some implementations is shown.

[0013] Figure 4A Another sequence diagram depicting an example process for device registration in a HAN according to some implementations is shown.

[0014] Figure 4B Another sequence diagram depicting example uplink communications in a HAN according to some implementations is shown.

[0015] Figure 4C Another sequence diagram depicting example downlink communications in a HAN according to some implementations is shown.

[0016] Figure 5 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device is shown in accordance with some implementations.

[0017] Figure 6 An illustrative flow diagram is shown depicting example operations for wireless communications in accordance with some implementations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In the following description, many specific details (such as examples of specific components, circuits, and processes) are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term "coupling" means being directly connected to one or more intermediate components or circuits or being connected through one or more intermediate components or circuits. The terms "electronic system" and "electronic device" may be used interchangeably to refer to any system capable of electronically processing information. Moreover, in the following description and for the purpose of explanation, specific terms are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of aspects of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details may not be required to practice the exemplary embodiments. In other examples, well-known circuits and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Some parts of the following detailed description are presented in accordance with other symbolic representations of procedures, logic blocks, processing, and operations on data bits in a computer memory.

[0019] These descriptions and representations are the means used by the technicians in the data processing field to most effectively convey the essence of their work to other technicians in the field. In the present disclosure, procedures, logic blocks, processes, etc. are considered to be the self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions that lead to the desired result. The steps are those steps that require the physical manipulation of physical quantities. Although not necessarily, these quantities usually take the form of electrical or magnetic signals that can be stored, transferred, combined, compared and otherwise manipulated in a computer system. However, it should be remembered that all items in these and similar items are associated with appropriate physical quantities and are only convenient labels applied to these quantities.

[0020] Unless otherwise specifically stated, as will be apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout this application, discussions utilizing terms such as “access,” “receive,” “send,” “use,” “select,” “determine,” “normalize,” “multiply,” “average,” “monitor,” “compare,” “apply,” “update,” “measure,” “derive,” etc., refer to actions and processes of a computer system or similar electronic computing device that manipulates data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories and transforms the data into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices.

[0021] In the accompanying drawings, a single block may be described as performing one or more functions; however, in actual practice, one or more functions performed by the block may be performed in a single component or across multiple components, and / or may be performed using hardware, using software, or using a combination of hardware and software. In order to clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described below in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. The technician may implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the example input device may include components other than those shown, including well-known components such as processors, memories, etc.

[0022] Unless specifically described as being implemented in a specific manner, the techniques described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Any features described as modules or components may also be implemented together in an integrated logic device or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. If implemented in software, the techniques may be implemented at least in part by a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium that includes instructions that, when executed, perform one or more of the methods described above. The non-transitory processor-readable data storage medium may form part of a computer program product that may include packaging materials.

[0023] Non-transitory processor-readable storage media may include random access memory (RAM) such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, other known storage media, etc. The technology may additionally or alternatively be at least partially implemented by a processor-readable communication medium that carries or communicates code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed, read, and / or executed by a computer or other processor.

[0024] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and instructions described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein may be executed by one or more processors (or processing systems). The term "processor" as used herein may refer to any general purpose processor, special purpose processor, conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, and / or state machine capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in memory.

[0025] As described above, DECT ULE is a wireless communication standard that can be used to implement home automation, security, and climate control in residential and enterprise environments. Existing versions of the DECT standard define repeaters (also known as "wireless relay stations") that can extend the range of the DECT air interface. However, DECT repeaters only relay messages between a base station and a portable device. As such, the portable device must acquire an end-to-end link to communicate with the base station. The portable device repeatedly attempts to transmit the same message over the DECT air interface until an end-to-end link with the base station is established. Thus, the use of a DECT repeater to relay messages between the portable device and the base station tends to increase the power consumption of the portable device. Aspects of the present disclosure recognize that the power consumption of the portable device can be reduced by eliminating the requirement for an end-to-end link to support wireless communications in a HAN.

[0026] Various aspects generally relate to a digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT) ultra low energy (ULE) home automation network (HAN), and more particularly to a range extender capable of extending the range of wireless communications in the HAN without increasing the power consumption of portable devices. In some aspects, the ULE range extender may include a fixed part (FP) component and a portable part (PP) component. The FP component is configured to communicate with one or more portable devices, and the PP component is configured to communicate with a base station (or another range extender). In some implementations, the FP component may receive an uplink message from the portable device via a first link, and may release the first link immediately in response to receiving the uplink message. For example, the uplink message may be an information packet intended for a base station. The PP component transmits the uplink message to the base station via a second link, and releases the second link upon receiving a confirmation that the uplink message has been received by the base station. In some implementations, the PP component may store the uplink message in a local queue until it is able to acquire the second link.

