Frequency Scanning Order Optimization for Wireless Devices

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices face high power consumption and time inefficiency during frequency scanning due to the large number of frequency bands and channels they need to search through, especially in wideband communication systems like 4G LTE and 5G NR, which can lead to prolonged battery drain in battery-operated equipment.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an intelligent frequency scanning algorithm that determines an efficient order for scanning frequency channels based on the likelihood of a successful connection, prioritizing channels with stronger signal power and lower power consumption, using a processor to configure antennas and LNAs to minimize the number of scans required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wireless communication device scans through all frequency bands and channels systematically, then it ensures comprehensive signal detection, but the power consumption and time required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal detection completenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary actions by scanning lower frequency bands first (which have better propagation characteristics and higher likelihood of successful connection) before scanning higher frequency bands. This preliminary scanning of more promising channels reduces the need to exhaustively scan all bands, thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining reliable signal detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The frequency scanning process is made dynamic by adjusting the scanning order based on frequency band characteristics and connection probability. Instead of a static sequential scan, the system dynamically prioritizes lower frequency bands (e.g., Band 3, Band 7) over higher frequency bands (e.g., Band 255, Band 47), adapting the scan strategy to maximize connection success while minimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a wireless communication device scans through all frequency bands and channels systematically, then it ensures comprehensive signal detection, but the time required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal detection completenessVSAvoidtime required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary actions by scanning lower frequency bands first (which have better propagation characteristics and higher likelihood of successful connection) before scanning higher frequency bands. This preliminary scanning of more promising channels reduces the time needed to find a suitable network while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The frequency scanning process is made dynamic by adjusting the scanning order based on frequency band characteristics and connection probability. Instead of a static sequential scan, the system dynamically prioritizes lower frequency bands (e.g., Band 3, Band 7) over higher frequency bands (e.g., Band 255, Band 47), adapting the scan strategy to maximize connection success while minimizing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a wireless communication device supports multiple frequency bands for global roaming, then it increases network compatibility, but the complexity of frequency scanning increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoidfrequency scanning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the frequency scanning process into distinct phases: first scanning lower frequency bands (e.g., Bands 3, 7, 13, 18, 28) that are more likely to provide successful connections, and only if needed, scanning higher frequency bands (e.g., Bands 255, 47). This segmentation reduces the complexity of managing multiple bands by establishing a clear scanning hierarchy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frequency scanning process is made dynamic by adjusting the scanning order based on frequency band characteristics and connection probability. Instead of a static sequential scan, the system dynamically prioritizes lower frequency bands (e.g., Band 3, Band 7) over higher frequency bands (e.g., Band 255, Band 47), adapting the scan strategy to maximize connection success while minimizing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11272433B2Frequency scanning in wireless networks

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 T MOBILE US INC

AI summary

The disclosed technology provides a system for scanning frequency channels that reduces the number of frequency channels scanned from among all the possible frequency channels that a wireless communication device can operate on. The wireless communication device uses historical data on last successful connection together with device data metrics from the last successful connection to determine a probability of successful connection for each of the potential frequency channels. The wireless communication device then ranks the probability associated with each frequency channel to determine a frequency scanning order that results in fewer frequencies being scanned before an appropriate channel is identified.