BLE Mesh Node-to-Node Connections for Power and Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks face inefficiencies due to the need for continuous listening on broadcast channels, leading to high power consumption and latency, especially in crowded communication environments, as they rely on broadcasting rather than targeted node-to-node connections.
Innovation Solution
Implementing non-broadcast node-to-node connections based on measured inter-node signal transmission characteristics such as RSSI and AoA, allowing for optimized routing paths and reduced unnecessary radio transmissions by establishing targeted connections between selected nodes in a BLE mesh network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If broadcast-based mesh network communication is used, then communication coverage is extended to devices outside wireless range, but power consumption increases due to continuous listening requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mesh network communication into hierarchical levels: root nodes maintain broadcast capabilities for wide coverage, while child nodes use targeted unicast connections for efficient data transfer. This segmentation allows the network to extend coverage area through root node broadcasting while child nodes conserve power by listening only during scheduled connection events rather than continuously monitoring broadcast channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic connection events where child nodes wake up at scheduled intervals to communicate with their parent nodes, then return to sleep mode. This periodic action replaces continuous listening with timed, intermittent communication, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining network connectivity and coverage through the hierarchical structure.
2Productivity
If broadcast channels are used for mesh communication, then data can be transmitted to multiple nodes, but latency increases due to channel crowding and listening time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional mesh communication approach by having child nodes initiate targeted unicast connections to parent nodes rather than relying on parent nodes to broadcast to all children. This inversion allows direct, dedicated communication paths that reduce latency by eliminating the need for child nodes to listen continuously on crowded broadcast channels, while still achieving multi-node data transmission through the hierarchical connection structure.
3Reliability
If continuous listening on broadcast channels is implemented, then all nodes can receive data, but unnecessary radio transmissions occur in crowded environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing scheduled connection events and predetermined parent-child relationships before data transmission occurs. Child nodes know in advance when to wake up and which parent node to connect to, eliminating the need for continuous listening and reducing unnecessary radio transmissions. This preliminary setup ensures reliable data reception through dedicated connections while conserving energy.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to create a wireless communication path by opening relatively low power wireless non-broadcast node-to-node connections between network nodes between selected wireless nodes of a mesh network, or by implementing inter-node broadcast routing paths within such a network by selectively broadcasting from selected network nodes, based on one or more inter-node signal transmission characteristics measured between different pairs of nodes of the mesh network. When used, the opened connections may employ non-continuous connection listening intervals that are shorter than observer listening times to communicate over designated data channels in a targeted manner between selected routing nodes in a mesh network.