Frequency Hopping Synchronous Access via Relatively Prime Beacon Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frequency hopping radio communication systems face inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization and anti-interference, particularly in Body Area Networks and wireless sensor networks, where power consumption, time delay, and computational complexity are critical, due to the need for additional signaling channels and limited processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method where a master device sends a broadcast beacon over all N frequency hopping channels with a cycle of M times the predetermined frequency hopping time interval, with M and N being relatively prime, allowing the slave device to receive synchronization information efficiently and reducing the need for pre-stored signaling channel information, thereby enhancing bandwidth utilization and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional signaling channels are used for broadcast beacons, then synchronous access reliability is improved, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the signaling function and data transmission function into the same frequency hopping channels. Broadcast beacons are transmitted using the same N frequency hopping channels that are also used for payload data, eliminating the need for separate dedicated signaling channels and thereby improving bandwidth utilization while maintaining synchronous access reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency hopping channels are designed to serve multiple functions: they can transmit both broadcast beacons for synchronization and payload data for communication. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliable synchronous access without dedicating separate channels, thus optimizing bandwidth usage.
2Reliability
If multiple signaling channels are used for broadcast beacons, then anti-interference capability is improved, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the beacon transmission function with data transmission function in the same frequency hopping channels. By doing so, the system maintains anti-interference capability through frequency hopping while avoiding the bandwidth waste associated with dedicated signaling channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission parameters (time intervals, channel selection) of the broadcast beacons dynamically across the N frequency hopping channels. This parameter variation provides anti-interference capability while using the same bandwidth resources for both signaling and data transmission.
3Reliability
If slave device scans multiple channels to acquire beacon, then synchronization reliability is improved, but time delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slave device autonomously acquires synchronization information by monitoring the frequency hopping channels without requiring pre-configuration or assistance from the master device. The slave can independently detect beacons and establish synchronization, reducing time delay while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The master device transmits broadcast beacons periodically across the N frequency hopping channels at regular intervals. This periodic transmission allows the slave device to acquire synchronization information efficiently without needing to scan all channels continuously, thereby reducing time delay while maintaining synchronization reliability.
4Reliability
If slave device processes broadcast beacon and payload packet differently, then access reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the processing of broadcast beacons and payload packets homogeneous at the slave device side. Both types of packets are handled using the same reception and processing mechanisms, eliminating the need for complex differential processing logic while maintaining access reliability through the frequency hopping synchronization mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for performing synchronous access between a first communication device and a second communication device in frequency hopping radio communication and a relevant communication device and system are provided in the present invention, wherein the first communication device adopts N frequency hopping channels and performs frequency hopping in a predetermined frequency hopping sequence and at a predetermined frequency hopping time interval. The method comprises: sending, by the first communication device, a broadcast beacon over the N frequency hopping channels with a cycle of M times the predetermined frequency hopping time interval, wherein the broadcast beacon carries general information comprising synchronization information, and wherein M and N are both natural numbers and are relatively prime; receiving, by the second communication device, the broadcast beacon over any one frequency hopping channel of the N frequency hopping channels to acquire the synchronization information; and exchanging information, by the second communication device, with the first communication device for access. The above-mentioned flexible, simple and easy-to-implement synchronous access solution can achieve high-efficiency utilization and good anti-interference of a bandwidth, and allows rapid and reliable synchronization to be performed with quite low power consumption.