BLE Slave-to-Slave Communication via Master Timing Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) systems do not support direct communication between slave devices, requiring complex protocols and higher power consumption for indirect message forwarding through a master device, which is undesirable for applications like hearing aid networks that need direct data or audio transmission between devices.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced in a BLE network where a master device sends synchronization delay and relative offset parameters to slave devices, allowing them to determine a synchronization time point for direct communication without violating the BLE standard, enabling slave-to-slave communication without interfering with master-device communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If slave devices use indirect communication through master device, then communication compatibility is maintained, but power consumption increases and communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication path is segmented into direct slave-to-slave links rather than requiring all communications to route through the master device. This allows slave devices to establish independent communication channels, reducing the burden on the master device and lowering overall power consumption while maintaining BLE protocol compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The master device acts as an intermediary that provides synchronization parameters (connection interval, timing offsets) to slave devices, enabling them to coordinate direct communications without violating BLE timing requirements. This intermediary role allows slaves to communicate directly while the master maintains network coordination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If slave devices use indirect communication through master device, then communication compatibility is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication protocol is segmented into two layers: a simplified direct transmission layer between slaves and a coordination layer managed by the master through parameter distribution. This segmentation reduces the protocol complexity each device must handle individually while maintaining overall system compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The master device serves as an intermediary that pre-configures synchronization parameters (connection interval, timing offsets) distributed to slave devices. This intermediary coordination simplifies the communication protocol for individual slaves, as they only need to follow pre-established timing rules rather than implementing complex negotiation protocols.
3Use of energy by moving object
If slave devices communicate directly, then power consumption is reduced, but timing synchronization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The master device performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and distributing synchronization parameters (connection interval, timing offsets) to slave devices before direct communication begins. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex real-time synchronization negotiations, allowing slaves to directly communicate with predetermined timing while reducing power consumption.
4Productivity
If slave devices communicate directly, then communication efficiency is improved, but interference with master-device communication may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The communication timeline is segmented into distinct time slots: master-slave communication intervals and slave-slave communication intervals. This temporal segmentation ensures that direct slave-to-slave communications occur during designated periods when the master is not transmitting, eliminating interference while maintaining high communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Slave-to-slave communications are implemented as periodic actions occurring at predetermined intervals defined by the connection interval and timing offsets. This periodic structure ensures that slave communications are synchronized and occur during specific time windows that do not conflict with master-device communication cycles, maintaining both efficiency and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of communication in a Bluetooth Low Energy network is presented. The network has a master device and a plurality of slave devices between a first slave device and a second slave device. The method steps include: sending from the master device to the first slave device a synchronisation delay parameter; and sending from the master device to the second slave device the synchronisation delay parameter and a relative offset parameter. At the second slave device, the method steps include determining a synchronisation time point by adding the relative offset parameter to the synchronisation delay parameter. At the synchronisation time point, the method steps include waking the first and second slave devices and sending a communication from the first slave device to the second slave device.