Ad Hoc Network Device Discovery Beacon Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ad hoc wireless networks face challenges in fast device discovery and connection establishment, particularly in dynamic environments where connections change rapidly, leading to inefficient energy consumption and prolonged association times.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting beacon packets at predetermined intervals, scanning for joining requests, and sending confirmation packets to facilitate rapid device discovery and connection setup, while monitoring the channel for transmissions to minimize interference and optimize energy usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beacon packets are transmitted at the beginning of each superframe with predetermined listening periods, then network coordination and timing synchronization are maintained, but device discovery and connection establishment become slow and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coordinationVSAvoidconnection establishment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having devices transmit beacon packets continuously during scanning periods before formal connection establishment. This allows potential connecting devices to discover and evaluate candidate devices in advance, so that when connection is desired, the selection and initial synchronization are already complete, dramatically reducing connection establishment time while maintaining network coordination reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by allowing devices to dynamically switch between different operational states: scanning for beacons, listening for requests, and transmitting responses. The beacon transmission timing and scanning intervals are adjusted dynamically based on network conditions and device state, enabling fast connection establishment when needed while maintaining reliable coordination through adaptive timing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If devices scan the wireless channel continuously to discover new connections, then device discovery speed increases, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice discovery speedVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by having devices transmit beacons at regular intervals during scanning periods and have connecting devices listen during predetermined time windows. This periodic structure allows devices to remain in low-power states between scanning/transmitting events while still maintaining fast discovery capability, as the periodic nature creates predictable opportunities for connection establishment without requiring continuous high-power operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service through the beacon mechanism where a single transmitting device provides discovery information that multiple listening devices can independently process. Each listening device autonomously evaluates received beacons and initiates connection requests only when appropriate, eliminating the need for continuous polling or coordinated scanning across all devices, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining fast discovery speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If response packets are scheduled for transmission in following superframes, then network timing synchronization is maintained, but connection establishment is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming synchronizationVSAvoidconnection establishment rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having devices exchange capability information and establish basic connection parameters during the initial beacon scanning and request-response exchange, before formal data transmission begins. This preliminary setup includes negotiating timing synchronization parameters in advance, so that when actual data communication starts, both devices are already synchronized, eliminating delays that would otherwise occur during initial communication phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining the beacon transmission and listening sequence as an ongoing process that continues even after initial connection establishment. This continuous beacon exchange serves dual purposes: maintaining timing synchronization for already-connected devices and enabling discovery of new connection opportunities, thereby sustaining both synchronization stability and high connection establishment rate simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS7809835B2Device discovery and connection establishment for ad hoc networks

Publication Date: 2010.10.05 THINKLOGIX LLC

AI summary

A wireless device transmits beacon packets at periodically occurring time intervals across a wireless channel. When the wireless communications device has not formed a piconet with one or more remote devices, the device scans the wireless channel for a predetermined amount of time immediately following each of the periodically occurring time intervals. During this time a remote device may respond to the beacon packet.