Unlicensed Band Terminal Base Station Intermediary for M2M Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication architectures for automated devices, such as utility meters, are costly and prone to interference or failure, especially when using Wi-Fi or cellular networks, as they require extensive infrastructure and are vulnerable to tampering or jamming, making reliable and efficient data transmission challenging.
Innovation Solution
A communication system utilizing a base station and terminals operating in unlicensed frequency bands, with a spread-spectrum protocol, allowing for unattended operation and long-range communication, where terminals can transmit data without user input and the base station schedules transmissions, isolating them from public networks to ensure reliability and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Wi-Fi or cellular networks are used for device communication, then internet access and data transmission capability are provided, but cost and vulnerability to interference or failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated base station as an intermediary between automated devices and the network. This base station operates on a licensed frequency band, providing a stable and controlled communication path that isolates automated devices from the interference and failures characteristic of public unlicensed networks like Wi-Fi and cellular networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into distinct components: automated devices operating in unlicensed bands, a dedicated base station operating in licensed bands, and a server. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal environment, with the base station providing protected licensed-band communication for reliability-critical functions.
2Ease of operation
If extensive infrastructure is deployed for Wi-Fi or cellular access, then communication coverage is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base station is designed to serve multiple automated devices simultaneously, providing a universal communication endpoint. This eliminates the need for each device to have complex infrastructure requirements, as they can all connect through the single base station using simple unlicensed-band transceivers.
3Reliability
If public networks are used for data transmission, then connectivity is provided, but security and data protection are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The base station acts as a secure intermediary that terminates the licensed-band connection. Automated devices communicate with the base station using unlicensed bands, and the base station handles the secure licensed-band connection to the server, providing security without requiring devices to directly access public networks.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a cost-effective and reliable method for automated devices to communicate with servers over long distances, tolerating high latencies and interference, ensuring secure and efficient data transmission, even in challenging environments, by using a spread-spectrum protocol and scheduling algorithms.
Implementation Method 1
A communication system utilizing a base station and terminals operating in unlicensed frequency bands, with a spread-spectrum protocol
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system comprising a base station and two or more terminals configured for communicating with the base station by means of a communications protocol, wherein: the communications protocol operates in a frequency band to which unlicensed access is permitted; and the terminals are configured for unattended operation with the base station.