Communication Control Apparatus for LoRa Interference Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LoRa-based LPWA communication systems, radio wave interference between geographically close gateways leads to frequent packet collisions and retransmissions, increasing the time required for data reception among a large number of terminals.
Innovation Solution
A communication control device that classifies terminals based on radio wave interference magnitude and received signal intensity, synchronizing packet transmissions to minimize interference by transmitting to non-interference terminals simultaneously and interference terminals at different timings, and adjusting transmission power and timing intervals based on communication quality and interference levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If packets are transmitted simultaneously to multiple neighboring base stations, then communication efficiency is improved and time required is reduced, but radio wave interference occurs in overlapping areas causing frequent packet collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments terminals into two categories: terminals in non-overlapping areas and terminals in overlapping areas. This segmentation allows different transmission strategies to be applied to different terminal groups, enabling simultaneous transmission to non-interfering terminals while avoiding interference for terminals in overlapping regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different transmission qualities/timing based on local conditions. For terminals in overlapping areas, packets are transmitted at different timings to avoid interference, while terminals in non-overlapping areas receive simultaneous transmissions. This local differentiation optimizes overall system performance.
2Reliability
If packets are transmitted at different timings to avoid interference, then packet collision is reduced, but communication time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting terminals based on their geographic location and interference exposure, the system can apply time-diversity only where necessary (overlapping areas) while maintaining time-synchronization where it benefits performance (non-overlapping areas).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies interference avoidance timing adjustments only partially - specifically to terminals in overlapping areas - rather than to all terminals. This partial application of the timing diversification strategy minimizes the overall time loss while still providing reliability where needed.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple gateways operate at the same frequency to expand coverage, then wide area coverage is achieved, but radio wave interference increases in overlapping areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission timing parameter for packets destined for terminals in overlapping areas. By adjusting the transmission timing based on interference conditions rather than using a uniform approach, the system maintains frequency reuse for wide coverage while mitigating interference effects.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication control device that transmits a packet to be transmitted to a terminal to a base station that performs wireless communication with the terminal, includes: a terminal classification unit that classifies, on the basis of a magnitude of radio wave interference from a base station different from a neighboring base station, a plurality of the terminals into a first terminal set and a second terminal set that is relatively larger in the magnitude of radio wave interference than the first terminal set; and a transmission unit that transmits, in a case where packets destinations of which are terminals belonging to the first terminal set are to be transmitted to respective neighboring base stations of the terminals, the packets at the same timing and transmits, in a case where packets destinations of which are terminals belonging to the second terminal set are to be transmitted to respective neighboring base stations of the terminals, the packets at timings different from each other.