[0027] Specific implementations of the subject matter described in the present disclosure can be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. The ULE range extender of the present implementation can reduce the power consumption of portable devices in the HAN by eliminating the need for an end-to-end link to support communications between the portable device and the base station. For example, by locally storing or caching uplink messages on the ULE range extender, aspects of the present disclosure can release the wireless communication link with the portable device immediately after receiving the uplink message from the portable device. This allows the portable device to return to a low power state more quickly or otherwise reduce the number of transmission attempts for the same uplink message (compared to communications with a DECT repeater). Thereafter, when a wireless communication link with the base station becomes available, the ULE range extender can transmit the uplink message from its queue to the base station. Thus, the ULE range extender does not need to maintain a link with the base station and the portable device simultaneously.

[0028] Figure 1 A block diagram of an example wireless communication network 100 is shown according to some implementations. In some aspects, the wireless communication network 100 may be an example of a home automation network (HAN). In such aspects, the network 100 may implement the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) Ultra Low Energy (ULE) wireless communication standard. The network 100 includes a gateway 110, a range extender 120, and a portable device 130. For simplicity, the wireless communication network 100 may be an example of a home automation network (HAN). In such aspects, the network 100 may implement the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) Ultra Low Energy (ULE) wireless communication standard. The network 100 includes a gateway 110, a range extender 120, and a portable device 130. Figure 1 Only one portable device 130 is shown in FIG. 1 . In an actual implementation, the network 100 may include multiple portable devices.

[0029] The gateway 110 includes a host processor 112 and a base station 114. The base station 114 (also referred to as a "root node") represents the DECT ULE fixed part (FP) of the network 100. More specifically, the base station 114 enables the host processor 112 to communicate with portable devices (such as the portable device 130) in the network 100 over a DECT air interface. For example, the base station 114 can receive uplink messages from one or more portable devices via the DECT air interface and provide the received messages to the host processor 112. The base station 114 can also transmit downlink messages to one or more portable devices via the DECT air interface on behalf of the host processor 112.

[0030] Portable device 130 (also referred to as a "leaf") represents a DECT ULE portable part (PP) of network 100. As described above, a DECT ULE PP can be any portable device used in home automation, security or climate control applications. Example suitable portable devices may include sensors (such as smoke detectors or motion detectors), thermostats, and electrical control elements, among other examples. Portable device 130 registers with base station 114 so that messages can be routed between base station 114 and portable device 130. In other words, base station 114 stores registration information 122 that enables portable device 130 to communicate with base station 112 (and thus gateway 110) via a DECT air interface. For example, portable device 130 can transmit and receive messages (also referred to as "information packets") carrying information associated with a corresponding application over the DECT air interface.

[0031] The range extender 120 is configured to extend the wireless range of the network 100 by forwarding communications between the portable device 130 and the base station 114, such as when the portable device 130 is out of the wireless communication range of the base station 114. For example, the portable device 130 may transmit an uplink message via a first wireless communication link 101 with the range extender 120, and the range extender 120 may retransmit the uplink message via a second wireless communication link 102 with the base station 114. Alternatively or additionally, the base station 114 may transmit a downlink message via the second wireless communication link 102, and the range extender 120 may retransmit the downlink message to the portable device 130 via the first wireless communication link 101.

[0032] In some implementations, the range extender 120 may register the portable device 130 locally. In other words, the range extender 120 may also store registration information 122 associated with the portable device 130. The registration information 122 may include any information used to register the portable device 130 with the base station 114 (enabling messages to be routed between the base station 114 and the portable device 130). By storing such registration information 122 locally, the range extender 120 may be able to serve the portable device 130 in a similar capacity as the base station 114. For example, the range extender 120 may route or otherwise process messages from the portable device 130 based on the registration information 122.

[0033] In some implementations, the range extender 120 may include a message queue 124 for storing or buffering uplink messages received from the portable device 130. For example, upon receiving an uplink message 130 from the portable device 130, the range extender 120 may store the uplink message in the message queue 124 until it is able to transmit the uplink message to the base station 114. This allows the range extender 120 to release the first wireless communication link 101 immediately after (or in response to) receiving the uplink message from the portable device 130. In some implementations, the range extender 120 may release the first wireless communication link 101 before acquiring the second wireless communication link 102. Thus, only one of the wireless communication links 101 or 102 may be active at any given time.

