Distributed Signal Selection Without Centralized Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional communication systems employing a centralized multi-input data processor for determining best quality data are prone to a single point of failure, which can lead to system instability in case of prime site or processor failure.

Innovation Solution

A distributed method where data processors coordinate with each other to select the best quality signal without a centralized server, using a voting mechanism to determine a recovered signal with a quality measure better than others, and transmit it to recipients or infrastructure for further processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a centralized multi-input data processor is used to determine best quality data, then data processing capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to single point of failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing capabilityVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized data processing function into multiple distributed data processors, each capable of independently receiving and processing data. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure while maintaining collective data processing capability through distributed architecture where no single processor is critical to system operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic role assignment where data processors can transition between different functional roles (infrastructure processor, voting group member, best quality data determiner) based on real-time system conditions and quality measures. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain reliability while preserving processing capability through flexible reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If a centralized prime site processes data from multiple sub sites, then best quality data determination is achieved, but system complexity increases due to centralized architecture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebest quality data determinationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each data processor independently performs quality measurement and evaluation of received data without requiring centralized coordination. Processors autonomously determine quality measures, compare their own data quality against peers, and self-select best quality data, eliminating complex centralized control mechanisms while maintaining determination precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback loops where data processors exchange quality measure information with each other, allowing distributed comparison and selection of best quality data. This feedback mechanism enables precise quality determination through peer-to-peer validation without requiring complex centralized arbitration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If data processors coordinate to select best quality signal without centralized server, then system reliability is improved, but communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Data processors exchange only the necessary quality measure parameters rather than complete data sets, performing partial information sharing sufficient for quality comparison. This reduces communication overhead to the minimum required level while maintaining the distributed reliability benefits of coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms complex quality assessment into simplified parameter comparisons by defining specific quality measures that can be exchanged and compared efficiently. This parameter transformation reduces communication overhead by converting complex data quality evaluation into straightforward numerical parameter comparison between processors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2520030B1Method for selecting a best quality signal among multiple signals received by data processors in a communication system
Publication Date: 2014.09.24 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP2520030B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2520030B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2520030B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for selecting a best quality signal among multiple signals received by data processors in a communication system. In this method, a plurality of data processors receives the signal transmitted by a data source. Further, the data processors coordinate with each other to select a best quality signal among the plurality of signals received by the data processors without the utilization or assistance of a centralized server. Specifically, the data processors coordinate with each other to determine a recovered signal, where the recovered signal comprises a representation of the received signal of at least one data processor having a quality measure better than a quality measure associated with each received signal from all other data processors.