Communication method for link setup

The communication method for link setup without frequency references addresses power consumption issues by using scan and return packets to determine the operating frequency of low-power devices, ensuring accurate frequency identification and efficient communication.

JP7762032B2Active Publication Date: 2025-10-29SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021165787
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2021-03-25
Filing Date
2021-10-07
Publication Date
2025-10-29
Estimated Expiration
2041-10-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional communication methods for link setup rely on frequency references like crystal-based oscillators or phase-locked loops, which consume significant power and are unsuitable for low-power devices without reliable frequency settings.

Method used

A communication method that enables link setup without a frequency reference by using scan and return packets to determine the operating frequency of low-power devices, where the control device changes its transmission frequency to receive return packets and identifies the target device's frequency based on reception frequency.

Benefits of technology

This method allows reliable frequency identification of low-power devices without the need for power-consuming frequency references, enabling efficient communication setup with high accuracy.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a communication method for link setup without frequency reference.SOLUTION: In a communication system 100, a communication method for link setup includes the steps of: causing a control device 110 to change a transmission frequency in a scan frequency range and sequentially send a plurality of scan packets each including information about the current transmission frequency to a plurality of target devices 120 and 130; and causing the control device 110 to receive a return packet including information about the reception frequency of the target devices 120 and 130 corresponding to any one of the current transmission frequencies included in the plurality of scan packets from the target devices 120 and 130.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication method for link setup, and more particularly to a communication method for link setup without a frequency reference. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to establish a communication channel between communication devices, communication devices generally exchange packets in a predetermined frequency band. In this process, the operating frequency can be set relatively accurately to a desired value using a frequency reference such as a crystal-based reference oscillator or a phase-locked loop (PLL).

[0003] In this regard, methods such as dividing the frequency range and allocating it to multiple communication devices to efficiently manage the promised frequency, adjusting communication timing to optimize power consumption, and preparing for frequency offsets of the reference oscillator or PLL are used.

[0004] All such methods assume that the operating frequency of the communications equipment can be set to a desired value. That is, the link setup was performed using the above frequency reference. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-127141 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems with the conventional communication methods for link setup described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication method for performing link setup without a frequency reference. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a communication method according to the present invention is a communication method for link setup, the method comprising: changing a transmission frequency of the control device within a scan frequency range by a control device; While , each Scan packets sent Regarding the current transmission frequency 1st information Multiple scan packets containing Ta a step of sequentially transmitting the scan packets to the target device, and a step of detecting, in the control device, a frequency corresponding to one of the current transmission frequencies included in the plurality of scan packets. The target device identified Regarding the receiving frequency of the target device 2nd information and receiving a return packet from the target device including:

[0008] The step of receiving the return packet includes changing the receiving frequency of the control device within a return frequency range. While Preferably, the method includes the step of attempting to receive the return packet. The received return packet is Record It is preferable that the return packet corresponds to one of a plurality of return packets transmitted by the target device, and the transmission frequency of the target device is determined in accordance with the reception frequency of the control device that received the return packet. It is preferable that the method further includes the steps of: receiving one of the plurality of scan packets from the control device by the target device; determining the receiving frequency of the target device from first information on the current transmitting frequency included in the one scan packet by the target device; and sequentially transmitting a plurality of return packets including the return packet to the control device by the target device. Preferably, each of the plurality of scan packets further includes return timing information including a total number of scan packets, an index of a current scan packet, and a transmission period. The return packet is preferably received after a waiting time indicated by the return timing information. The return packet is preferably transmitted after a waiting time indicated by the return timing information. Preferably, each of the return packets further includes identification information of the target device. When a first link setup between the control device and the target device and a second link setup between the control device and another target device are performed simultaneously, it is preferable that the return packet be distinguished from other return packets of the other target device via the identification information of the target device. Preferably, the scan packet further includes return procedure information including the total number of return packets including the return packet and a return period. Preferably, each of the plurality of return packets further includes information regarding an index of a current return packet, and a waiting time remaining until the end of the return procedure is identified based on the return procedure information and the index of the return packet.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a communication method according to the present invention is a communication method for link setup, ,Ta The target device is connected to the control device's transmission frequency. 1st information receiving a scan packet from the control device, the scan packet including the Record The target device transmits the 1st information a step of determining the receiving frequency of the target device from the Record each of the target devices is connected to the receiving frequency of the target device. 2nd information and sequentially transmitting a plurality of return packets including the above to the control device.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a communication method includes the steps of receiving a scan packet from a control device, the scan packet including information about a transmission frequency of the control device, determining a reception frequency of a target device from the information about the transmission frequency of the control device, and sequentially transmitting return packets to the control device, each return packet including information about the reception frequency of the target device, such that the target device can communicate with the control device without a frequency reference.

