BLE Multi-Energizer Synchronization for Ambient IoT Beacons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) specifications do not provide a way for multiple energizers to synchronize in time and frequency, making it difficult for energy harvesting IoT devices to perform time synchronization when multiple energizing devices transmit in an unsynchronized fashion.
Innovation Solution
Systems and techniques for multi-energizer deployments that synchronize energizers in time and frequency, allowing energy harvesting IoT devices to adjust their time and frequency offsets based on received BLE advertisement beacons from other energizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple energizers transmit advertisement beacons independently according to existing BLE specifications, then each energizer can operate autonomously, but time synchronization and frequency alignment between multiple energizers cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where energizers measure the time and frequency offsets of received advertisement beacons from other energizers and report these measurements to a central entity (such as a server or network controller). The central entity processes this feedback information and generates synchronization adjustments that are communicated back to the energizers, enabling iterative refinement of time and frequency alignment across the network while preserving autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central entity (server or network controller) as an intermediary that coordinates synchronization between multiple independent energizers. This intermediary collects timing measurements from energizers, computes appropriate time and frequency offset adjustments, and distributes synchronization commands back to the energizers, thereby enabling precise time synchronization without requiring direct peer-to-peer coordination between energizers.
2Device complexity
If multiple energizers transmit advertisement beacons independently, then device complexity is reduced, but communication interference and energy harvesting inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having energizers perform time and frequency offset measurements and report them to the central entity before actual data transmission begins. The central entity computes synchronization adjustments in advance and distributes them to energizers prior to communication operations, ensuring that time and frequency alignment is established beforehand, thereby preventing communication interference and improving reliability without adding complex real-time synchronization mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If energizers transmit without time and frequency synchronization, then ease of operation is improved, but energy harvesting precision and communication accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling energizers to autonomously measure time and frequency offsets of received beacons, report these measurements to the central entity, and apply received synchronization adjustments without requiring manual configuration or complex peer-to-peer negotiation. This self-service approach maintains ease of deployment while achieving precise time and frequency alignment through automated measurement and adjustment processes coordinated by the central entity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques are provided for wireless communication. For example, a process can include receiving, by first device, a first advertisement beacon from a second device; determining a time offset and a frequency offset based on the first advertisement beacon for transmitting a second advertisement beacon; identifying a subframe for transmitting the second advertisement beacon; and transmitting the second advertisement beacon based on the determined time offset and the determined frequency offset in the subframe.