Magnetic Field Area Network Coordinator Node Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face limitations in performing reliable communication near water, soil, or metal surfaces, as they are prone to interference and signal loss, unlike magnetic field communication which can overcome these challenges by using a Magnetic Field Area Network (MFAN) that enables smooth wireless communication between a coordinator and multiple nodes.

Innovation Solution

The magnetic field communication method involves a coordinator and nodes within a MFAN, utilizing a superframe structure with request, response, and inactive intervals, allowing for selective packet acknowledgment and data transmission without continuous request packets, enabling efficient communication even in challenging environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wireless communication technology is used near water, soil, or metal surfaces, then communication reliability deteriorates due to interference and signal loss, but magnetic field communication technology can overcome these limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinterference and signal loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional electromagnetic wave-based wireless communication with magnetic field communication. The coordinator and nodes use magnetic field signals instead of conventional radio waves, enabling reliable communication near water, soil, or metal surfaces where traditional wireless technology fails due to interference and signal loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If the coordinator sends request packets to all nodes continuously, then node recognition improves, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenode recognition accuracyVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an inactive interval during which nodes can autonomously transmit data packets to the coordinator without requiring request packets. This self-service mechanism allows nodes to proactively send data when there is no ongoing communication, improving communication efficiency while maintaining accurate node recognition through the structured request-response intervals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If multiple nodes respond simultaneously to a request packet, then response speed improves, but signal collisions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidsignal collisions

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent structures communication into distinct intervals: request intervals where the coordinator sends packets, response intervals where nodes send responses, and inactive intervals for autonomous node transmissions. This periodic structure organizes simultaneous node responses into controlled time slots, maintaining fast response speeds while preventing signal collisions through temporal separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If the coordinator acknowledges every response packet, then communication reliability improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements selective acknowledgment where the coordinator acknowledges only certain response packets rather than every response. During inactive intervals, nodes transmit data autonomously without requiring acknowledgment, reducing the coordinator's energy consumption while maintaining communication reliability for critical transmissions during structured request-response intervals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 method allows for reliable wireless communication in environments where traditional technologies fail, ensuring smooth data exchange and node recognition within a Magnetic Field Area Network, reducing signal collisions and improving communication efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic field communication technology enables wireless communication to be performed near water, soil or metal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field communication: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2373102B1Magnetic field communication method and apparatus capable of recognizing multiple nodes

Publication Date: 2013.11.13 KOREA ELECTRONICS TECH INST

Figure 1(a)~1(f)
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AI summary

Magnetic field communication methods and apparatuses are performed by the coordinator and node of a magnetic field area network, respectively. The method which is performed by the coordinator includes: (a) sending a request packet requesting association with a network, disassociation from a network, network association state checking, data transmission, or group address setting, (b) receiving response packets, (c) selecting one or more response packets from among the received response packets, (d) sending a response acknowledgement packet to nodes corresponding to the selected response packets, (e) receiving response packets resent by nodes which have not received the sent response acknowledgement packet, (f) selecting one or more response packets from among the response packets received at (e), and (g) sending a response acknowledgement packet to nodes corresponding to the response packets selected at (f).