Directional Antenna Scheduling for Network Node Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems between network nodes require both directional and omnidirectional antennas, leading to increased spectrum usage, power consumption, and costs due to the need for additional equipment to establish node locations and facilitate high-rate communications.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses scheduled time periods and directional pointing of antennas to establish and maintain communications between nodes, eliminating the need for omnidirectional antennas by pre-establishing transmission and reception directions, thereby reducing spectrum usage and power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If directional antennas are used for communication between nodes, then data rate and range are improved, but the ability to establish communication between nodes with unknown locations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having nodes broadcast their location information and by pre-calculating the directions to neighboring nodes before actual communication begins. This allows nodes to have location and directional information ready in advance, enabling directional antennas to immediately establish high-rate communication without needing omnidirectional antennas for initial location discovery.
2Measurement precision
If omnidirectional antenna is used to establish node locations, then location determination is achieved, but additional spectrum space and power are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the location determination function from the communication antenna system. Instead of using an omnidirectional antenna for location discovery, the system uses a separate broadcasting mechanism where nodes transmit their location information. This separates the location determination function from the high-power directional communication function, allowing directional antennas to be used exclusively for high-rate data transmission without the power penalty of omnidirectional operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The directional antenna serves multiple functions: it is used both for receiving location information during the establishment phase and for high-rate data communication afterward. By making the directional antenna multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for a separate omnidirectional antenna, thereby reducing power consumption and spectrum usage while maintaining the ability to determine node locations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two antennas (omnidirectional and directional) are used per node, then both location establishment and high-rate communication are achieved, but cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The directional antenna is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving location information during network establishment and conducting high-rate data communication. By making the directional antenna multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for a separate omnidirectional antenna, thereby reducing node weight, cost, and complexity while maintaining full communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the location reception function and the data communication function into a single directional antenna system. Instead of having separate antennas for these functions, the directional antenna handles both tasks at different time periods, as coordinated by the scheduling mechanism. This consolidation reduces the number of components per node, lowering weight and cost.
4Measurement precision
If omnidirectional antenna is used for location establishment, then node locations are determined, but additional spectrum width is utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the location determination function from the spectrum used by directional antennas. Instead of using omnidirectional antennas that require additional spectrum for location discovery, the system uses a separate broadcasting mechanism for location information. This separation allows the directional antenna spectrum to be used exclusively for high-rate data communication, optimizing spectrum utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for establishing and conducting communications within a network. The discloses systems and methods may include determining a scheduled time period for communications between a first communication node and a second communication node. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include determining a direction of transmission for transmitting data from the first communication node to the second transmission node and receiving data transmitted from the second transmission node and determining a direction of transmission for receiving data from the first communication node and transmitting data from the second transmission node to the first transmission node. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods may include establishing communications between the first communication node and the second communication node.