LPWA Credit Counter Transmission Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Low-Power Wide-Area (LPWA) communication devices, particularly those using Narrowband IoT (NB IoT) technology, face challenges in managing data transmissions due to limited hardware resources and the need for improved communication systems that can operate without prior contracts with mobile network operators.
Innovation Solution
A communication device and system that utilizes a credit counter value stored within the device to enable or disable transmissions over an LPWA network, allowing credit to be incremented or decremented based on data volume or duration, with Near-Field Communication (NFC) links for credit management and a security enclave for authentication, enabling operation without a prior contract with a mobile network operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a credit counter mechanism is implemented to enable transmissions without prior contracts, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device is divided into functional modules: a control element for managing transmissions, a memory element for storing credit counter values, and a communication interface for NFC interactions. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific, simplified function while collectively enabling the complex prepaid operation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device autonomously monitors its own credit counter value and automatically controls transmission enablement or disabling based on the comparison between the credit counter value and reference value, without requiring external intervention or prior contract management. The device serves itself by making independent decisions about transmission based on stored credit information.
2Area of stationary object
If LPWA technology is used for wide-area coverage, then area of stationary object is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining continuous communication connections, the device transmits data periodically or event-driven when credit is available. The credit counter mechanism enables transmissions only when credit is sufficient, creating periodic rather than continuous operation, which reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining wide-area coverage capability when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a communication device (100) for communicating over a Low-Power Wide-Area, LPWA, communication network. The communication device (100) comprises a memory (101) configured to store a credit counter value, a first communication interface (103) configured to receive a credit counter increment signal, wherein the credit counter increment signal indicates an increment value of the credit counter value, a second communication interface (105) configured to communicate over the LPWA communication network, and a control element (107) configured to control transmissions of the second communication interface (105), wherein the control element (107) is configured to increment the credit counter value by the increment value, to compare the credit counter value with a reference credit counter value, and to enable transmissions of the second communication interface (105), if the credit counter value exceeds the reference credit counter value.