Multi-Channel TSCH Scheduling for Low-Power Wireless Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional time synchronized channel hopping (TSCH) wireless networks are limited in throughput and capacity as only one frequency channel is used for data transmission during each timeslot, restricting simultaneous communication among multiple nodes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows multiple wireless nodes to communicate on multiple channels simultaneously using time synchronized channel hopping (TSCH) with scheduled communications per timeslot, enabling simultaneous data transmission and acknowledgement packets, either simultaneously or staggered, to increase capacity and throughput while maintaining low power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If only one frequency channel is used per timeslot in conventional TSCH, then power consumption is kept low, but throughput and network capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-channel communication to multi-channel communication within the same timeslot. By adding the frequency dimension to the time-based TSCH protocol, multiple nodes can simultaneously transmit data across different frequency channels, thereby increasing throughput without requiring additional timeslots that would increase power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple channels that can be used simultaneously. Each node is assigned specific frequency channels for transmission, allowing parallel communication across segmented frequency resources while maintaining the low-power TSCH timing structure.
2Productivity
If only one frequency channel is used per timeslot in conventional TSCH, then device complexity is kept simple, but network capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the conventional TSCH protocol by incorporating frequency channel selection into the existing time-synchronized framework. Nodes use the same TSCH timing structure but select from multiple available frequency channels, increasing network capacity while adding only moderate complexity through channel assignment tables and frequency hopping sequences.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for increasing capacity and throughput in a wireless network includes a plurality of wireless nodes configured to communicate wirelessly with one another on respective frequency channels according to a schedule. The schedule includes timeslots. For respective timeslots, first and second transmitting wireless nodes generate transmissions for a receiving wireless node. The receiving wireless node includes a receiver circuit configured to receive the transmissions from the first and the second transmitting wireless nodes simultaneously and on separate frequency channels, and a transmitter circuit configured to generate acknowledgment packets for the first and the second transmitting wireless nodes upon receipt of the transmissions by the receiving wireless node.