Wireless Access Point Slot Allocation for 802.15.4 and 802.11 Coexistence
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited wireless bandwidth in shared frequency bands, such as the 2.4 GHz band, leads to communication interference among devices like security system sensors and mobile devices, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The method involves efficiently allocating slots in a TDMA superframe between IEEE 802.15.4 and 802.11 communications by dynamically assigning slots based on the availability of data from wireless security sensors, ensuring that unused slots are utilized for 802.11 communications, thereby minimizing interference and optimizing bandwidth usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wireless protocols (LTE, 802.11, 802.15.4) communicate simultaneously in the same wireless band, then wireless communication coverage is improved, but communication interference increases due to limited bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless communication time slots into dedicated slots for different protocols (802.15.4 slots for security sensors, 802.11 slots for Wi-Fi devices). By dividing the shared wireless medium into protocol-specific time segments, multiple protocols can coexist without interfering with each other, thus maintaining versatile communication coverage while eliminating interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic slot allocation where the number of 802.15.4 slots and 802.11 slots can be adjusted based on real-time network conditions, sensor data availability, and Wi-Fi traffic requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to changing demands while maintaining efficient bandwidth utilization and preventing interference between protocols.
2Reliability
If TDMA slots are allocated to 802.15.4 communications for security sensors, then security system reliability is improved, but unused slots result in wasted bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of slot allocation from static to dynamic by introducing a slot borrowing mechanism. When no security sensor data is available in an 802.15.4 slot, that slot's parameters (time, frequency resources) are changed to accommodate 802.11 communications, thereby eliminating wasted bandwidth while maintaining security system reliability through guaranteed slot availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the TDMA slots universal by allowing them to serve dual purposes: dedicated 802.15.4 communication slots for security sensors and borrowable slots for 802.11 Wi-Fi communications. This multi-functionality ensures that slots allocated to security systems remain reliable while unused capacity can be universally utilized by other protocols, preventing bandwidth waste.
3Productivity
If dynamic slot allocation is implemented between 802.15.4 and 802.11 protocols, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors sensor data availability, slot utilization status, and Wi-Fi traffic conditions. Based on this feedback, the coordinator dynamically adjusts slot allocation and borrowing decisions. This feedback-driven approach enables efficient bandwidth utilization while automating the complexity management, as the system self-regulates based on real-time conditions rather than requiring complex manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service through automated slot allocation and borrowing mechanisms where the wireless network coordinator autonomously manages slot distribution between 802.15.4 and 802.11 protocols without external intervention. The system monitors its own state, makes dynamic allocation decisions, and adjusts to changing conditions automatically, thereby achieving high bandwidth utilization while keeping operational complexity manageable through self-management.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are provided that include an access point receiving a request from a device to join a first network defined by a first protocol, the access point allocating a slot of a superframe to the device, and the access point allocating remaining slots of the superframe to communication by the access point on a second network defined by a second protocol. Additionally or alternatively, some methods can include the access point enabling a first transceiver communicating via the first protocol and either, when the first transceiver receives first data from the device via the first protocol within a predetermined time of a beginning of the slot, receiving second data from the device via the first protocol for a remainder of the slot or, when the first transceiver module fails to receive the first data, the access point enabling a second transceiver for the remainder of the slot.