[0011] The received scan packet corresponds to one of a plurality of scan packets transmitted by the control device at different frequencies within a scan frequency range, and each of the plurality of scan packets corresponds to a current transmission frequency. 1st information It is preferred that the compound contains: Preferably, the target device communicates with the control device without a frequency reference. Preferably, each of the plurality of scan packets further includes return timing information including a total number of scan packets, an index of a current scan packet, and a transmission period. The return packet is preferably received after a waiting time indicated by the return timing information. The return packet is preferably transmitted after a waiting time indicated by the return timing information. Preferably, each of the return packets further includes identification information of the target device. When a first link setup between the control device and the target device and a second link setup between the control device and another target device are performed simultaneously, it is preferable that the return packet be distinguished from other return packets of the other target device via the identification information of the target device. Preferably, the scan packet further includes return procedure information including the total number of return packets including the return packet and a return period. Preferably, each of the plurality of return packets further includes information regarding an index of a current return packet, and the remaining waiting time until the end of the return procedure is identified based on the return procedure information and the index of the return packet.

[0012] Further, a communication method according to the present invention, which has been made to achieve the above object, is a communication method for link setup, in which a control device controls a transmission frequency of each scan packet. 1st information and a step of changing the receiving frequency within the return frequency range to receive the return packets.

[0013] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of determining the receiving frequency of the target device based on the return packet. Preferably, the return packet includes target receiving frequency information generated based on one of the transmission frequency information of one of the scan packets, and the step of determining the receiving frequency of the target device includes the step of determining the receiving frequency based on the target receiving frequency information. The return packet is preferably generated by the target device without the use of a frequency reference.

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, a computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention stores one or more programs including instructions for executing the communication method of the present invention.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the control device includes a communication unit that changes the transmission frequency of the control device within a scan frequency range, sequentially transmits scan packets to the target device, each including information about a current transmission frequency, and receives a return packet from the target device including information about a receiving frequency of the target device that corresponds to any one of the current transmission frequencies included in the scan packet. According to one embodiment, the target device includes a communication unit that receives a scan packet from the control device containing information regarding the transmission frequency of the control device, determines the receiving frequency of the target device from the information regarding the transmission frequency of the control device, and sequentially transmits return packets to the control device, each return packet containing information regarding the receiving frequency of the target device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the communication method for link setup of the present invention, the control device attempts to receive return packets by changing its receiving frequency within the return frequency range, and receives one of the return packets at a specific frequency within the return frequency range. The transmitting frequency of the target device is determined corresponding to the receiving frequency of the control device at which the return packet is received. Since the operating frequency of the control device is highly reliable, the frequency at which the control device receives the return packet identifies the actual transmitting frequency of the target device with high reliability. Therefore, the control device can grasp the transmitting frequency of the target device through the receiving frequency of the control device at which the return packet is received. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1A] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a frequency reference. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example for explaining a conventional link setup procedure for a target device. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a link setup procedure for a target device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a scanning procedure for link setup according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a return procedure for link setup according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating a link setup procedure for multiple target devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a link setup procedure of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a link setup procedure for a target device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control device and a target device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication process of a control device for link setup according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a communication process of a target device for link setup according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Next, a specific example of an embodiment for carrying out a communication method for link setup according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, various modifications can be made to the embodiments, and the scope of the patent application is not limited or restricted by the embodiments. Any modifications, equivalents or alternatives to the embodiments must be understood to fall within the scope of the claims.

[0019] The terms used in this specification are used merely to describe particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, the terms "comprise" or "have" and the like are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, numeral, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Commonly used, predefined terms should be construed to have a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be construed as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless expressly defined herein. In addition, when describing the present invention with reference to the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the description of the embodiments, if a detailed description of related known technology is determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0020] In addition, in describing the components of the embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. Such terms are used only to distinguish a component from other components, and do not limit the essence, order, or sequence of the components. When any component is described as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, but that additional components may be "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" between each component. Components included in any one embodiment and components having common functions will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, the description of one embodiment may also be applied to other embodiments, and detailed descriptions will be omitted to the extent that they overlap.

[0021] FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1A, a communication system 100 includes a control device 110 and a target device 120 . The control device 110 controls the operation of the target device 120 through communication with the target device 120 and receives data from the target device 120 that is internal to the target device 120 and / or that has been acquired by the target device 120 . Although FIG. 1A illustrates communication system 100 as including one control device 110 and one target device 120, communication system 100 may include multiple control devices 110 and / or target devices 120.

[0022] The control device 110 and the target device 120 perform link setup to establish a communication connection between them, and in this process, they learn each other's operating frequencies. The operating frequencies include a transmitting operating frequency (hereinafter simply referred to as a "transmitting frequency") and a receiving operating frequency (hereinafter simply referred to as a "receiving frequency"), and the control device 110 and the target device 120 may communicate via the recognized operating frequencies. For example, once the operating frequency of the target device 120 is determined through the link setup procedure, the control device 110 adjusts the transmission frequency to match the receiving frequency of the target device 120 and transmits a signal, and adjusts the receiving frequency to match the transmission frequency of the target device 120 and receives a signal from the target device 120.

