IEEE 802.15.4 Acknowledgment Frame Handling Across Version Types

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IEEE 802.15.4 wireless communication chips face challenges in efficiently generating and sending acknowledgment frames across different versions of the standard, leading to increased CPU time occupation and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for generating and sending acknowledgment frames in an IEEE 802.15.4 network, utilizing a combination of hardware and software to determine the appropriate acknowledgment frame type based on the frame version number, thereby optimizing CPU usage and power efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software is used to generate all types of acknowledgment frames (Immediate Ack and Enhanced Ack), then compatibility with different IEEE 802.15.4 versions is achieved, but CPU time occupation increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different IEEE 802.15.4 versionsVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the acknowledgment frame generation process into two distinct paths: Immediate Ack frames are generated by hardware circuitry, while Enhanced Ack frames are generated by software. This segmentation allows the system to leverage hardware efficiency for simple acknowledgment types while reserving software processing for more complex enhanced acknowledgment types, thereby reducing overall power consumption and CPU occupancy while maintaining compatibility across different IEEE 802.15.4 versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If software is used to generate all types of acknowledgment frames (Immediate Ack and Enhanced Ack), then compatibility with different IEEE 802.15.4 versions is achieved, but system response delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different IEEE 802.15.4 versionsVSAvoidsystem response delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the acknowledgment frame generation process into two distinct paths: Immediate Ack frames are generated by hardware circuitry, while Enhanced Ack frames are generated by software. This segmentation allows the system to leverage hardware efficiency for simple acknowledgment types while reserving software processing for more complex enhanced acknowledgment types, thereby reducing overall power consumption and CPU occupancy while maintaining compatibility across different IEEE 802.15.4 versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If hardware is used to generate Immediate Ack frames, then power consumption is reduced and CPU time occupation is reduced, but compatibility with Enhanced Ack frames in IEEE 802.15.4-2015 and later versions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcompatibility with IEEE 802.15.4-2015 and later versions

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the acknowledgment frame generation process into two distinct paths: Immediate Ack frames are generated by hardware circuitry, while Enhanced Ack frames are generated by software. This segmentation allows the system to leverage hardware efficiency for simple acknowledgment types while reserving software processing for more complex enhanced acknowledgment types, thereby reducing overall power consumption and CPU occupancy while maintaining compatibility across different IEEE 802.15.4 versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal acknowledgment frame generation mechanism that can handle both Immediate Ack and Enhanced Ack frame types. The system includes hardware circuitry for generating Immediate Ack frames and software for generating Enhanced Ack frames, allowing the same communication device to support multiple IEEE 802.15.4 versions and acknowledgment types, thereby achieving multi-functionality and broad compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250175305A1Method and communication apparatus for generating and sending acknowledgment frame in IEEE 802.15.4 network

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 ESPRESSIF SYST SHANGHAI

AI summary

A method and a communication apparatus for generating and sending an acknowledgment frame in an IEEE 802.15.4 network, the method includes: receiving a message frame from an IEEE 802.15.4 network; parsing the message frame to determine whether the message frame needs to be continuously processed; determining whether the message frame needs to be replied with an acknowledgment frame; determining a frame version number of the message frame; if the frame version number is 0b00 or 0b01, obtaining a sequence code in a frame header of the message frame, and generating the acknowledgment frame in the form of an immediate acknowledgment frame; if the frame version number is 0b10, obtaining the sequence code in the frame header of the message frame, then triggering an interrupt service routine in a memory, and executing the interrupt service routine to generate the acknowledgment frame in the form of an enhanced acknowledgment frame.