LR-WPAN Network Units with Wired Connection Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Low Rate Wireless Personal Area Networks (LR-WPANs) face limitations in transmission range and require numerous additional routers or network coordinators for extended coverage, increasing installation complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A connection structure that links network units via a Low Rate Wireless Personal Area Network, allowing direct communication between units outside radio range without conventional routers, using a physical, radio, or optical fiber link, with management units for address data exchange and echo suppression to prevent packet duplication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If additional routers or network coordinators are installed to extend transmission range, then network coverage is improved, but device complexity and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables network units to perform multiple functions: they can communicate wirelessly within radio range and also establish wired connections (power line communication, optical fiber, or radio link) to extend network coverage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate router devices, as each network unit can act as both an endpoint and a network extension point, thereby extending coverage without increasing device complexity or installation effort.
2Area of stationary object
If additional routers or network coordinators are installed to extend transmission range, then network coverage is improved, but the number of network hops increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wired connection structures (power line communication, optical fiber, or radio link) as intermediaries between network units that are outside radio range. These wired connections provide direct physical pathways for data transmission, bypassing the need for multiple wireless hops through intermediate routers. This reduces communication delay while extending network coverage area.
3Area of stationary object
If TCP/IP bridge is used to extend ZigBee network range, then network coverage is improved, but hardware expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables existing ZigBee network units to perform network extension functions using their existing hardware capabilities combined with wired connection options. Network units can establish wired connections (power line communication, optical fiber, or radio link) to extend coverage without requiring separate TCP/IP bridge hardware. This approach leverages the multi-functionality of network units to provide cost-effective network extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables network units to extend the network themselves using available infrastructure (power lines, optical fiber, or radio links) without requiring external bridge devices. The network units autonomously establish wired connections to extend coverage, eliminating the need for additional hardware expenditure on TCP/IP bridges while maintaining low power consumption characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
In a radio network having a low power consumption—a so-called Low Rate Wireless Personal Area Network (LR-WPAN)—a first network unit is arranged above a first physical transmission unit and a first data link unit connected thereto, a first network link having a first switch having echo suppression based on the Low Rate Wireless Personal Area Network being arranged between the first data link unit and the first network unit, and being connected to a second network link having a second switch having echo suppression based on the Low Rate Wireless Personal Area Network via a subsequent connection structure. In this arrangement, this connection structure connects a second network unit to the first network unit for the purpose of communication based on the Low Rate Wireless Personal Area Network.