Channel Grey Listing for Wireless Resiliency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems in industrial settings face interference issues when overlapping with other wireless protocols, such as WiFi, leading to packet loss and reduced resiliency due to the need to blacklist overlapping channels, which decreases the number of available channels for channel hopping.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that 'grey-list' overlapping channels, reducing their usage rate in the channel-hopping pattern, allowing these channels to still be used but less frequently, thereby maintaining network resiliency and minimizing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If overlapping channels are blacklisted to avoid interference, then packet loss is reduced, but the number of available channels for channel hopping decreases and resiliency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of channels based on their interference characteristics. Instead of uniformly blacklisting all overlapping channels, the system categorizes them into grey-listed channels (with reduced usage probability) and non-grey-listed channels (with normal usage probability). This localized differentiation allows the system to maintain higher reliability on channels with known interference while preserving channel hopping resiliency through the availability of all channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of channel selection probability rather than using a binary blacklist/whitelist approach. Grey-listed channels are assigned a reduced probability of selection in the channel hopping sequence, while non-grey-listed channels maintain normal probability. This parameter-based approach allows flexible adjustment of channel usage patterns to balance reliability and resiliency based on actual interference conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all available channels are utilized in channel hopping, then network resiliency is maintained, but interference from overlapping wireless protocols increases packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the channel selection process adaptive rather than static. The channel hopping sequence dynamically adjusts the probability of selecting grey-listed channels based on detected interference conditions. When interference is detected on overlapping channels, the system automatically reduces their selection probability, creating a dynamic response that balances resiliency and reliability based on real-time environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms to monitor channel quality and adjust channel hopping behavior accordingly. By detecting packet loss and interference conditions, the system feeds this information back into the channel selection algorithm, which then adjusts the probability distribution for channel selection. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain optimal performance by adapting to changing interference conditions while preserving channel hopping resiliency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A wireless communication system grey-lists those channels that interfere with channels used by a second wireless communication system. The wireless communication system reduces the rate at which the grey-listed channels are utilized in the channel-hopping pattern, but does not completely eliminate use of the grey-listed channels.