CRC Packet Error Correction for Wireless Range and Noise Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth and WLAN devices operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band face range limitations and noise interference, leading to degraded network performance and reduced data throughput due to their susceptibility to radio interference from other devices, which existing solutions like increasing output power or proprietary coding schemes are not effective in addressing, especially for mobile applications.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism using conventional CRC error detection codes to correct single and multiple bit errors in packets, leveraging the linearity property of CRC calculations to detect and correct errors, thereby extending the range and mitigating noise interference, applicable to various wireless protocols like Bluetooth and WLAN, without requiring complex changes to the PHY layer or coordination between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If output power is increased to extend range, then coverage area is improved, but power consumption increases and interference to other devices worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the error correction capability parameter (from basic CRC detection to advanced CRC-based error correction) to improve communication reliability and extend effective range without increasing transmit power, thereby avoiding additional power consumption and interference
2Area of stationary object
If output power is increased to extend range, then coverage area is improved, but radio interference to other devices worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the error correction parameter capability to extend communication range while maintaining low transmit power levels, thereby avoiding increased radio interference to other devices in the 2.4 GHz band
3Device complexity
If conventional CRC error detection is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but error correction capability is insufficient leading to range limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the existing CRC field to serve dual purposes: both error detection (traditional function) and error correction (enhanced function). The receiver uses the received CRC value along with retransmitted packets to self-correct errors without requiring additional correction codes or complex external mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the CRC field multi-functional by using it for both error detection (original purpose) and error correction (enhanced purpose). This allows the same data structure to provide both functions, extending range and improving reliability without adding separate correction mechanisms
4Reliability
If proprietary coding schemes are used to improve error correction, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and interoperability requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables standard Bluetooth and WLAN devices to self-correct errors using their existing CRC implementation and retransmission capability, without requiring proprietary coding schemes or complex additional error correction algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the retransmitted packet as a copy to compare with the original received packet. By XORing the two packets and using the received CRC, the system identifies and corrects errors without requiring complex proprietary correction codes
Data Source
AI summary
A novel and useful range extension and in-band noise mitigation mechanism that uses conventional CRC error detection codes to correct single and multiple bit errors in packets received over a communications link. The CRC error correction mechanism of the invention is particularly suitable for use with communication protocols with weak error correction capabilities. The mechanism uses the linearity property of the CRC calculation to detect the existence of errors in the received packet. The entire received packet is searched for single bit errors and are corrected in a single cycle. If no single bit errors are found, the mechanism then searches for multiple bit errors. Packet retransmissions are used to detect and mark the location of multiple bit errors. Multiple bit errors are corrected by trying a plurality of hypotheses of single bit error corrections. Each hypotheses pattern is investigated to find matching CRC patterns for correction using the single bit, single cycle CRC error correction method.