[0034] In contrast to existing DECT repeaters (also known as "wireless relay stations"), the range extender 120 is able to facilitate communication between the portable device 130 and the base station 114 without requiring an end-to-end link. As a result, the portable device 130 is able to return to a low power state immediately after sending its message to the range extender 120 (rather than repeatedly attempting to transmit the same message until an end-to-end link is available). Thus, by locally registering the portable device 130 and caching messages received therefrom, the range extender 120 is able to extend the wireless communication range of the network 100 (by up to 2500 meters in an outdoor environment) while reducing the power consumption of the portable device 130 (by 200-400% compared to a DECT repeater).

[0035] Figure 2 A block diagram of an example DECT ULE range extender 200 is shown according to some implementations. The DECT ULE range extender 200 (also referred to as a "ULE extender") is configured to extend the wireless communication range of a HAN by forwarding messages between a base station and one or more portable devices. In some implementations, the ULE extender 200 may be Figure 1 An example of a range extender 120 is shown in FIG.

[0036] ULE expander 200 includes a fixed part (FP) component 210 (also referred to as an "expander-FP") and a portable part (PP) component 220 (also referred to as an "expander-PP"). In some implementations, expander-FP 210 and expander-PP 220 may be arranged on separate circuits or chips that are communicatively coupled to each other via a wired link (such as any link that conforms to a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART) communication protocol). In some other implementations, expander-FP 210 and expander-PP 220 may be arranged on the same circuit or chip.

[0037] The extender-FP 210 includes a physical layer (PHL) 211, a media access control (MAC) layer 212, a data link control (DLC) layer 213, and a HAN layer including a network (HAN-NW) sublayer 214 and an application (HAN-APP) sublayer 215. The PHL 211, the MAC layer 212, and the DLC layer 213 may conform to existing PHL, MAC, and DLC layer protocols defined by the DECT ULE standard, respectively. In some implementations, the HAN-NW layer 214 may transmit and receive HAN messages over the DECT air interface 202 according to existing HAN layer protocols. The DECT air interface 202 may also be referred to as a front-end DECT air interface (or "FE I / F"). In some implementations, the HAN-APP layer 215 may interface with the extender-PP 220 to route or otherwise process wireless communications over the HAN.

[0038] The extender-FP 210 is configured to communicate with portable devices or other ULE extenders via the front-end DECT air interface 202. In some aspects, the extender-FP 210 can operate as a DECTFP for the HAN. This allows the extender-FP 210 to serve portable devices with the same or similar capabilities as a base station. For example, in some implementations, the extender-FP 210 can store registration information associated with one or more portable devices (such as Figure 1 In other words, the portable device can register with the expander-FP 210 as it would be a base station or root node. As a result of registering the portable device, the expander-FP 210 can route uplink messages from the portable device and downlink messages to the portable device as if the expander-FP 210 were a base station.

[0039] The extender-PP 220 includes a PHL 221, a MAC layer 222, a DLC layer 223, and a HAN layer including a HAN-NW sublayer 224 and a HAN-APP sublayer 225. The PHL 221, the MAC layer 222, and the DLC layer 223 may conform to existing PHL, MAC, and DLC layer protocols defined by the DECT ULE standard, respectively. In some implementations, the HAN-NW layer 224 may transmit and receive HAN messages over the DECT air interface 204 according to existing HAN layer protocols. The DECT air interface 204 may also be referred to as a backend DECT air interface (or "BE I / F"). In some implementations, the HAN-APP layer 225 may interface with the extender-FP 210 to route or otherwise process wireless communications over the HAN.

[0040] The extender-PP 220 is configured to communicate with a base station (also referred to herein as a "mainbase") or other ULE extender over the backend DECT air interface 204. In some aspects, the extender-PP 220 may operate as a DECT PP for the HAN. This allows the extender-PP 220 to communicate with the mainbase as if it were a portable device. For example, in some implementations, the extender-PP 220 may (such as in Figure 1 The Expander-PP 220 may store or cache uplink messages intended for the primary base in its message queue 124. The uplink messages may originate from portable devices registered with the HAN. As such, the Expander-PP 220 may attempt to transmit messages from its message queue to the primary base as if the Expander-PP 220 were such a portable device.

