Bluetooth LE Master Node Bandwidth Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocols do not effectively optimize channel utilization under conflicting bandwidth demands, leading to inefficient resource allocation and potential loss of connection for mission-critical services due to lack of mechanisms for traffic differentiation and prioritization.
Innovation Solution
A master node that establishes Bluetooth LE links, receives bandwidth reservation requests with minimum and maximum transmission window lengths, and schedules transmission windows to minimize overlap, prioritizing critical services by using priority parameters to ensure compliant bandwidth allocation and prevent starvation of QoS levels, while acting as a gateway for bridging between BLE and wireless LAN links to maintain QoS awareness across different network technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transmission windows are scheduled to meet minimum bandwidth requirements, then QoS compliance is improved, but channel utilization efficiency deteriorates due to overlapping windows
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission window schedules based on real-time network conditions and QoS requirements. The master node continuously monitors bandwidth usage and reoptimizes transmission windows to balance QoS compliance with channel utilization efficiency, rather than using fixed static schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes scheduling parameters such as transmission window start times, durations, and frequencies to resolve conflicts between QoS requirements and channel efficiency. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can meet minimum bandwidth guarantees while reducing overlapping transmissions.
2Reliability
If poll interval is increased to reduce overhead, then system robustness is improved, but QoS requirements may not be met due to increased delay
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the poll interval into multiple smaller sub-intervals or connection events, allowing multiple transmission opportunities within what would traditionally be a single poll interval. This maintains robustness through multiple chances for successful transmission while reducing the effective delay for time-sensitive data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic connection events with optimized intervals that balance robustness and delay requirements. By carefully selecting the periodicity of connection events and allowing multiple data exchanges per interval, the system achieves both reliability and low latency.
3Productivity
If TxWindow size is maximized to improve channel utilization, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but ability to meet differentiated QoS requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different transmission parameters (TxWindow sizes, poll intervals, connection intervals) to different links or data flows based on their specific QoS requirements. Instead of using a uniform large TxWindow for all traffic, each flow receives locally optimized parameters that match its service requirements while maintaining overall high channel utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The TxWindow size becomes a dynamic parameter that adjusts based on current network conditions, traffic type, and QoS requirements. The system can switch between different window sizes for different connections or even dynamically within a connection, allowing both high utilization and QoS differentiation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention pertains to a master node for use in a network including a Bluetooth LE link, said master node being adapted to receive, via said Bluetooth LE link, bandwidth reservation request messages including a minimum desired transmission window length and a maximum desired transmission window length; and schedule transmission windows for respective transmitters on said Bluetooth LE link in accordance with said minimum desired transmission window length and said maximum desired transmission window length advertised in said respective bandwidth reservation request messages, said scheduling being performed so as to minimize overlap between assigned values of said transmission windows. The invention also pertains to a network and to an electronic device.