Load Control Channel Grouping for Wireless Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load control systems face interference issues due to multiple devices transmitting wireless communications simultaneously on the same channel, leading to decreased successful communications and increased interference, especially in environments with numerous load control devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a channelization method where control devices are grouped and assigned specific wireless communication channels to mitigate interference, with each group communicating on a designated channel, and using transmission frames with random sub-frames to increase message reliability and reduce collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple control devices transmit wireless communications simultaneously on the same channel, then communication coverage is maximized, but interference increases and successful communications decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless communication channel by dividing it into multiple transmission frames, each frame containing multiple sub-frames. Control devices are assigned to different groups (Group A, Group B, etc.), and each group transmits on different sub-frames within the transmission frame structure. This segmentation prevents simultaneous transmissions on the same channel, eliminating interference while maintaining comprehensive communication coverage across all devices.
2Reliability
If control devices are grouped and assigned specific channels, then interference is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the transmission frame structure, where Group A devices transmit on odd sub-frames (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11) and Group B devices transmit on even sub-frames (2, 4, 6, 8, 10). This periodic, alternating transmission pattern simplifies the configuration process compared to assigning unique channels to each device, as devices only need to identify their group and follow the predetermined sub-frame assignment pattern, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high communication reliability.
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.