BLE Acknowledgment Collision Reduction via Variable Waiting Periods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) networks face issues with packet collisions during acknowledgment (ACK) transmissions, which can lead to failed communications and hinder data transmission due to simultaneous responses from multiple nodes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where each receiving node in a BLE network introduces a varying waiting period before transmitting an ACK packet, which can be random or determined by unique node information, to reduce the likelihood of packet collisions. Additionally, using Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) for ACK packet transmission can further alleviate collision risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all receiving nodes transmit ACK packets immediately upon receiving broadcast data, then communication reliability is improved through confirmation, but packet collisions occur due to simultaneous transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having receiving nodes wait for a predetermined time period before transmitting ACK packets. This time delay is introduced in advance of the actual ACK transmission, preventing simultaneous transmissions and packet collisions while still ensuring reliable communication confirmation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the waiting period variable rather than fixed. Different receiving nodes can have different waiting periods based on their identification information, allowing the system to adaptively manage transmission timing and reduce collisions dynamically across the network.
2Device complexity
If a fixed waiting period is used for all receiving nodes, then implementation complexity is reduced, but packet collisions still occur due to synchronized transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different waiting periods to different receiving nodes based on their unique identification information. Each node receives a customized waiting period tailored to its specific characteristics, which prevents synchronized transmissions and reduces collisions while maintaining simple implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the waiting period parameter across different receiving nodes. Instead of using a uniform fixed time, the system changes the time parameter based on node identification information, effectively distributing transmission times to avoid collisions.
3Reliability
If receiving nodes continuously monitor for broadcast data, then data reception reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by having receiving nodes wake up periodically to check for broadcast data rather than continuously monitoring. The nodes transition between low-power sleep states and active reception states, maintaining reliable data reception while significantly reducing overall energy consumption through periodic rather than continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for communicating data between Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices (200, 202) in a network (100) comprising multiple nodes, the method comprising: broadcasting data from a broadcasting node (200); receiving the data at multiple receiving nodes (202); transmitting an acknowledgement (ACK) packet from each of the receiving nodes (202) to the broadcasting node (200), wherein each receiving node (202) waits for a waiting period before transmitting the ACK packet, and wherein the waiting period is a varying length of time for each receiving node (202).