Gateway Apparatus Hybrid Network Access Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless terminals and nodes in hybrid networks can only maintain connections with one network at a time, limiting their ability to simultaneously receive signals from multiple networks, which increases power consumption and reduces standby time, while single-mode nodes lack the capability to support multiple protocols, hindering network connectivity and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for accessing hybrid networks that involve a gateway node sensing a relay request slot on a downlink common control channel, allowing a wireless terminal to transmit a relay request signal and establish a connection with a distributed network, thereby reducing power consumption and extending standby or serving time by intermittently sensing the distributed network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dual-mode wireless terminal simultaneously detects signals from two networks, then the ability to receive signals from multiple networks is improved, but power consumption increases and standby time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway node periodically wakes up to detect relay request signals on the downlink common control channel at predetermined intervals, rather than continuously monitoring both networks. This periodic detection mechanism allows the system to maintain network awareness while significantly reducing power consumption and extending standby time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the relay request detection function from continuous network monitoring. By separating the relay request signal detection (which occurs periodically on the downlink common control channel) from continuous distributed network monitoring, the system achieves selective awareness - only detecting when relay requests are present without maintaining constant surveillance of all network signals.
2Reliability
If a gateway node continuously senses both wide area network and distributed network signals, then network connectivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway node employs periodic wake-up cycles to detect relay request signals rather than continuous sensing. The node wakes up at predetermined intervals to check for relay requests on the downlink common control channel, then enters low-power standby mode. This periodic operation maintains sufficient network connectivity awareness while dramatically reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by having the gateway node pre-configured with knowledge of relay request slot timings and downlink common control channel schedules. This allows the gateway to wake up at the correct moments without needing continuous monitoring, as the timing information is predetermined and built into the node's operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a wireless terminal maintains connection with one network only, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to simultaneously receive signals from multiple networks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a universal relay mechanism that enables single-mode wireless terminals to access both wide area networks and distributed networks through a gateway node. The relay request signal mechanism provides multi-functionality to single-mode terminals, allowing them to receive signals from multiple networks without maintaining multiple simultaneous connections themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway node acts as an intermediary between single-mode wireless terminals and multiple networks. Instead of requiring terminals to directly manage multiple network connections, the gateway mediates by detecting relay requests and establishing appropriate connections, thereby enabling single-mode terminals to access multiple networks through this intermediate service.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for accessing a hybrid network including a wide area network and a distributed network, a gateway apparatus, a wireless terminal and a gateway communication system are disclosed for reducing the power consumption of the wireless terminal which is an access gateway. The method comprises: sensing by a gateway apparatus a relay request slot on a downlink common control channel of the wide area network; transmitting by a wireless terminal a relay request signal requesting to relay a data packet to be transmitted, in the relay request slot on the downlink common control channel; and if the relay request signal from the wireless terminal is sensed in the relay request slot, establishing by the gateway apparatus a connection with the wireless terminal in a distributed network environment. As such, the gateway apparatus accesses the wireless distributed network only when the surrounding wireless terminals require data relay, without sensing signals on both networks simultaneously, in order to reduce the power consumption.