Multi-Channel Wireless Logging System with Time Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional logging systems for wireless communication are unable to collect logs showing the communication status of wireless devices that use multiple channels, particularly in methods like Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum, where channel switching occurs rapidly, and cannot capture logs from all channels simultaneously, especially in mesh-type networks where channel interference is a concern.

Innovation Solution

A logging system comprising multiple receiving wireless devices and a logging device, where each receiving device captures communication content from a corresponding channel, generates a log with a time stamp, and the logging device collects these logs from all devices, ensuring high accuracy time synchronization and sequential logging across multiple channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single receiving wireless device is used to capture logs, then the device complexity is low and ease of operation is maintained, but the ability to collect logs from multiple channels simultaneously is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to collect logs from multiple channelsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the log collection function into multiple receiving wireless devices, each responsible for capturing logs from a specific channel. This segmentation allows simultaneous monitoring of multiple channels without requiring a single complex device to handle all channels, thus improving multi-channel adaptability while keeping individual device complexity low.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each receiving wireless device is designed with universal functionality to capture logs from its assigned channel, and the collective set of devices provides multi-functionality across all channels. The logging device then universally collects and integrates logs from all receiving devices, creating a scalable system that can adapt to any number of channels by simply adding or configuring receiving devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If channel switching is performed rapidly to monitor multiple channels, then the ability to capture communication status across channels is improved, but the time synchronization accuracy and log reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-channel monitoring capabilityVSAvoidtime synchronization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assignment of specific channels to specific receiving wireless devices before log collection begins. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for rapid channel switching during operation, as each device remains tuned to its assigned channel. Time synchronization is established in advance through the logging device coordinating with all receiving devices, ensuring accurate timestamping without the reliability issues caused by rapid switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If a receiving wireless device switches channels to follow the target device, then logs from the target channel can be captured, but the device complexity increases and the switching speed requirements become difficult to meet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelog capture completenessVSAvoidchannel switching complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of one receiving device attempting to switch channels to follow the target, the system segments the monitoring task across multiple fixed receiving devices, each dedicated to a specific channel. This eliminates the complexity of channel switching while ensuring complete log capture, as each device continuously monitors its assigned channel without needing to change frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of information

If multiple receiving wireless devices are used to monitor multiple channels simultaneously, then the log collection coverage is improved, but the system complexity and coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelog collection coverageVSAvoidsystem coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the log collection function at the logging device, which receives and integrates logs from all receiving wireless devices. This centralization simplifies coordination by providing a single point of collection and synchronization, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from peer-to-peer coordination between multiple receiving devices. The logging device handles time synchronization and log aggregation, making the overall system easier to manage despite having multiple receiving devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9026155B2Logging system for wireless communication and wireless device

Publication Date: 2015.05.05 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A logging system includes a plurality of receiving wireless devices, and a logging device. Each receiving wireless device receives a communication content of a target wireless device by using a corresponding channel. Each receiving wireless device outputs a log that shows a communication status of the corresponding channel. A logging device collects the log that is output from each of the plurality of receiving wireless devices.