Hub-Based Wireless Channel Selection Using Active Noise Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face interference from unintended noise sources and background noise, which degrades communication quality and affects other devices, and existing methods for channel selection do not adequately address these issues.

Innovation Solution

A hub system that transmits a response request to devices on multiple channels, listens for responses, and determines an activity characteristic for each channel based on received signals, allowing it to select the best channel for communication by considering potential noise sources, including devices that may not typically respond to the request.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the hub listens passively on all channels to measure background noise, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended scanning duration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise measurement accuracyVSAvoidchannel scanning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by sending response requests to activate other devices before measuring channel activity. This ensures that devices are in their normal operational state during measurement, providing accurate noise level readings without requiring extended passive listening periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hub sends response requests to devices and measures their responses to obtain feedback about channel activity. This active feedback mechanism allows the system to assess noise levels and device states efficiently, reducing the time needed compared to passive monitoring while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the hub activates all devices to transmit responses for noise measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel activity measurement accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption during channel selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The hub performs preliminary actions by sending response requests to activate other devices before measuring channel activity. This ensures that devices are in their normal operational state during measurement, providing accurate noise level readings without requiring extended passive listening periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system temporarily activates devices only for the purpose of measurement and then returns them to their normal state. This brief activation period minimizes energy consumption while still obtaining the necessary measurement data about channel activity and noise levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If the system measures channel activity during normal device operation, then reliability is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to interference from activated devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel selection accuracyVSAvoidinterference noise from responding devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful interference noise generated by responding devices into a beneficial measurement opportunity. By requesting responses from devices, the hub uses their transmitted signals as indicators of channel activity and noise levels, transforming what would be interference into useful measurement data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The hub performs preliminary actions by sending response requests to activate other devices before measuring channel activity. This ensures that devices are in their normal operational state during measurement, providing accurate noise level readings without requiring extended passive listening periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4287742B1Communication channel selection system and method
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 ESSENCE SECURITY INTERNATIONAL LTD (ESI)
  • EP4287742B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4287742B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4287742B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hub, a system comprising the hub, a method of wireless communication channel selection and an associated computer program product, wherein the hub is configured for selective wireless communication over any channel of a plurality of wireless communication channels, the hub being configured to transmit a response request, the response request comprising a request for at least one or any device receiving and processing at least part of the response request to transmit a response over a listening period; during the listening period, listen to each channel of the plurality of channels; and determine an activity characteristic for each channel based, at least in part, on activity received by the hub on the respective channel during the listening period.