Bluetooth Mesh Heartbeat Synchronization for Low-Power Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Bluetooth mesh networks, the provisioner continuously scans for heartbeat messages from nodes, leading to high power consumption and reduced air interface efficiency due to the need to avoid missing these messages.
Innovation Solution
Nodes in the Bluetooth mesh network synchronize their heartbeat messages to be sent collectively within a specific time period, allowing the provisioner to scan only during this time, reducing scanning duration and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the provisioner continuously scans for heartbeat messages from nodes, then all heartbeat messages are captured without missing any, but power consumption increases and air interface efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by configuring nodes to send heartbeat messages at specific periodic intervals rather than continuously. The provisioner scans for heartbeat messages during designated time windows corresponding to these periodic transmissions, allowing the provisioner to enter low-power states between scanning periods while still reliably capturing all heartbeat messages.
2Reliability
If the provisioner continuously scans for heartbeat messages from nodes, then all heartbeat messages are captured without missing any, but air interface efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing specific time windows for heartbeat message transmission and scanning. Nodes send heartbeats periodically at configured intervals, and the provisioner performs scanning operations only during these designated windows, thereby improving air interface efficiency by reducing unnecessary continuous scanning while maintaining complete message capture reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If nodes send heartbeat messages at different intervals, then each node operates independently, but the provisioner cannot efficiently synchronize scanning to reduce power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by synchronizing multiple nodes' heartbeat message transmissions to occur within coordinated time windows. The provisioner configures nodes to align their periodic heartbeat intervals, allowing the provisioner to perform centralized scanning during these merged time windows rather than continuously monitoring each node independently, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining node operational independence.
Data Source
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AI summary
A heartbeat synchronization method includes: A first electronic device determines a heartbeat period of a second electronic device; the first electronic device receives a heartbeat message of the second electronic device, where the heartbeat message of the second electronic device is sent based on the heartbeat period of the second electronic device; the first electronic device determines a first preset time; the first electronic device sends a first message to a third electronic device after the first preset time expires, where the first message is used to set a heartbeat period of the third electronic device, and the heartbeat period of the third electronic device is the same as the heartbeat period of the second electronic device; and the first electronic device receives a heartbeat message of the third electronic device, where the first electronic device has a first working period, the first working period has a first time segment and a second time segment, the first electronic device is in a first state in the first time segment of the first working period, the first electronic device is in a second state in the second time segment of the first working period, power consumption in the first state is different from power consumption in the second state, and the first electronic device receives the heartbeat message of the second electronic device and the heartbeat message of the third electronic device in the first time segment of the first working period. In this way, the second electronic device and the third electronic device may collectively send heartbeat messages within one time range, thereby reducing a scanning time of the first electronic device, and reducing power consumption of the first electronic device.