[0023] Conventional link setup procedures assume that the operating frequency can be reliably set to the desired value. Referring to FIG. 1A, the control device 110 and the target device 130 include a frequency reference 111 and a frequency reference 131, respectively. For reference, target device 130 is shown for comparison with target device 120 and is not shown as part of communication system 100 . For clarity in distinguishing it from target device 130, target device 120 will be referred to below as the "low-power target device."

[0024] The control device 110 sets its operating frequency to a desired value via frequency reference 111 , and the target device 130 also sets its operating frequency to a desired value via frequency reference 131 . For example, the frequency references (111, 131) provide a stable and reliable operating frequency through circuits such as a crystal-based reference oscillator or a phase locked loop (PLL). Further details regarding frequency references (111, 131) are provided below with reference to FIG. 1B.

[0025] FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a frequency reference. Referring to FIG. 1B, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) 155 provides a frequency output. The frequency reference 150 includes a divider 151, a comparator 152, a crystal oscillator (XO) 153, and a controller 154, through which the frequency output of the VCO 155 is accurately set and the set frequency output is kept constant.

[0026] More specifically, the comparator 152 compares the frequency output of the VCO 155, which has been divided by the frequency divider 151, with the accurate reference frequency of the XO 153, and outputs a signal corresponding to the difference. The controller 154 controls the VCO 155 with a control signal corresponding to the output of the comparator 152, and keeps the frequency output of the VCO 155 constant. The frequency output of VCO 155 is adjusted via the division ratio of divider 151 . Frequency reference 150 is merely one example of the frequency references (111, 131) shown in FIG. 1A, and frequency references (111, 131) may be implemented in a variety of ways different from frequency reference 150.

[0027] Referring again to FIG. 1A, the control device 110 and the target device 130 may be provided with a stable frequency via the frequency references (111, 131) and may use this to perform conventional link setup procedures. However, the frequency references (111, 131) may consume a relatively large amount of power during the communication process. For example, for demodulation in the baseband, the received signal is down-converted using an internally generated carrier signal, but the down-conversion process can consume a large amount of power to drive the reference oscillator, PLL, etc.

[0028] The target device 120 may be designed not to include components corresponding to frequency references (111, 131) that consume such large amounts of power. For example, the target device 120 may include an element such as a non-downconverting super-regenerative oscillator in place of the frequency reference (111, 131). As a result, the power consumption of target device 120 may be significantly lower than that of target device 130 . For example, the power consumption of the target device 120 may be less than 1 mW. As such, the target device 120 may be used as a body-insertable or body-attached device, or as an ultra-low power device such as a node in the internet of things (IoT).

[0029] The target device 120 does not include a corresponding configuration for the frequency reference (111, 131), and therefore the target device 120 cannot verify its own operating frequency. For example, there may be an error between the frequency set by the target device 120 and the actual frequency. Such errors may occur due to deformation of the elements of the target device 120 or environmental factors around the target device 120 that affect the operating frequency, and may reach, for example, several MHz. Conventional link setup procedures are not suitable for target devices 120 with such frequency errors, since they rely on the operating frequency being set with high reliability.

[0030] As will be explained below, the control device 110 and the target device 120 perform the link setup procedure under the assumption that the operating frequency set by the target device 120 is not highly reliable. Such a link setup procedure is typically performed in dependence on a frequency reference 111 of the control device 110, and the operating frequency of the target device 120 is ascertained through the link setup procedure. The link setup procedure according to this embodiment can be used not only for the target device 120, but also for devices that include a configuration corresponding to the frequency reference (111, 131) or a similar configuration, but do not have high frequency setting accuracy.

[0031] The procedure for setting up a link between the control device 110 and the target device 120 will now be described in detail. To facilitate understanding of the procedure for setting up a link between the control device 110 and the target device 120, a brief description of the conventional procedure for setting up a link will also be given.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional link setup procedure for a target device. It is assumed that target device 220 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to a conventional target device such as target device 130 shown in FIG. 1A, and that the operating frequency can be set to a desired value via a frequency reference. It is assumed that controller 210, like controller 110 of FIG. 1A, can also set its operating frequency to a desired value via a frequency reference.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, the link setup procedure includes a scan procedure and a return procedure. In the scan procedure, the control device 210 changes the transmission frequency of the control device 210 within the scan frequency range and transmits a scan packet to the target device 220 . During this process, the target device 220 receives one of the scan packets that matches its own receiving frequency. Each scan packet includes target transmit frequency information 231 .