[0041] In some aspects, the HAN-APP sublayer 225 of the expander-PP 220 may coordinate with the HAN-APP sublayer 215 of the expander-FP 210 (such as via a UART) to manage the registration of the portable device. In some implementations, when the portable device registers (or unregisters) with the expander-FP 210, the HAN-APP sublayer 215 may pass the registration information to the HAN-APP sublayer 225 so that the HAN-NW sublayer 224 can synchronize the device registration with the master base. In some other implementations, the HAN-NW sublayer 224 may receive registration information associated with the portable device (such as when the portable device registers or unregisters with the master base or other ULE expander). The HAN-APP sublayer 225 may pass such registration information to the HAN-APP sublayer 215 so that the HAN-NW sublayer 214 can locally register (or unregister) the portable device.

[0042] In some aspects, the HAN-APP sublayer 215 of the expander-FP 210 may coordinate with the HAN-APP sublayer 225 of the expander-FP 220 (such as via UART) to migrate a portable device to or from the ULE expander 200. In some implementations, the HAN-NW sublayer 224 may receive an instruction from the master base indicating that the ULE expander 200 is to serve a portable device currently being served by the master base or another ULE expander. In some other implementations, the HAN-NW sublayer 224 may receive an instruction from the master base indicating that the ULE expander 200 is to stop serving a particular portable device. The HAN-APP sublayer 225 may pass the instruction to the HAN-APP sublayer 215 so that the HAN-NW sublayer 214 can start or stop communicating with the portable device.

[0043] In some aspects, the HAN-APP sublayer 215 of the expander-FP 210 may coordinate with the HAN-APP sublayer 225 of the expander-PP 220 (such as via a UART) to manage communications between the main base and the one or more portable devices. In some implementations, the HAN-APP sublayer 215 may pass an uplink message received by the HAN-NW sublayer 214 to the HAN-APP sublayer 225, so that the HAN-NW sublayer 224 can retransmit the uplink message over the backend DECT air interface 204. In some other implementations, the HAN-APP sublayer 225 may pass a downlink message received by the HAN-NW sublayer 224 to the HAN-APP sublayer 215, so that the HAN-NW sublayer 214 can retransmit the downlink message over the frontend DECT air interface 202.

[0044] In some other aspects, the extender-FP 210 can directly route messages between multiple portable devices. For example, since the extender-FP 210 operates as a DECT FP (or base station) for any locally registered portable device within wireless communication range, the extender-FP 210 is able to route messages between such devices based on the registration information stored therein (and without communicating with the extender-PP 220 or the primary base). This allows for faster routing of messages between portable devices that are relatively close together.

[0045] Figure 3A A sequence diagram 300 is shown depicting an example process of device registration in a HAN according to some implementations. The HAN includes a base station 301 (also referred to as a "primary base") and a ULE extender 302. In some implementations, the HAN may be Figure 1 An example of HAN 100. Reference Figure 1 , base station 301 may be an example of base station 114 , and ULE extender 302 may be an example of range extender 120 .

[0046] ULE expander 302 also includes expander-FP and expander-PP. In some implementations, ULE expander 302 may be Figure 2 An example of a ULE expander 200 is shown in FIG. Figure 2 , the extender-FP may be an example of the extender-FP 210, and the extender-PP may be an example of the extender-PP 220. More specifically, the extender-FP may operate as a DECT FP configured to communicate with one or more portable devices, and the extender-PP may operate as a DECT PP configured to communicate with a base station.

[0047] exist Figure 3AIn the example of FIG. 3 , the portable device 303 is trying to join the HAN, but is out of the wireless communication range of the primary base 301. Thus, the portable device 303 may transmit a registration request (REG_REQUEST) message to the ULE extender 302. The REG_REQUEST message may include registration information associated with the portable device 303.

[0048] The Extender-FP receives the REG_REQUEST message and registers the portable device 303. For example, the Extender-FP may store registration information associated with the portable device 303 locally on the ULE Extender 302. Upon completion of the registration, the Extender-FP may transmit a confirmation (REG_CONFIRM) message back to the portable device 303 indicating that the device has been successfully registered.

[0049] The expander-FP passes a registration indication (REG_IND) message to the expander-PP (such as via a UART). The REG_IND message informs the expander-PP that the portable device 303 is newly registered with the expander-FP. The expander-PP responds to the REG_IND message by retrieving registration information associated with the portable device 303 from the expander-FP and transmitting the registration information to the base station 301 in a corresponding registration information (REG_INFORMATION) message.

