Automated Interference Source Location in Data Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data communication systems face challenges in detecting and precisely locating both static and dynamic interference sources within or between cells of a network topology, requiring significant manual intervention and lacking fully automated solutions.
Innovation Solution
A data communications system where a controller device instructs client devices to measure and transmit interference metrics, allowing the controller to determine the location of interference sources through scheduled quiet times and geographic triangulation, minimizing manual intervention and enabling automated detection across multiple cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual intervention is used to detect and locate interference sources, then measurement precision can be improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables client devices to automatically detect and report interference sources without requiring manual intervention. The system self-organizes by having each client device measure interference metrics and transmit results to a controller, which automatically processes the data to locate interference sources. This eliminates the need for manual driving and measurement while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes ordinary client devices perform multiple functions: they serve as both communication endpoints and interference detection sensors. By utilizing the existing capabilities of client devices for both data communication and interference measurement, the system avoids adding specialized detection equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If manual detection methods are employed, then interference source location can be determined, but productivity and response time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic interference detection by scheduling quiet times at regular intervals. During these scheduled periods, client devices pause normal communications and perform interference measurements. This periodic approach enables continuous monitoring and rapid detection of interference sources while maintaining normal network operations between measurement intervals, thus improving both detection accuracy and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where client devices continuously measure interference metrics and transmit results to the controller, which processes the information and identifies interference sources. This automated feedback mechanism enables real-time detection and rapid response to interference events, significantly improving productivity compared to manual methods while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Productivity
If automated detection systems are implemented, then productivity improves, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to lack of manual verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical detection processes with electronic automated measurement systems. Client devices use their existing radio frequency capabilities to electronically measure interference metrics, and the controller uses algorithmic processing to determine interference source locations. This substitution maintains or improves measurement precision while dramatically increasing productivity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration and setup during which the controller configures client devices with measurement parameters and schedules. This preliminary configuration ensures that automated measurements are performed with appropriate settings for accurate detection, maintaining measurement precision while enabling high-speed automated operation during actual interference detection.
4Device complexity
If distributed client devices are used for detection, then device complexity is reduced, but the system requires coordinated control increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple client devices. The controller receives measurement results from various client devices, processes the data, and determines interference source locations. This intermediary approach simplifies the operation of individual client devices while maintaining easy system-wide coordination through centralized control, resolving the apparent contradiction between distributed simplicity and coordination complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A data communications system includes a controller device and multiple client devices in data communications with each other over a data communications network. The controller device is configured to issue an instruction to a portion of the client devices that instructs them to acquire an interference characteristic associated with one or more external interference source. The interference characteristic may be measured interference magnitudes associated with a frequency of data communications over the data communications link. The portion of client devices transmits the measured interference magnitudes to the controller device. The controller device then determines a location of one or more interference sources based on the transmitted data.