[0034] The target transmission frequency information 231 indicates a transmission frequency for the target device 220 to transmit a return packet to the control device 210 in response to the scan packet. Since the transmission frequency of the target device 220 for transmitting the return packet is the same as the reception frequency of the control device 210 for receiving the return packet, the target transmission frequency may mean the transmission frequency at which the target device 220 transmits a packet to the control device 210, or may mean the reception frequency at which the control device 210 receives the packet from the target device 220. Generally, the receiving frequency of the control device 210 is constant, so the target transmitting frequency information 231 of each scan packet may all include information about the same frequency value.

[0035] In the return procedure, the target device 220 sets the transmission frequency of the target device 220 according to the target transmission frequency information 231 and transmits a return packet including the target reception frequency information 232 to the control device 210 . The target device 220 corresponds to a conventional target device like the target device 130 shown in FIG. 1A, and can accurately set its own transmission and reception frequencies via a frequency reference. Therefore, the frequency received in the scan packet is guaranteed to be the receiving frequency of the target device 220, and the frequency at which the return packet is transmitted is guaranteed to be the receiving frequency of the control device 210, in other words, the frequency specified by the target transmission frequency information 231.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a link setup procedure for a low-power target device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The target device 320 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to a low-power target device like the target device 120 shown in FIG. 1A and does not include a frequency reference, so there may be a discrepancy between the set frequency value and the actual operating frequency. It is assumed that controller 310 can set the operating frequency to a desired value via a frequency reference, such as controller 110 shown in FIG. 1A.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, the link setup procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a scan procedure and a return procedure, similar to the conventional link setup procedure. In the scan procedure, the control device 310 changes the transmission frequency of the control device 310 within the scan frequency range and transmits scan packets to the target device 320 sequentially. During this process, the target device 320 receives one of the scan packets that matches its own receiving frequency. Each scan packet includes target reception frequency confirmation information 331 and target transmission execution information 332 .

[0038] The target receiving frequency confirmation information 331 includes information for the target device 320 to confirm its own receiving frequency. The target device 320 sets its receiving frequency to a given frequency to receive the scan packet, but there may be an error between the receiving frequency set by the target device 320 and the actual operating receiving frequency. This is because the target device 320 sets its operating frequency without a frequency reference. Therefore, the frequency given as the receiving frequency cannot be regarded as the actual receiving frequency of the target device 320, and it is necessary to confirm the actual receiving frequency through other methods.

[0039] In this regard, the target receiving frequency confirmation information 331 may include information regarding the current transmitting frequency of the control device 310 . More specifically, the control device 310 transmits scan packets to the target device 320 while changing the transmission frequency within the scan frequency range, and records information about the transmission frequency of the scan packet in each scan packet. Therefore, the target device 320 can confirm its own receiving frequency via the receiving frequency confirmation information 331 in the scan packet, which is not a given frequency value or a frequency value that the target device 320 has set.

[0040] Because the control device 310 contains a frequency reference, the error between the receive frequency confirmation information 331 of each scan packet and the transmit frequency, in other words, the receive frequency of the target device 320, is very small. Therefore, when the target device 320 receives a scan packet, the frequency identified by the reception frequency confirmation information 331 in the corresponding received packet can be seen to identify the actual reception frequency of the target device 320 with high reliability.

[0041] Target send execution information 332 includes information to guide the return procedure. For example, the target transmission execution information 332 includes return timing information for specifying the waiting time remaining until the return procedure begins, and return procedure information for specifying a specific return method. More specifically, the return timing information includes the total number of scan packets, the index of the current scan packet, and the transmission period, and the return procedure information includes the total number of return packets and the return period. The target device 320 refers to the target transmission execution information 332 and performs a return procedure.

[0042] In the return procedure, the target device 320 sequentially sends return packets to the control device 310 . Each return packet includes target receive frequency information 333 . The target device 320 begins the return procedure at the time specified by the return timing information and sends a return packet according to the return procedure information. The target device 320 transmits return packets at the same transmission frequency and at regular time intervals. Here, the same transmission frequency means the transmission frequency set by the target device 320, and the total number of return packets and the return period are specified by the return procedure information. In this process, the control device 310 receives one of the return packets.

[0043] The target device 320 sets target reception frequency information 333 based on target reception frequency confirmation information 331 in the scan packet that the target device 320 received from among the scan packets transmitted by the control device 310 . As mentioned above, the frequency identified by the receiving frequency confirmation information 331 in the scan packet received by the target device 320 can be viewed as identifying the actual receiving frequency of the target device 320 with a high degree of confidence. Therefore, the control device 310 can know the reception frequency of the target device 320 via the target reception frequency information 333 .

[0044] Like the received frequency, the transmitted frequency of the target device 320 may also be in error. Therefore, the conventional link setup procedure shown in Figure 2, in which the target transmission frequency is notified to the target device 320 via a scan packet and the target device 320 transmits a return packet to the corresponding target transmission frequency, cannot be used.

