Bluetooth Mesh Provisioning Gateway Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth mesh networks face limitations in coverage area during provisioning, as devices must be within the signal range of a provisioner, restricting the network's expansion and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A Bluetooth mesh network architecture that employs multiple gateways and a server for collaborative provisioning, allowing for extended coverage and flexible deployment, where gateways detect unprovisioned devices and report them to the server for generating provisioning data, enabling access to the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single provisioner is used for Bluetooth mesh network provisioning, then the device complexity is reduced, but the coverage area and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning system is segmented into multiple independent gateways, each capable of autonomous provisioning operations. This segmentation allows the network to cover a larger physical area by distributing provisioning functions across multiple nodes rather than relying on a single provisioner, directly resolving the contradiction between coverage area and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point provisioning model to a multi-point distributed model, adding spatial dimensionality to the provisioning architecture. This dimensional change enables the network to expand coverage area by deploying gateways at different locations, while the modular nature of each gateway keeps individual device complexity manageable
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gateways are deployed to extend coverage, then the flexibility and coverage area are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each gateway is designed with universal provisioning capabilities, allowing any gateway to independently perform device provisioning tasks. This multi-functionality approach enhances deployment flexibility as gateways can be placed anywhere in the network area, while the standardized interface and protocol keep the coordination complexity manageable through uniform behavior across all gateways
3Area of stationary object
If devices must be within signal range of a provisioner for provisioning, then the provisioning process is simplified, but the coverage area is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning function is segmented and distributed to multiple gateways, each creating its own local provisioning zone. This segmentation extends the total provisioning coverage area by combining multiple zones, while each individual gateway maintains simple provisioning operations within its local range, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and operational simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
Information reported by one or more gateway nodes in a Bluetooth mesh network regarding an unprovisioned Bluetooth device is received. Provisioning data for the unprovisioned Bluetooth device is generated. A destination Bluetooth gateway node to which to issue the generated provisioning data is determined from among the one or more gateway nodes reporting the received information. The generated provisioning data is issued to the destination Bluetooth gateway node so that the destination Bluetooth gateway node can perform a provisioning operation directed at the unprovisioned Bluetooth device.