[0050] The base station 301 registers the portable device 303 based on the received REG_INFORMATION message. For example, the base station 301 may store a copy of the registration information associated with the portable device 303. As a result, the registration information of the portable device 303 is synchronized across the base station 301 and the ULE extender 302.

[0051] Figure 3B A sequence diagram 310 is shown depicting example uplink communications in a HAN according to some implementations. The HAN includes Figure 3A In other words, the portable device 303 has registered with the extender-FP of the ULE extender 302 and the base station 301 (such as reference Figure 3A to describe).

[0052] exist Figure 3B In the example of FIG. 3 , the portable device 303 has an information packet (IP1) to send to the base station 301. The portable device 303 acquires or otherwise establishes a first wireless communication link 311 with the ULE extender 302 (or extender-FP), and transmits an access request and release (ACESS_REQ_REL) message having a B-field carrying the information packet IP1 over the link 311.

[0053] The extender-FP receives the ACCESS_REQ_REL message and immediately releases the link 311 with the portable device 303. For example, the extender-FP may transmit a RELEASE message back to the portable device 303 in response to receiving the ACCESS_REQ_REL message. The portable device 303 knows based on the RELEASE message that the ULE extender 302 successfully received the information packet IP1, and may continue to return to the low power state (or may stop attempting to transmit the information packet IP1 in other ways).

[0054] The Extender-FP passes the ACCESS_REQ_REL message (including the information packet IP1) to the Extender-PP. The Extender-PP adds the ACCESS_REQ_REL message to a local queue (such as a local queue) when it attempts to acquire or otherwise establish a second wireless communication link 312 with the base station 301. Figure 1 Upon acquiring link 312, the Extender-PP transmits the ACESS_REQ_REL message from its local queue to the base station 301 (via link 312). After transmitting the message to the base station 301, the Extender-FP may remove the ACCESS_REQ_REL message from its local queue.

[0055] The base station 301 receives the ACCESS_REQ_REL message and releases the link 312 with the ULE extender 302. For example, the base station 301 may transmit a RELEASE message back to the extender-PP in response to receiving the ACCESS_REQ_REL message. Figure 3B As shown in , only one of the wireless communication links 311 or 312 may be active at any given time. More specifically, before acquiring the link 312 with the base station 301, the ULE extender 302 releases the link 311 with the portable device 303.

[0056] Figure 3C A sequence diagram 320 is shown depicting example downlink communications in a HAN according to some implementations. The HAN includes Figure 3A The portable device 303 is registered with the ULE extender 302's extender-FP and the base station 301 (such as the reference number). Figure 3A to describe).

[0057] exist Figure 3CIn the example of FIG. 3 , a host device (not shown for simplicity) associated with base station 301 has a HAN function (FUN) message to send to portable device 303. Thus, base station 301 transmits a HAN FUN message (HAN_FUN_MS_SEND) to ULE extender 302.

[0058] The extender-PP receives the HAN FUN message from the base station 301 and forwards the message (MS_SEND) to the extender-FP. The extender-FP transmits the HAN_FUN message to the portable device 303 and provides a response (MS_SEND_RES) indicating that the HAN FUN message has been transmitted to the portable device 303 to the extender-PP.

[0059] The Extender-PP notifies the base station 301 that the HANFUN message has been transmitted to the portable device 303 by transmitting a response message (HAN_FUN_MS_SEND_RES) to the base station 301 based on the response received from the Extender-FP.

[0060] In some aspects, the wireless communication range of the HAN can be further extended by implementing multiple ULE extenders (such as in a daisy chain configuration). In other words, the extender-FP of the first ULE extender in the daisy chain can be configured to communicate with the extender-PP of the second ULE extender in the daisy chain. Since each ULE extender operates as both a DECT FP and a DECT PP, daisy-chaining multiple ULE extenders between the portable device and the base station does not increase the overhead or power consumption of the portable device compared to a single ULE extender implementation (because the portable device does not require an end-to-end link to communicate with the base station). In contrast, daisy-chaining multiple DECT repeaters between the portable device and the base station will significantly increase the power consumption and overhead of the portable device compared to a single repeater implementation (because the portable device will require an end-to-end link to communicate with the base station).

