NB-IoT eNB Controller for Dynamic Link Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous Internet of Things (IoT) environments, existing communication technologies face challenges in efficiently managing communication between diverse IoT devices, leading to latency and scalability issues due to fluctuating data traffic and the need for cumbersome pairing and connection procedures when switching between communication protocols.
Innovation Solution
A Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IOT) evolved nodeB (eNB) system that dynamically allocates Physical Resource Blocks and selects communication links based on device information, discoverability, and application requirements, using a controller to manage communication between IoT devices and facilitate seamless transitions between NB-IOT and short-range communication protocols like Bluetooth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication technologies are used in heterogeneous IoT environments, then communication versatility is improved, but device complexity and protocol switching overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary device that manages communication between IoT devices and the network. The controller handles protocol selection, resource allocation, and connection management, thereby reducing the complexity burden from individual devices while maintaining multi-protocol support at the network level.
Solution Approach 2:
The network controller is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle multiple communication protocols (NB-IoT, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) and perform various tasks including resource allocation, authentication, and data routing. This universal approach allows a single device to manage diverse communication requirements without increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication protocols are switched between NB-IoT and short-range protocols, then adaptability is improved, but latency increases due to pairing and connection procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pre-authentication and pre-connection establishment mechanisms where devices are authenticated and connection parameters are configured in advance before actual data transfer begins. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming pairing and connection procedures when switching between NB-IoT and short-range protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects communication protocols based on real-time conditions such as data volume, distance, and network status. The network controller can switch between NB-IoT for large-volume distant communication and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi for small-volume nearby communication without requiring full re-pairing, thereby reducing latency.
3Productivity
If manual resource allocation is used in IoT networks, then device simplicity is maintained, but productivity and communication efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller automatically performs resource allocation, connection management, and protocol selection without requiring manual intervention or complex device-side resource management. Devices simply request communication services, and the controller handles all resource allocation tasks, maintaining device simplicity while improving communication efficiency through automated optimization.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method of reliable Internet-Of-Thing (IOT) communication across a plurality of IOT devices, involves identifying device information of a source-IOT-device upon synchronization of the source-IOT-device with a current NB-IOT eNB in an IOT network. Upon activating a first IOT application of the source-IOT-device, a check is made to determine that a first target-IOT-device is discoverable in the current NB-IOT eNB for establishing a first IOT session from the source-IOT-device to the target-IOT-device. A short-distance communication link or a NB-IOT communication link may be selected based on the device information of the source-IOT-device, the discoverability of the first target-IOT-device, and the first IOT application activated on the source-IOT-device. A Physical Resource Block (PRB) for a plurality of packets transmitted using the first communication link may be dynamically allocated based on a buffer occupancy associated with the first IOT application of the source-IOT-device.