[0045] Instead, according to the link setup procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the control device 310 attempts to receive the return packets by changing its receiving frequency within the return frequency range, and receives one of the return packets at a specific frequency within the return frequency range. Here, the transmission frequency of the target device 320 is determined in accordance with the reception frequency of the control device 310 at which the return packet is received. Because the operating frequency of the controller 310 is highly reliable, the frequency at which the controller 310 receives the return packet can be seen to identify with high confidence the actual transmitting frequency of the target device 320 . Therefore, the control device 310 can know the transmission frequency of the target device 320 through the reception frequency of the control device 310 at which the return packet is received.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a scanning procedure for link setup according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, a control device 410 sends a scan packet 430 to a target device 420 . The scan packets 430 include a first scan packet to an N-th scan packet, and each scan packet is transmitted sequentially at a different transmission frequency within the scan frequency range.

[0047] Here, each scan packet includes the transmission frequency at which it was transmitted in the current transmission frequency information. For example, if the scan frequency range is 400 to 409 MHz, the current transmission frequency of the first scan packet is 400 MHz, the current transmission frequency of the second scan packet is 401 MHz, and the current transmission frequency of the Nth scan packet is 409 MHz. Here, N indicates the total number of scan packets, and in this example, N=10.

[0048] When the control device 410 transmits the scan packets 430, the target device 420 receives one of the scan packets 430. For example, assume that target device 420 receives a second scan packet. Since the second scan packet stores that the current transmission frequency value is 401 MHz, the target device 420 can confirm that its own reception frequency is 401 MHz through the current transmission frequency information of the second scan packet. The target device 420 informs the control device 410 of its receiving frequency via a return packet.

[0049] Each scan packet may further include return timing and procedure information. The target device 420 can specify the waiting time remaining before initiating the return procedure via the return timing information. For example, the return timing information includes the total number of scan packets, the index of the current scan packet, and the transmission period. Here, the waiting time is specified as [(total number of scan packets - index of received scan packet) x transmission period]. In the above example, if the transmission cycle of the scan packets is 5 ms, the waiting time is (10-2) x 5 ms = 40 ms. The target device 420 sends a return packet after the waiting time has elapsed. Here, the target device 420 sends a return packet with the return procedure information. A more specific return procedure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a return procedure for link setup according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the target device 520 sequentially sends return packets 530 to the control device 510 . The return packets 530 include the first return packet to the Mth return packet. Here, M indicates the total number of return packets.

[0051] The target device 520 sends a return packet 530 according to the return procedure information of the scan packet. The return procedure information includes the total number of return packets and the return period. For example, the total number of return packets is 10, and the return period is 10 ms. According to this example, the target device 520 sends 10 return packets 530 at 10 ms intervals. Here, each return packet is transmitted at a transmission frequency set to the same value by the target device 520 . However, because the frequency value set by the target device 520 is unreliable, there may be a substantial error between the target device's 520 setting and the actual value of the transmission frequency of each return packet. Thus, the transmit frequency of the target device 520 is determined via the receive frequency of the controller 510, which is not the frequency setting of the target device 520.

[0052] More specifically, the control device 510 attempts to receive the return packets by changing its own receiving frequency within the return frequency range, and receives one of the return packets at a specific frequency within the return frequency range. Here, the transmission frequency of the target device 520 is determined in accordance with the reception frequency of the control device 510 that received the return packet. For example, the return frequency range is 400 to 409 MHz, and the control device 510 attempts to receive the return packet by changing the reception frequency to 400 to 409 MHz according to the return period. Here, if the signal is received at a specific reception frequency (for example, 403 MHz) within the return frequency range, the control device 510 determines the corresponding reception frequency as the transmission frequency of the target device 520 .

[0053] Each return packet contains target identification information and target receive frequency information. The control device 510 checks the receiving frequency of the target device 620 via the target receiving frequency information in the received return packet. The target identification information can be used to distinguish the target device 520 from other target devices. Link setup procedures may be performed simultaneously for multiple target devices via target identification information. For example, if a link setup between the control device 510 and the target device 520 and a link setup between the control device 510 and another target device are performed simultaneously, the return packet 530 is distinguished from other return packets of the other target devices via target identification information. The link setup procedure for multiple target devices is described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

[0054] Although not shown in FIG. 5, each return packet 530 may further include information regarding the index of the current return packet. Here, the control device 510 can specify the waiting time until the end of the return procedure based on the return procedure information and the index of the return packet. The waiting time is specified as [(total number of return packets - index of received return packet) x return period]. In the above example, if the index of the return packet is "4", the waiting time is (10-4) x 10 ms = 60 ms. When the waiting time has elapsed, the return procedure is completed and the control device 510 controls the target device 520 using the determined operating frequency of the target device 520 .

