Companion PAN Buffering for Dual-Protocol Zigbee Sleep Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual-protocol or multiple-protocol personal area network (PAN) devices face challenges in managing concurrent communication protocols, leading to increased power consumption, network disruptions, and inefficient reconfiguration due to unsynchronized transmissions and clock drift, particularly in low-power Zigbee™ devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that delegate a subset of Zigbee™ communication stack responsibilities to a companion PAN device during periods of inactivity, enabling it to perform medium access control and data buffering for child devices, thereby maintaining network connectivity and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single radio hardware subsystem is used for dual-protocol operation, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but network reliability and timing precision deteriorate due to time-sharing conflicts between protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radio subsystem operations by creating distinct time slots for different protocols (Zigbee and Thread). The border router divides its radio availability into scheduled intervals, allocating specific periods for Zigbee MAC operations and Thread operations, thereby preventing protocol conflicts while maintaining a single hardware subsystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic time-slot allocation where the border router can adjust the timing and duration of Zigbee and Thread operations based on network conditions. The scheduler dynamically modifies the time-sharing pattern to accommodate varying protocol requirements while maintaining reliable operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If time-sharing is used between Zigbee and Thread protocols on the same radio, then power consumption is reduced, but network performance deteriorates due to unsynchronized transmissions and clock drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the border router pre-schedule and pre-announce its wake schedule to child devices before actual data transmissions occur. Child devices use this advance information to synchronize their wake times with the border router's available time slots, ensuring transmissions occur only when the radio is available for Zigbee operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the border router monitors transmission success rates and adjusts its time-sharing schedule accordingly. The system uses acknowledgment feedback from child devices to refine timing synchronization and optimize the allocation of radio time slots between protocols.
3Use of energy by moving object
If sleepy end devices use low-power clock sources during sleep, then power consumption is reduced, but timing precision deteriorates due to clock drift
Solution Approach 1:
The border router provides preliminary synchronization information to sleepy end devices before they enter extended sleep periods. By announcing its wake schedule in advance, the border router enables child devices to set their low-power clocks to wake at precisely the right time, compensating for the inherent drift of low-power clock sources.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for delegating personal access network, PAN, responsibilities to a companion PAN device comprises: receiving, at the companion PAN device, at least one configuration parameter from a multiple-protocol PAN device configured to support Zigbee™ and another communication protocol; and entering a sleep mode by the multiple-protocol PAN device. The configuration parameter comprises instructions to temporarily enable the companion PAN device, during periods of inactivity in supporting the another communication protocol, to perform the following: receiving at least one medium access control, MAC, access request from at least one child device associated with the multiple-protocol PAN device; and performing a subset of roles of a full Zigbee™ communication stack therefor, that includes: responding with an acknowledgement; and buffering and storing frames from the child device. The companion PAN device subsequently receives a wake-up message from the multiple-protocol PAN device; and forwards retrieved stored frames to the multiple-protocol PAN device.