Load Control Channel Allocation for Wireless Message Collisions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interference among load control devices due to simultaneous transmission of wireless communications, particularly in multi-device environments, leads to decreased successful communication and inefficiencies in controlling electrical loads.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a channelization strategy where load control devices are grouped and assigned specific communication channels, with staggered assignments across different areas to minimize interference, and using transmission frames with random slot allocation to enhance message delivery reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If multiple load control devices transmit wireless communications simultaneously, then the system can respond quickly to control commands, but interference increases and communication reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication process by dividing the set of load control devices into multiple groups, where each group is assigned a specific communication channel. This segmentation allows devices within the same group to communicate simultaneously without interfering with other groups, thus maintaining response speed while improving communication reliability through reduced interference.
2Reliability
If load control devices are assigned to specific communication channels, then interference is reduced and communication reliability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the channel assignment functionality into the existing load control devices by incorporating communication circuitry that can operate on multiple channels. Rather than adding separate channel management systems, the channel selection and switching capabilities are integrated directly into the load control devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining improved communication reliability.
3Reliability
If devices use random slot allocation within transmission frames, then message delivery reliability improves through collision avoidance, but transmission time variability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission frames with structured time slots for communication. Devices transmit messages at regular intervals within these frames, using random slot allocation only when necessary to avoid collisions. This periodic structure provides predictable transmission timing while maintaining message delivery reliability through the randomized collision avoidance mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control system may include multiple control devices that may send load control messages to load control devices for controlling an amount of power provided electrical loads. To prevent collision of the load control messages, the load control messages may be transmitted using different wireless communication channels. Each wireless communication channel may be assigned to a load control group that may include control devices and load control devices capable of communicating with one another on the assigned channel. A control device may send load control messages to a load control device within a transmission frame allocated for transmitting load control messages. The transmission frame may include equal sub-frames and load control messages may be sent at a random time within each sub-frame. Control devices may detect a status event within a sampling interval to offset transmissions from multiple control devices based on detection of the same event.