[0061] Figure 4A Another sequence diagram 400 depicting example operations for device registration in a HAN according to some implementations is shown. The HAN includes a base station 401 (also referred to as a "primary base") and several ULE extenders 402 and 404. Although the two ULE extenders 402 and 404 are in Figure 4A 402 and 404, but in actual implementations, the HAN may include any number of ULE extenders. In some implementations, each of the ULE extenders 402 and 404 may be Figure 1 Range extender 120 or Figure 2For example, each of the ULE expanders 402 and 404 may include a corresponding expander-FP and a corresponding expander-PP (not shown for simplicity). Figure 1 , base station 401 can be an example of base station 114.

[0062] exist Figure 4A In the example of FIG. 4 , portable device 403 is attempting to join the HAN, but is out of the wireless communication range of primary base 401. Thus, portable device 403 may transmit a registration request (REG_REQUEST) message to one of ULE extenders 402 or 404. In some implementations, portable device 403 may transmit a REG_REQUEST message to the closest ULE extender. Figure 4A As shown in FIG. 4 , the portable device 403 transmits a REG_REQUEST message to the ULE extender 402. The REG_REQUEST message may include registration information associated with the portable device 403.

[0063] The ULE extender 402 registers the portable device 403 based on the received REG_REQUEST message. For example, the ULE extender 402 may store registration information associated with the portable device 403. Upon completion of the registration, the ULE extender 402 may transmit a confirmation (REG_CONFIRM) message back to the portable device 403 indicating that the device has been successfully registered.

[0064] ULE extender 402 further transmits registration information associated with portable device 403 to base station 401 in a corresponding REG_INFORMATION message. Base station 401 registers portable device 403 based on the received REG_INFORMATION message. For example, base station 401 may store a copy of the registration information associated with portable device 403.

[0065] Base station 401 further transmits a HAN FUN message (DEV_REG_IND) indicating that a new portable device has been registered with the HAN to ULE extender 404. For example, the DEV_REG_IND message may be used to synchronize the registration of portable device 403 across all ULE extenders in ULE extenders 402 and 404. Thus, in some implementations, the REG_DEV_IND message may also carry registration information associated with portable device 403.

[0066] The ULE extender 404 registers the portable device 403 based on the received DEV_REG_IND message. For example, the extender-PP of the ULE extender 404 may pass the DEV_REG_IND message to the extender-FP of the ULE extender 404, and the extender-FP may locally store the registration information associated with the portable device 403 on the ULE extender 404. As a result, the registration information of the portable device 403 is synchronized across the base station 401 and the ULE extenders 402 and 404.

[0067] Figure 4B Another sequence diagram 410 is shown depicting example uplink communications in a HAN according to some implementations. The HAN includes Figure 4A In other words, the portable device 403 has registered with the ULE extenders 402 and 404 and the base station 401 (such as the reference Figure 4A to describe).

[0068] exist Figure 4B In the example of FIG. 4 , the portable device 403 is currently behind (or closest to) the ULE extender 404 and has an information packet (IP1) to send to the base station 401. Thus, the portable device 403 acquires or otherwise establishes a first wireless communication link 411 with the ULE extender 404 and transmits an access request and release (ACCES_REQ_REL) message having a B-field carrying the information packet IP1 over the link 411.

[0069] In response to, for example, receiving the ACCESS_REQ_REL message, the ULE extender 404 releases the link 411 with the portable device 403 by transmitting a RELEASE message back to the portable device 403. The portable device 403 knows based on the RELEASE message that the ULE extender 404 successfully received the information packet IP1 and may continue to return to the low power state (or may otherwise stop attempting to transmit the information packet IP1).

[0070] ULE extender 404 adds the ACCESS_REQ_REL message to the local queue when it attempts to acquire or otherwise establish a second wireless communication link 412 with ULE extender 402. Upon acquiring link 412, ULE extender 404 transmits the ACCESS_REQ_REL message from its local queue to ULE extender 402 (over link 412). After transmitting the message to ULE extender 402, ULE extender 404 may remove the ACCESS_REQ_REL message from its local queue.

[0071] The ULE extender 402 releases the link 412 with the ULE extender 404 by transmitting a RELEASE message back to the ULE extender 404 in response to, for example, receiving the ACCESS_REQ_REL message. The ULE extender 402 also adds the ACCESS_REQ_REL message to the local queue when it attempts to acquire or otherwise establish a third wireless communication link 413 with the base station 401. When acquiring the link 413, the ULE extender 402 transmits the ACCESS_REQ_REL message from its local queue to the base station 401 (via the link 413). After transmitting the message to the base station 401, the ULE extender 402 may remove the ACCESS_REQ_REL message from its local queue.

