IoT Sensor Scanning for Signal Interference Source Location
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently identifying and remediating interfering signals in communications systems, particularly in wireline and wireless systems, which can lead to signal degradation and interference with RF signals used in IoT implementations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that uses IoT sensors and a network of controllers to detect interfering signals by conducting scans across frequency bands, identifying response conditions, and estimating the location of signal interference sources, while also providing remediation processes to mitigate the interfering signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional signal monitoring methods are used, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect and identify interfering signals is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring function by deploying multiple independent IoT sensors across different frequency bands and locations. Each sensor independently monitors specific frequency ranges, and the controller aggregates their data to identify interfering signals. This segmentation enables comprehensive detection without requiring a single complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The IoT sensors are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as standard communication devices and as interfering signal detectors. The same sensors that communicate data can also detect interfering signals across multiple frequency bands, eliminating the need for dedicated detection hardware and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive frequency band scanning is performed, then interfering signal detection accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic scanning of frequency bands rather than continuous monitoring. IoT sensors scan specific frequency ranges at predetermined intervals, allowing the system to maintain accurate detection capability while reducing the time burden compared to continuous comprehensive scanning. The controller manages scan schedules to optimize detection accuracy within available time windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial scanning by focusing on specific frequency bands where interfering signals are most likely to occur, rather than uniformly scanning all possible frequencies. Based on historical data and signal patterns, the controller directs sensors to prioritize scanning of critical frequency ranges, achieving high identification accuracy with reduced overall scan time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple IoT sensors are deployed across frequency bands, then interfering signal detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each IoT sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: standard communication operations and interfering signal detection across multiple frequency bands. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve broad frequency coverage using the same hardware infrastructure, reducing the need for additional specialized equipment and minimizing network complexity despite deploying multiple sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the communication function and interference detection function into a unified sensor network. The same IoT sensors that facilitate data communication also monitor for interfering signals, and the controller integrates both communication traffic and detection data into a single management framework. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated detection networks.
4Speed
If real-time monitoring of all frequency bands is implemented, then signal interference detection speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous real-time monitoring of all frequency bands, the system implements periodic monitoring at strategically selected intervals. IoT sensors activate scanning operations at predetermined times and frequencies, achieving timely detection of interfering signals while allowing sensors to remain in low-power states between scans, thereby significantly reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs monitoring only on partial frequency bands at any given time based on priority levels and detected signal patterns. Rather than simultaneously scanning all frequency ranges, the controller allocates sensor resources to monitor only the most critical frequency bands during each scanning cycle, maintaining fast detection capability for high-priority bands while conserving energy by reducing monitoring intensity on lower-priority bands.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and processes for identifying and detecting an interfering signal are described. A process may include conducting a scan of one or more frequency bands to obtain at least one scan result and determining therefrom if a response condition has been detected. If so detected, a first frequency band corresponding to the detected response condition may be identified and a response condition action to be performed determined. If no response condition action is to be performed, scanning continues. If a response condition is to be performed two or more available sensors are identified and a first sensor is selected. A scan plan is developed and then initiated by the first sensor. Data from the first sensor is received and analyzed to identify a second frequency band indicative of an interfering signal. Based on at least the scan data, a location for a signal interference source (SIS) may be estimated.