Flexible Reservation MAC for Wireless Body Area Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless body area network (BAN) standards, such as IEEE 802.15.4 and Bluetooth, have unsatisfactory power consumption performance, particularly in medical BANs, due to their inflexibility in adapting to traffic fluctuations and channel conditions, which can lead to increased power consumption and poor system performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a flexible reservation-based MAC system with in-band signaling that allows adjustment of existing reservations, preemption for high-priority traffic, and the use of gaps between allocation slots to accommodate varying traffic demands, enabling dynamic adaptation to traffic fluctuations and channel conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If traditional reservation-based MAC is used, then power consumption is reduced, but flexibility to adapt to traffic fluctuations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidflexibility to adapt to traffic fluctuations

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic reservation-based MAC protocol where reservation parameters (time slots, frequency channels, code sequences) can be dynamically adjusted based on real-time traffic conditions. The system transitions from static pre-configured reservations to dynamic reservations that adapt to changing traffic patterns, maintaining low power consumption while gaining flexibility through on-demand reservation modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters of the reservation mechanism including time slot duration, frequency channel allocation, and code sequence length based on traffic requirements. By making these parameters variable rather than fixed, the system can optimize power consumption for low-traffic periods while providing sufficient bandwidth for high-traffic periods, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If reservation agreements are made in advance, then power consumption is reduced, but ability to respond to channel condition changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponse to channel condition changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where devices report channel quality indicators and traffic status to the coordinator. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts reservation allocations to match current channel conditions, ensuring reliable communication while maintaining energy efficiency. The feedback loop enables the system to respond to channel changes without requiring continuous monitoring by all devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary channel quality assessments and traffic pattern predictions to pre-configure reservations that are likely to be optimal. This preliminary action reduces the need for frequent re-negotiations and allows devices to enter low-power states longer, while still maintaining the ability to adapt when actual channel conditions diverge from predictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If signaling processes are used to change reservations, then flexibility is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial reservation changes rather than complete re-negotiations. When traffic conditions change, only the affected portion of the reservation (specific time slots or frequency channels) is modified, while the rest of the reservation structure remains intact. This partial action approach provides necessary flexibility while minimizing the signaling overhead and associated power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential signaling functions from complex multi-device negotiations and consolidates them into centralized coordinator-controlled reservation adjustments. The coordinator alone manages reservation changes based on collected traffic information, eliminating the need for extensive peer-to-peer signaling and reducing overall system power consumption while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9136973B2Flexible reservation-based MAC for wireless body area networks

Publication Date: 2015.09.15 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) protocol is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the described network devices utilize signaling to modify previously made reservations. In other embodiments, reservation adjustment is performed without using signaling. Preemption can also be used to allow flexible reservation adjustment.