IoT Interference Control via Traffic Priority and Time Division

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing use of IoT devices with adjacent frequency bands leads to interference issues, affecting communication efficiency and user experience, as existing technologies lack effective methods to manage inter-IoT device interference.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for controlling interference in LTE devices by selecting devices based on traffic priority, determining appropriate interference avoidance methods, and instructing or executing operations to minimize interference, including frequency adjustments and communication technique changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple IoT devices operate in adjacent frequency bands simultaneously, then device functionality and communication capabilities are improved, but interference between devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic time division multiplexing where IoT devices alternately transmit and receive data in scheduled time slots. The controller configures periodic transmission opportunities and reception windows, allowing devices to share adjacent frequency bands without continuous interference. This periodic structure ensures that not all devices transmit simultaneously, reducing collision probability while maintaining communication capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts transmission parameters including time slot allocation, frequency selection, and power levels based on real-time channel conditions and interference levels. The controller monitors device status and communication quality, then adaptively reconfigures resource allocation to minimize interference while maximizing throughput. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to respond to changing conditions and maintain optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If interference avoidance operations are implemented for all IoT devices, then interference control is improved, but device complexity and control overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference controlVSAvoidcontrol overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a centralized controller as an intermediary that manages interference avoidance for multiple IoT devices. Instead of each device independently implementing complex interference control, the controller receives status information from all devices, determines optimal resource allocation, and sends configuration instructions back to devices. This intermediary approach simplifies individual device complexity while maintaining system-wide interference control through centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables IoT devices to autonomously monitor their own transmission status, detect interference conditions, and report to the controller without requiring complex inter-device negotiation protocols. Each device performs self-diagnosis of its communication state and automatically formats status reports, reducing the computational burden on individual devices while still achieving coordinated interference avoidance through the controller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If frequency bands are allocated dynamically to avoid interference, then communication efficiency is improved, but system complexity and resource management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidresource management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the available time resources into discrete transmission slots and frequency resources into allocated bands, then assigns specific time-frequency resources to each IoT device based on priority and traffic type. This segmentation transforms continuous resource allocation into manageable discrete units, simplifying the resource management process while enabling efficient dynamic allocation. The controller can independently configure time slots and frequency bands without managing the entire spectrum continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3186904B1Method and apparatus for controlling interference between internet of things devices
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3186904B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3186904B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3186904B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and apparatus for controlling interference between Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The method for controlling interference between IoT devices includes: selecting a device that will execute interference avoidance among devices that are capable of performing an inter-thing communication by taking a traffic type into consideration; and receiving interference avoidance information required for the interference avoidance from the device that will execute the interference avoidance. The interference avoidance information includes offset information representing a starting time.