[0055] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a link setup procedure for multiple target devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, a control device 610 performs a first link setup with a first target device 620 and a second link setup with a second target device 630 . If the first target device 620 and the second target device 630 have different operating frequencies, the first link setup procedure and the second link setup procedure are performed simultaneously.

[0056] First, the control device 610 simultaneously transmits a scan packet 611 to the first target device 620 and the second target device 630 . The first target device 620 receives one of the scan packets 611, for example, the third scan packet. The second target device 620 also receives one of the scan packets 611, for example, the second scan packet. In this case, the receiving frequency of the first target device 620 is determined via the transmitting frequency of the third scan packet, and the receiving frequency of the second target device 630 is determined via the transmitting frequency of the second scan packet.

[0057] Once the waiting time has elapsed, the first target device 620 and the second target device 630 begin a return procedure. Due to the return timing information in each scan packet, the return procedures for the first target device 620 and the second target device 630 are initiated simultaneously. The first target device 620 sends a first return packet 621 to the control device 610, and the second target device 630 sends a second return packet 631 to the control device 610. Here, each return packet may include target identification information, and the first return packet 621 and the second return packet 631 are distinguished by the target identification information.

[0058] The control device 610 receives one of the first return packets 621, for example, the (1st-3rd) return packet. The control device 610 also receives one of the second return packets 631, for example, the (2-1)th scan packet. In this case, the transmission frequency of the first target device 620 is determined based on the frequency that is the number of the (1-3)th return packet, and the transmission frequency of the second target device 630 is determined based on the frequency that is the number of the (2-1)th scan packet. Additionally, the above description of link setup for one target device can be applied to link setup for multiple target devices (620, 630) shown in FIG.

[0059] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a link setup procedure of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, in step S700, the link setup begins, and in step S711, the scanning procedure begins. In step S712, the control device transmits a scan packet. The control device sends a scan packet to one or more target devices.

[0060] In step S713, the control device determines whether or not the transmission of the scan packet has finished. If the transmission of the scan packet has not finished, the control device changes the transmission frequency for the scan packet in step S714, and transmits the scan packet via the transmission frequency changed in step S712. When the transmission of the scan packet is completed, the return procedure is started in step S721.

[0061] In step S722, the control device determines whether a return packet has been received. If a return packet is received, the control device checks the transmission frequency and reception frequency of the target device in step S723, and determines in step S724 whether the return period has elapsed. If a return packet has not been received, the control device does not execute step S723 and immediately executes step S724. If the return period has not elapsed, the control device returns to step S722 to wait for a return packet to be received.

[0062] If the return period has elapsed, the control unit determines in step S725 whether the return procedure has ended. If the return procedure is not completed, the control device changes the reception frequency of the return packet in step S726 and performs step S722 again. If the return procedure is completed, the process proceeds to step S730, where the link setup procedure is completed.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a link setup procedure of a target device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, in step S800, the link setup begins, and in step S811, the scanning procedure begins.

[0064] In step S812, the target device determines whether a scan packet has been received. If a scan packet has not been received, the target device repeats step S812. When the target device receives a scan packet, it checks the reception frequency in step S813 and calculates the standby time in step S814. In step S815, the target device determines whether the waiting time has elapsed.

[0065] If the waiting time has not elapsed, the target device determines in step S816 whether a scan packet has been received. If no scan packet has been received, the target device repeats step S815. In other words, the target device continuously checks whether a scan packet has been received until the waiting time has elapsed. If a scan packet is received, the target device performs steps S813 and S814 based on the new scan packet. If there are multiple control devices, they receive a new scan packet. If the waiting time has elapsed, a return procedure is initiated in step S821.

[0066] The target device transmits the return packet in step S822, and determines in step S823 whether the transmission of the return packet has finished. If the transmission of the return packet has not finished, the target device performs step S822 again. In step S823, the target device checks whether the transmission of the return packets has been completed, and repeatedly transmits the return packets in accordance with the return period. If the return packet transmission is complete, the link setup procedure proceeds to step S830 and ends.

[0067] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control device and a target device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, the control device 910 includes a processor 911, a memory 912, and a communication unit 913, and the target device 920 includes a processor 921, a memory 922, and a communication unit 923.

[0068] The memory 912 is connected to the processor 911 and stores instructions executable by the processor 911, data to be calculated by the processor 911, or data processed by the processor 911. The processor 911 executes instructions from the memory 912, thereby performing one or more of the operations associated with the control device 910 described with reference to FIGS. For example, the processor 911 controls the communication unit 913 to perform a link setup procedure according to the embodiment.

