Endpoint Device Gateway Association via Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
IoT and LPWA devices face inefficiencies due to lack of device-to-gateway association, leading to redundant communications, interference, and wastage of resources, as they often communicate with multiple gateways simultaneously, resulting in unnecessary data transmission and interference.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for power controlling end-point devices using a control server that manages transmission power levels, allowing devices to associate with a specific gateway and reduce power usage, thereby eliminating redundant communications and optimizing network resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If end point devices transmit broadcast signals to multiple gateways simultaneously, then communication reliability is improved, but network resources are wasted and interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control server performs preliminary actions by evaluating device-gateway associations before data transmission occurs. It determines the optimal single gateway for each device based on pre-collected signal strength information, establishing the communication path in advance to avoid redundant transmissions and resource waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control server receives signal strength information from gateways, evaluates device-gateway associations, and adjusts transmission parameters accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to optimize communication paths dynamically, ensuring reliable communication while minimizing resource consumption.
2Length of moving object
If end point devices transmit at higher power levels, then transmission range is extended, but interference with other devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control server changes the transmission power parameter dynamically for each device based on its association with a specific gateway and the gateway's reception capabilities. By adjusting power levels to the minimum necessary for successful communication, the system extends transmission range when needed while minimizing interference with other devices transmitting at lower power levels.
3Reliability
If end point devices communicate with multiple gateways, then communication redundancy is created, but throughput efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control server extracts and evaluates signal strength information from multiple gateways to determine the optimal single gateway for each device. By taking out the redundant communication paths and retaining only the most efficient single gateway association, the system maintains communication reliability while significantly improving throughput efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
An end point (EP) device may communicate with multiple gateways via wireless signals, e.g. wireless broadcast signals. An EP device is controlled, under the direction of a control server, e.g., an application server, to communicate via a single gateway. The control server associates the EP device with a single target gateway and/or uses EP transmission power control training iterations to reduce the EP transmission power level until the EP device is only able to successfully communicate its wireless signals to a single gateway.