Adaptive Channelization for MBAN Spectrum Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current channelization schemes for medical body area networks (MBANs) are inefficient in utilizing the available spectrum due to limited channel availability and interference from primary users, leading to suboptimal spectral use and potential interference issues, especially in scenarios where primary user spectra need to be protected.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an adaptive channelization scheme with a channel regulator that dynamically manages MBAN spectrum usage by defining non-overlapping and overlapping channels, using a MAC channel mask parameter to enable/disable channel access based on E-key authorization and spectrum use status, thereby maximizing channel availability while ensuring compliance with MBAN regulations and coexistence with primary users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed non-overlapping channelization scheme is used in the MBAN spectrum, then channel access is simplified and coexistence with primary users is ensured, but spectral use efficiency deteriorates due to limited channel availability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel access simplicityVSAvoidspectral use efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic channelization scheme where the set of available channels is not fixed but adapts based on primary user activity. The channel regulator dynamically determines which channels are available for MBAN operation by monitoring primary user presence, allowing the system to transition between different channel configurations in real-time to maximize spectral efficiency while maintaining simplicity in channel access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the MBAN spectrum is opened for secondary use to increase bandwidth, then spectral use efficiency improves, but interference with primary users increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral use efficiencyVSAvoidinterference with primary users

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the channel regulator continuously monitors the spectrum environment to detect primary user activity. Based on this feedback, the regulator dynamically adjusts the set of available channels for MBAN operation, ensuring that channels are only accessed when primary users are not present, thus maintaining spectral efficiency while preventing harmful interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of primary user presence before allowing MBAN channels to be activated. The channel regulator proactively identifies and reserves channels that would cause interference with primary users, preventing such interference before it occurs rather than reacting after interference has happened.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If channel regulations require vacating spectrum for primary users, then coexistence with primary users is ensured, but channel availability for MBAN deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoexistence with primary usersVSAvoidchannel availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9380586B2MBAN channel use regulation scheme and adaptive channelization for IEEE 802.15.4J standardization

Publication Date: 2016.06.28 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A medical system includes one or more medical body area network (MBAN) systems. Each MBAN system includes one or more MBAN devices which acquire and communicate patient data with a hub device via short-range wireless communication. The communication of the patient data via the short-range wireless communication is within a predefined spectrum. The hub device receives patient data communicated from the one or more MBAN devices and communicates with a central monitoring station via a longer range communication. A MBAN channelization scheme defines one or more overlapping channels in the predefined spectrum and a MAC parameter dynamically enables or disables access to each defined channel. A channel regulator manages the MBAN utilization of the predefined spectrum by setting the MAC parameter to dynamically enable/disable the one or more predefined MBAN channels within the predefined spectrum.