Coordinated Wireless Data Transmission for IIoT Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems, particularly in WLANs, face challenges in providing deterministic channel access and ensuring high reliability and low latency, which are essential for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications.

Innovation Solution

The method involves coordinating wireless transmissions between an access point and a wireless device, where the access point can send data through either a primary wireless transmission or a secondary transmission performed by a further access point, enhancing reliability by potentially using multiple APs to transmit the same data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single access point is used for data transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to single points of failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple access points are merged to work together as a coordinated transmission system. The access points jointly transmit data packets to the wireless device, combining their resources to improve reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity through coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Data packets are copied and transmitted by multiple access points simultaneously. Each access point sends a copy of the same data packet to the wireless device, ensuring that at least one copy is received correctly even if some access points fail or experience poor channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If multiple access points transmit simultaneously, then reliability is improved through redundancy, but interference increases causing channel access conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coordinated transmissions are scheduled in periodic time slots. Access points transmit in coordinated intervals rather than simultaneously and randomly, reducing interference while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple transmission paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

A coordination mechanism acts as an intermediary to manage transmissions between multiple access points. This intermediary coordinates channel access and timing to prevent interference while enabling redundant transmissions from multiple access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If deterministic channel access is required for low latency, then channel access control is tightened, but adaptability to variable channel conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovelatencyVSAvoidadaptability to channel conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coordinated transmission system dynamically adapts to varying channel conditions while maintaining deterministic latency bounds. Access points adjust their transmission parameters based on real-time channel quality, allowing the system to optimize performance without sacrificing the low-latency guarantees required for IIoT applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250167923A1Coordinated Transmission of Data by Multiple Access Points

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

An access point (10) of the wireless communication system coordinates sending of data on a wireless link. The wireless link is established between the access point (10) and a wireless device (11). Specifically, the access point (10) coordinates sending of the data by at least one of: a first wireless transmission performed by the access point (10), and a second wireless transmission performed on behalf of the access point (10) by a further access point (10) of the wireless communication system.