[0069] The communication unit 913 uses the frequency reference 914 to perform a link setup procedure with the target device 920 according to the embodiment. For example, the communication unit 913 changes the transmission frequency of the control device within the scan frequency range, sequentially transmits scan packets to the target device, each containing information about the current transmission frequency, and receives return packets from the target device containing information about the receiving frequency of the target device related to the scan packet. The processor 911 controls the target device 920 via the operating frequency of the target device 920, which is learned through the link setup.

[0070] The above description regarding the processor 911 and memory 912 of the control device 910 applies to the processor 921 and memory 922 of the target device 920 . To that end, one or more of the operations relating to target device 920 described with reference to Figures 1-8 and 10 are performed. The communication unit 923 can perform link setup with the control device 910 without the circuit elements corresponding to the frequency reference 914 . For example, the communication unit 923 receives a scan packet containing information about the transmission frequency of the control device from the control device, and sequentially transmits return packets containing information about the reception frequency of the target device to the control device.

[0071] The target device 920 may further include a sensor 924 and / or a stimulator 925 . For example, the target device 920 may be a body-insertable or body-attached device. In this case, the target device 920 can measure a biological signal via the sensor 924 and transmit it to the control device 910, and apply a stimulation signal to the human body via the stimulator 925 under the control of the control device 910. The target device 920 may correspond to an IoT node, in which case it can collect environmental data around the target device 920 via sensors 924 and provide it to the control device 910, and control other devices around the target device 920 according to the control of the control device 910.

[0072] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, an electronic device 1000 includes a processor 1010, a memory 1020, a sensor 1030, a storage device 1040, an input device 1050, an output device 1060, and a network interface 1070, which can communicate via a communication bus 1080.

[0073] For example, the electronic device 1000 may be embodied as at least part of a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a netbook, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, etc.; a wearable device such as a smart watch, a smart band, smart glasses, etc.; a computing device such as a desktop, a server, etc.; a home appliance such as a television, a smart television, a refrigerator, etc.; a security device such as a door rack, etc.; a vehicle such as a smart vehicle, etc. The control device 110 and the target device 120 shown in FIG. 1 are each implemented as a structural and / or functional part of the electronic device 1000 .

[0074] The processor 1010 executes functions and instructions for execution within the electronic device 1000 . For example, the processor 1010 processes instructions stored in the memory 1020 or the storage device 1040 . The processor 1010 may perform one or more of the operations described with reference to FIGS. The memory 1020 stores data for link setup. Memory 1020 may include a computer-readable storage medium or a computer-readable storage device. The memory 1020 stores instructions for execution by the processor 1010 and stores relevant information during the execution of software and / or applications by the electronic device 1000 .

[0075] The sensor 1030 detects data around the electronic device 1200 and generates sensor data. For example, the sensors 1030 may include an image sensor, an accelerometer sensor, a compass sensor, a GPS sensor, a gyro sensor, an odometer, a geomagnetic sensor, and the like. Storage device 1040 includes a computer-readable storage medium or a computer-readable storage device. The storage device 1040 stores various data used in the link setup procedure. According to one embodiment, storage device 1040 stores a larger amount of information than memory 1020 and stores information for a longer period of time. For example, storage device 1040 may include a magnetic hard disk, an optical disk, a flash memory, a floppy disk, or any other form of non-volatile memory known in the art.

[0076] Input device 1050 receives input from a user through traditional input methods such as keyboard and mouse, and newer input methods such as touch input, voice input, and image input. For example, input device 1050 may include a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a microphone, or any other device capable of detecting input from a user and communicating the detected input to electronic device 1000 . Output device(s) 1060 provide output of electronic device 1000 to a user through visual, auditory, or tactile channels. Output device(s) 1060 may include, for example, a display, a touch screen, a speaker, a vibration generator, or any other device capable of providing output to a user. The network interface 1070 can communicate with external devices over a wired or wireless network.

[0077] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a communication process of a control device for link setup according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, in step S1110, the control device changes the transmission frequency of the control device within the scan frequency range, and sequentially transmits scan packets each containing information about the current transmission frequency to the target device, and in step S1120, receives a return packet from the target device containing information about the receiving frequency of the target device corresponding to one of the current transmission frequencies included in the scan packet. In addition, the explanations of FIGS. 1 to 10 and 12 apply to the communication process of the control device.

[0078] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a communication process of a target device for link setup according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12, in step S1210, the target device receives a scan packet from the control device, which includes information about the transmission frequency of the control device; in step S1220, the target device determines the reception frequency of the target device from the information about the transmission frequency of the control device; and in step S1230, the target device sequentially transmits return packets to the control device, each of which includes information about the reception frequency of the target device. In addition, the description of FIGS. 1 to 11 can be applied to the communication process of the target device.

[0079] The methods according to the embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in the form of program instructions that may be executed by various computer means and stored in a computer-readable recording medium. The media may also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like. The storage media and program instructions may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape, optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc.