[0072] In response to, for example, receiving the ACCESS_REQ_REL message, the base station 401 releases the link 413 with the ULE extender 402 by transmitting a RELEASE message back to the ULE extender 402. Figure 4B As shown in , only one of the wireless communication links 411, 412, or 413 may be active at any given time. More specifically, before acquiring the link 412 with the ULE extender 402, the ULE extender 404 releases the link 411 with the portable device 403, and before acquiring the link 413 with the base station 401, the ULE extender 402 releases the link 412 with the ULE extender 404.

[0073] Figure 4C Another sequence diagram 420 is shown depicting example downlink communications in a HAN according to some implementations. The HAN includes Figure 4A In other words, the portable device 403 has registered with the ULE extenders 402 and 404 and the base station 401 (such as the reference Figure 4A to describe).

[0074] exist Figure 4C In the example of FIG. 4 , portable device 403 is currently behind (or closest to) ULE extender 404, and a host device (not shown for simplicity) has a HAN FUN message to send to portable device 403. Thus, base station 401 transmits a HAN FUN message (HAN_FUN_MS_SEND) to ULE extender 402.

[0075] ULE extender 402 further transmits the HAN FUN message to ULE extender 404, and also transmits an intermediate response message (INTERMEDIATE_RESP) indicating that the HAN FUN message was transmitted to another ULE extender back to base station 401. For example, the intermediate response message may indicate the progress of the HAN FUN message as it passes through the daisy chain of ULE extenders.

[0076] ULE extender 404 further transmits the HANFUN message to portable device 403, and also transmits a final response message (HAN_FUN_MS_SEND_RES) indicating that the HAN FUN message was transmitted to portable device 403 back to ULE extender 402. ULE extender 402 further transmits the final response message back to base station 401 to inform base station 401 that the HANFUN message has reached its destination.

[0077] Figure 5 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device 500 is shown according to some implementations. The wireless communication device 500 is configured to extend the wireless communication range of a HAN. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 500 may be Figure 1 Range extender 120 or Figure 2 An example of a ULE expander 200 is shown.

[0078] The wireless communication device 500 includes a communication interface 510, a processing system 520, and a memory 530. The communication interface 510 is configured to communicate with one or more devices in the HAN. In some aspects, the communication interface 510 may include a fixed part (FP) interface 512 that communicates with one or more portable devices (or ULE extenders) and a portable part (PP) interface 514 that communicates with a base station (or other ULE extender).

[0079] The memory 530 may include a data storage device (store) 532 to store any data required to facilitate communication between the base station and the portable device. In some implementations, the data storage device 532 may be configured to store registration information associated with one or more portable devices. In some other implementations, the data storage device 532 may be configured to store or cache information packets (or uplink messages) received from one or more portable devices.

[0080] The memory 530 may also include a non-transitory computer-readable medium (including one or more non-volatile memory elements, such as EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or hard drive, among other examples), which may store at least the following software (SW) modules: FP link management SW module 534, which receives the first packet for the base station via the first link and responds Releasing the first link in response to receiving the first packet; · Packet routing SW module 536, which transmits the first packet to the base station via the second link; and · PP link management SW module 538, which receives an acknowledgement of the first packet by the base station and responds to the receipt The second link is released upon receiving the confirmation. Each software module includes instructions that, when executed by processing system 520 , cause wireless communication device 500 to perform a corresponding function.

[0081] The processing system 520 may include any suitable one or more processors capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in the wireless communication device 500 (such as in the memory 530). For example, the processing system 520 may execute the FP link management SW module 534 to receive a first packet for the base station via the first link and release the first link in response to receiving the first packet. The processing system 520 may also execute the packet routing SW module 536 to transmit the first packet to the base station via the second link. In addition, the processing system 520 may execute the PP link management SW module 538 to receive an acknowledgment of the first packet by the base station and release the second link in response to receiving the acknowledgment.

[0082] Figure 6 An illustrative flow chart depicting example operations 600 for wireless communication according to some implementations is shown. In some implementations, the example operations 600 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as Figure 1 Range extender 120, Figure 2 ULE Expander 200 or Figure 5 The wireless communication device 500) is executed.

[0083] The wireless communication device receives a first packet for a base station via a first link (610). The wireless communication device releases the first link in response to receiving the first packet (620). The wireless communication device transmits the first packet to the base station via a second link (630). The wireless communication device receives an acknowledgement of the packet by the base station (640). The wireless communication device releases the second link in response to receiving the acknowledgement (650).

