Hybrid Interference Handling in Optical Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical wireless networks, such as Li-Fi, face challenges in interference handling due to overlapping coverage areas of access points, leading to communication interference and inefficiencies in centralized and distributed interference management approaches, particularly when central control units fail or become overloaded.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for coordinating interference handling in optical wireless communication networks by negotiating the configuration of interference handling functions between central and distributed entities, allowing for a flexible distribution of interference handling functions across both entities, enabling a hybrid or centralized, distributed, or fully decentralized approach to optimize performance and reduce communication overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized interference handling approach is used, then coordination and control are simplified, but the system becomes vulnerable to central control unit failure and overload
Solution Approach 1:
The interference handling functionality is segmented into multiple levels: a central global master entity that performs high-level coordination and a distributed interference handling entity at the access point that performs local interference management. This segmentation allows simplified centralized control for overall coordination while distributing critical interference handling functions to multiple access points, thereby improving system robustness against central control failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the central global master entity negotiates with distributed interference handling entities to determine the configuration of interference handling functions. This intermediary negotiation process allows the system to dynamically adjust the balance between centralized control and distributed execution, maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability through distributed redundancy.
2Reliability
If a distributed interference handling approach is used, then system robustness is improved, but coordination complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting interference handling into hierarchical levels, the patent reduces coordination complexity. The central global master entity handles high-level coordination while distributed entities handle local execution, avoiding the need for full distributed coordination among all access points. This segmentation maintains system robustness while significantly reducing communication overhead and coordination complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the configuration of interference handling functions between central and distributed entities based on negotiation. This dynamic allocation allows the system to optimize the balance between robustness and coordination complexity, distributing functions when robustness is prioritized and centralizing when coordination simplicity is needed.
3Productivity
If interference handling functions are centralized, then system-wide optimization is achieved, but processing load and communication overhead at the central unit increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments processing load by assigning different functions to different levels: the central global master entity performs system-wide optimization through high-level coordination, while the distributed interference handling entity at the access point handles local interference management and scheduling. This segmentation maintains system-wide optimization benefits while significantly reducing the processing load and communication overhead at the central unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial centralization where only critical high-level coordination functions are centralized, while lower-level interference handling is distributed. This partial action approach achieves sufficient system-wide optimization without the excessive processing load that would result from full centralization.
4Power
If interference handling functions are distributed, then processing load is reduced at central unit, but system-wide coordination efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting interference handling into hierarchical levels, the patent ensures that distributed entities handle local processing (reducing central load) while the central global master entity maintains system-wide coordination efficiency through high-level oversight and negotiation. This segmentation allows processing load reduction without sacrificing overall coordination efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic negotiation mechanism allows the system to adjust the distribution of interference handling functions based on current system conditions. When coordination efficiency is prioritized, more functions can be centralized; when processing load reduction is needed, more functions are distributed. This dynamic adjustment maintains an optimal balance between the two competing objectives.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to an interference handling method and system for an optical wireless communication system, wherein multiple levels and operating modes are provided to flexibly handle partitioning of a coordination functionality between a central entity and distributed entities. Thereby, the coordination functionality which relies on interference reports from devices in overlapping coverage areas of access points can be central or distributed over access points or partly central and partly distributed.