LPWAN Relay Beacon Mechanism for Extended Radio Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LPWAN communication systems, connected objects outside the radio range of existing gateways face service disruptions due to the time-consuming and costly process of installing new gateways, which require a mains electrical supply and are not easily deployable in all areas, especially during maintenance or in uncovered geographical zones.
Innovation Solution
A relay mechanism using Class A and Class A′ communication modes allows terminals to communicate with the server through gateways, with relays acting as intermediaries, transmitting beacons at regular intervals and listening for messages during specific timeslots, enabling encapsulation and de-encapsulation of messages to extend the communication range efficiently and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a new gateway is installed to extend radio range coverage, then service coverage is improved, but deployment time and cost increase due to mains electrical supply requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A relay device is introduced as an intermediary between terminals and gateways. The relay extends radio range coverage by receiving messages from terminals and forwarding them to gateways, eliminating the need for immediate gateway installation in remote areas. The relay can be battery-powered or solar-supplied, enabling quick deployment without mains electrical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device is designed as a temporary, cost-effective solution compared to permanent gateway installation. It can be deployed quickly using portable power sources and removed or replaced easily, making it suitable for temporary coverage needs or areas where permanent infrastructure is not feasible.
2Productivity
If a relay is used to extend radio range, then deployment speed and flexibility are improved, but communication protocol complexity increases due to Class A and Class A′ modes
Solution Approach 1:
The relay implements two communication modes (Class A and Class A′) that can be dynamically selected based on the operational context. Class A mode is used for communicating with gateways, while Class A′ mode is used for communicating with terminals. This dynamic adaptation allows the relay to optimize performance for each type of communication while managing protocol complexity through clear mode differentiation.
3Reliability
If gateways are permanently deployed for network infrastructure, then network stability is improved, but energy consumption and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device operates in periodic cycles, alternating between listening for messages from terminals and transmitting to gateways. This periodic operation pattern allows the relay to maintain network functionality while consuming significantly less energy compared to permanently active gateways, as it can enter low-power states between communication cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
An LPWAN communication system includes server equipment, at least one gateway and at least one relay. Each gateway communicates with terminals using a Class A communication mode, wherein any response intended for a terminal uses a reception window defined with respect to a transmission time of an original message by said terminal. Each relay is seen as a terminal by each gateway, and communicates with terminals in accordance with a Class A′ communication mode, defined as follows: the relay transmits beacons at regular intervals and listens out to terminals only during timeslots defined with respect to said beacons. In this Class A′ communication mode, the relay propagates any response toward a terminal using at least one other reception window defined with respect to a transmission time of an original message by said terminal.