Dynamic Radio Scheduler for Multi-Protocol Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing devices that support multiple network protocols, such as WiFi, ZigBee, and Bluetooth Low Energy, is challenging due to unique timing requirements, leading to difficulties in creating an efficient scheduler that can handle these protocols effectively.
Innovation Solution
A scheduler that compares and schedules actions from multiple network software stacks based on requested start time, estimated action duration, slip time, and priority to optimize radio usage and minimize failed attempts, allowing for intelligent prioritization and scheduling of actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single radio is used to operate multiple wireless protocols, then cost, real estate and power consumption are minimized, but scheduling complexity increases due to unique timing requirements of each protocol
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduler dynamically adjusts scheduling decisions based on real-time conditions including protocol-specific timing requirements, connection timeout periods, and current radio state. The system adapts its scheduling algorithm to accommodate the unique temporal characteristics of each wireless protocol (WiFi, ZigBee, Bluetooth Low Energy) rather than using a static scheduling approach
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes scheduling parameters such as priority levels, time slots, and execution sequences based on the specific protocol being executed and its timing constraints. The scheduler modifies operational parameters to align with each protocol's requirements, including handling sleepy end device scenarios where a device may be in low power state for several minutes versus protocols with strict connection timeout periods
2Reliability
If protocol-specific timing requirements are strictly enforced, then protocol reliability is improved, but radio utilization efficiency decreases due to idle periods and waiting times
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduler performs preliminary analysis of protocol timing requirements and connection timeout periods before executing radio operations. It pre-calculates optimal scheduling sequences that satisfy protocol compliance while minimizing idle periods, preparing advance schedules that account for sleepy end device scenarios and connection maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by carefully sequencing protocol executions to minimize radio idle time. The scheduler ensures that when the radio transitions between protocols, it does so efficiently by overlapping compatible operations and eliminating unnecessary waiting periods, thereby maintaining protocol compliance while maximizing productive radio utilization
3Device complexity
If actions are scheduled based only on given priority, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but overall system performance deteriorates due to lack of optimization for duration and delay tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduler computes and utilizes additional parameters including action duration estimates and delay tolerance metrics for each scheduling decision. These computed parameters enable the system to optimize radio usage by prioritizing actions not only by their given priority but also by their duration and ability to tolerate delays, creating a multi-dimensional scheduling approach
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of intelligently scheduling actions from multiple network software stacks is disclosed. The scheduler uses information, such as requested start time, slip time, action duration and priority to schedule actions among a plurality of network stacks. In some embodiments, the scheduler attempts to maximize the radio usage by prioritizing the actions based not only on their given priority, but also based on their duration, and the ability for other actions to tolerate a delay in being performed.