Channel Hopping Direction Finding via Firmware-Extracted Future Channel Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, such as those using Bluetooth/Bluetooth Low Energy (BT/BLE) protocols, require custom hardware to support direction finding applications, limiting their functionality in devices without such hardware.

Innovation Solution

A method where a first device operating on a predetermined channel hopping sequence inserts future channel information into packets, allowing a second device to transmit information without knowing the channel hopping sequence, enabling direction finding operations without the need for custom hardware by using firmware modifications and applications that extract and utilize this information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If custom hardware is used to support direction finding applications, then direction finding capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirection finding capabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces custom hardware with firmware modifications and software applications. The baseband controller is updated with firmware to enable extraction of future channel information from packets, and applications on the second device process this information to generate sinusoidal signals for direction finding. This software-based approach eliminates the need for specialized hardware components while achieving the same direction finding functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes existing wireless communication devices perform multiple functions. By modifying the firmware of the baseband controller and using standard packet transmission capabilities, the system enables direction finding in addition to normal wireless communication. The same communication infrastructure is used for both data transmission and generating location-finding signals, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If custom hardware is required for direction finding, then signal generation accuracy is improved, but ease of manufacture and deployment deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal generation accuracyVSAvoiddevice manufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes hardware-based signal generation with software-controlled signal generation. The firmware in the baseband controller extracts future channel information from received packets, and the application on the second device uses this information to generate sinusoidal signals at the correct frequencies and times. This software approach maintains signal accuracy while dramatically simplifying manufacturing, as no specialized hardware components need to be produced or assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If devices use predetermined channel hopping sequences, then communication security is improved, but adaptability to applications without sequence knowledge deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidapplication compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the first device to perform preliminary action by extracting and communicating future channel information through packets before the second device needs to transmit. The first device receives packets, extracts the future channel sequence information, and transmits this information to the second device, enabling the second device to prepare and transmit sinusoidal signals at the correct future channels without needing to know the hopping sequence in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the first device acts as a mediator between the channel hopping sequence and the second device. Instead of the second device directly accessing or knowing the hopping sequence, the first device intercepts the sequence information from packets, processes it, and provides the necessary future channel information to the second device through standard packet communication, enabling indirect access to sequence information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11032671B2Methods, systems and devices for communicating between devices within a channel hopping system

Publication Date: 2021.06.08 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AMERICAS CORP

AI summary

In an example embodiment, a device comprises one or more processors and a baseband controller. The one or more processors are configured to: determine, from a payload of at least one received packet, a channel identification (ID) of a notice window in a sequence of transmission windows; transmit, in the notice window, a notice packet that identifies a target window, the target window being later in the sequence of transmission windows than the notice window; generate a target packet that includes inverse whitened data; and transmit the target packet in the target window. The baseband controller is configured to execute signal whitening on the target packet, where the signal whitening of the inverse whitened data in the target packet results in a substantially sinusoidal signal when the target packet is transmitted by the device.