[0080] Examples of program instructions include not only machine code, such as produced by a compiler, but also high level language code that is executed by the computer using an interpreter or the like. A hardware device may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations described in the present invention, and vice versa.

[0081] Software includes computer programs, codes, instructions, or a combination of one or more thereof, that configure or instruct a processing device, either independently or in combination, to operate in a desired manner. The software and / or data may be permanently or temporarily embodied in any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual device, computer storage medium or device, or transmitted signal wave to be interpreted by a processing device or to provide instructions or data to a processing device. The software can be distributed and stored and executed in a distributed fashion over network coupled computer systems. The software and data may be stored on one or more computer readable recording media.

[0082] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical scope of the present invention. For example, the techniques described may be performed in a different order than described, and / or the components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. may be combined or combined in a different manner than described, or substituted or substituted with other components or equivalents, while still achieving suitable results. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100 Communication Systems 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 910 Control device 111, 131, 150, 914 Frequency Reference 120, 130, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 630, 920 target device 151 Frequency divider 152 Comparator 153 Crystal Oscillator 154 Controller 231 Target Transmission Frequency Information 232, 333 target reception frequency information 331 Target Receiving Frequency Confirmation Information 332 Target Send Execution Information 430, 611 scan packets 530 Return Packet 621, 631 (1st, 2nd) return packets 911, 921, 1010 processors 912, 922, 1020 memory 913, 923 Communications Department 924, 1030 sensors 925 Stimulator 1000 electronic devices 1040 Enclosure 1050 Input Device 1060 output device 1070 Network Interface 1080 Communication Bus

Claims

1. A communication method for link setup, comprising: sequentially transmitting, by the control device, a plurality of scan packets to the target device, each scan packet including first information regarding a current transmission frequency at which the scan packet is transmitted, while changing the transmission frequency of the control device within a scan frequency range; and receiving, at the control device, a return packet from the target device, the return packet including second information regarding the receiving frequency of the target device identified by the target device, the receiving frequency corresponding to any one of the current transmitting frequencies included in the plurality of scan packets.

2. 2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the return packet includes the step of attempting to receive the return packet while changing a receiving frequency of the control device within a return frequency range.

3. the received return packet corresponds to one of a plurality of return packets transmitted by the target device; 2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission frequency of the target device is determined in accordance with the reception frequency of the control device that received the return packet.

4. receiving, by the target device, one of the plurality of scan packets from the control device; determining, by the target device, a receiving frequency of the target device from first information of the current transmitting frequency included in the one scan packet; 2. The communication method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: transmitting, by the target device, a plurality of return packets including the return packet to the control device in sequence.

5. A communication method for link setup, comprising: receiving, by the target device, a scan packet from the control device, the scan packet including first information regarding a transmission frequency of the control device; the target device determining a receiving frequency of the target device from the first information regarding the transmitting frequency of the control device; the target device sequentially transmitting a plurality of return packets to the control device, each return packet including second information regarding the receiving frequency of the target device.

6. The received scan packet corresponds to one of a plurality of scan packets transmitted by the control device at different frequencies within a scan frequency range, The communication method according to claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of scan packets includes first information relating to a current transmission frequency.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the target device communicates with the control device without a frequency reference.

8. The communication method according to claim 1 or 5, wherein each of the plurality of scan packets further includes return timing information including a total number of scan packets, an index of a current scan packet, and a transmission period.

9. 9. The communication method according to claim 8, wherein the return packet is received after a waiting time indicated by the return timing information.

10. 9. The communication method according to claim 8, wherein the return packet is transmitted after a waiting time indicated by the return timing information.

11. 6. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein each of the return packets further includes identification information of the target device.

12. When a first link setup between the control device and the target device and a second link setup between the control device and another target device are performed simultaneously, The communication method of claim 11, wherein the return packet is distinguished from other return packets of the other target devices via the identification information of the target device.

13. The communication method according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the scan packet further includes return procedure information including a total number of return packets including the return packet and a return period.

14. Each of the plurality of return packets further includes information regarding an index of a current return packet; 14. The method of claim 13, wherein a waiting time remaining until the end of the return procedure is identified based on the return procedure information and the index of the return packet.

15. A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs containing instructions for carrying out the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A communication method for link setup, comprising: transmitting, by the control device, a plurality of scan packets each including first information regarding a transmission frequency of the scan packet, to other transmission frequencies within the scan frequency range; and changing the receiving frequency within the return frequency range to receive the return packet.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining a receiving frequency of a target device based on the return packet.

18. the return packet includes target receive frequency information generated based on one of the transmit frequency information of one of the scan packets; 20. The method of claim 17, wherein determining the receiving frequency of the target device comprises determining the receiving frequency based on the target receiving frequency information.

19. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the return packet is generated by the target device without the use of a frequency reference.

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