[0084] In some aspects, the base station may represent a DECT ULE FP of the HAN. In some implementations, the wireless communication device may be a range extender that operates as a DECT ULE FP and a DECT ULE PP in the HAN. In some implementations, the first packet may be received from the range extender that operates as a DECT ULE FP and a DECT ULE PP in the HAN.

[0085] In some other implementations, the first packet may be received from a portable device representing a DECT ULE PP of the HAN.In some implementations, the wireless communication device may further receive registration information associated with the portable device and establish the first link with the portable device based on the received registration information.

[0086] In some aspects, the registration information may be received from the portable device, and the wireless communication device may further transmit the registration information to the base station. In some other aspects, the registration information may be received from the base station. In some implementations, the registration information may be carried in one or more HAN FUN messages.

[0087] In some implementations, transmitting the first packet to the base station may include: establishing a second link with the base station; and storing the first packet in a local queue of the wireless communication device before establishing the second link. In some implementations, the first link may be released before transmitting the first packet to the base station.

[0088] In some implementations, the wireless communication device may further receive a second packet for the portable device via a third link, release the third link in response to receiving the second packet, establish a fourth link with the portable device, and transmit the second packet to the portable device via the fourth link.

[0089] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0090] In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two. In order to clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described above in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. The technician may implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0091] The methods, sequences, or algorithms described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented directly in hardware, in software modules executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The software modules may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. In an alternative, the storage medium may be integrated with the processor.

[0092] In the foregoing description, the embodiments have been described with reference to specific examples thereof. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. Therefore, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication performed by a wireless communication device, comprising: receiving a first packet for a base station via a first link; releasing the first link in response to receiving the first packet; transmitting the first packet to the base station via a second link; receiving an acknowledgement of the first packet by the base station; as well as The second link is released in response to receiving the acknowledgment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: The base station represents the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) Ultra Low Energy (ULE) Fixed Part (FP) of a Home Automation Network (HAN).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein: The wireless communication device comprises a range extender operating as a DECT ULE FP and a DECT ULE PP in the HAN.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein: Said first packet is received from a portable device representing a DECT ULE portable part (PP) of said HAN.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: receiving registration information associated with the portable device; as well as The first link with the portable device is established based on the received registration information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein: Receiving the registration information from the portable device, the method further comprising: The registration information is transmitted to the base station.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein: The registration information is received from the base station.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein: The registration information is carried in one or more HAN function (FUN) messages.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein: The first packet is received from a range extender operating as a DECT ULE FP and a DECT ULE PP in the HAN.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein: The transmitting of the first packet to the base station comprises: establishing the second link with the base station; and Prior to establishing the second link, the first packet is stored in a local queue of the wireless communication device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein: Before transmitting the first packet to the base station, the first link is released.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a second packet for the portable device via a third link; releasing the third link in response to receiving the second packet; establishing a fourth link with the portable device; as well as The second packet is transmitted to the portable device via the fourth link.

13. A wireless communication device, comprising: Processing systems; as well as a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processing system, cause the wireless communication device to: receiving a first packet for a base station via a first link; releasing the first link in response to receiving the first packet; transmitting the first packet to the base station via a second link; receiving an acknowledgement of the first packet by the base station; as well as The second link is released in response to receiving the acknowledgment.

14. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein: The base station represents the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) Ultra Low Energy (ULE) Fixed Part (FP) of a Home Automation Network (HAN).

15. The wireless communication device according to claim 14, wherein: The wireless communication device comprises a range extender operating as a DECT ULE FP and a DECT ULE PP in the HAN.

16. The wireless communication device according to claim 14, wherein: Said first packet is received from a portable device representing a DECTULE portable part (PP) of said HAN.

17. The wireless communication device according to claim 16, wherein: Execution of the instructions further causes the wireless communication device to: receiving registration information associated with the portable device; and The first link with the portable device is established based on the received registration information.

18. The wireless communication device according to claim 14, wherein: The first packet is received from a range extender operating as a DECT ULE FP and a DECT ULE PP in the HAN.

19. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein: Before transmitting the first packet to the base station, the first link is released.

20. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein: Execution of the instructions further causes the wireless communication device to: receiving a second packet for the portable device via a third link; releasing the third link in response to receiving the second packet; establishing a fourth link with the portable device; as well as The second packet is transmitted to the portable device via the fourth link.

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