LiFi Coordinator Interference Handling via Distributed Time Scheduling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks with multiple Optical Wireless Personal Area Networks (OWPANs) face interference challenges that require a global controller function, which is costly and unreliable, especially when the central unit fails or communication with it fails.
Innovation Solution
A system where at least one coordinator determines its reserved period in a global time frame, advertises its identifier and reserved period, and reports interference to other coordinators, allowing them to control transmissions by limiting communication to their reserved periods, eliminating the need for a central global controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central global controller unit is implemented to handle interference between multiple OWPANs, then interference management capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the global controller function from a separate central unit and integrates it into the existing coordinator devices within the OWPAN network. This eliminates the need for additional hardware while maintaining interference management capabilities through software-based coordination between multiple coordinators.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinator devices are designed to perform both their original OWPAN management functions and the additional global controller functions for interference management. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle multiple roles, reducing overall system complexity and eliminating the need for separate dedicated controller hardware.
2Ease of operation
If a central global controller unit is implemented, then centralized interference control is achieved, but system reliability decreases due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The global controller function is segmented and distributed across multiple coordinator devices rather than being concentrated in a single central unit. Each coordinator independently executes interference management algorithms, creating multiple operational nodes that can function autonomously if others fail, thereby eliminating the single point of failure while maintaining centralized control capabilities.
3Device complexity
If global controller function is assigned to one local OWPAN coordinator, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to dependency on single coordinator
Solution Approach 1:
Each coordinator device is equipped with the full global controller function, creating local capabilities for interference management at each network node. This ensures that every coordinator can independently handle interference issues in its local area without depending on communication with other coordinators, maintaining operational continuity even when inter-coordinator communication fails.
Data Source
AI summary
In a LiFi network with multiple coordinators, interference in the overlapping areas between the local parts of the network can occur if each coordinator determines its own local time schedule for communicating with devices. To solve this problem, the invention proposes cooperation between the coordinators to determine non-interfering local time schedules whereby the coordinators rely on interference reports from the devices in the overlapping areas and apply a small number of simple rules. The proposed method is simple, scalable and independent from a central unit.