Nested Receiver Detection for Overlapping Data Packets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication systems with shared channels experience data collisions and capture effects, leading to loss of information and reduced performance, especially in automatic meter reading systems where transmitters send data without regard for existing traffic, resulting in increased re-transmissions and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A receiver system with multiple detection levels monitors the communication channel for synchronization patterns, buffers data, and uses error-detecting codes like CRC to validate packets, distinguishing between overlapping messages and preventing capture effects by nested processing of incoming data packets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If transmitters send data without channel arbitration (ALOHA mode), then transmission simplicity and ease of operation are improved, but data collisions and information loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission simplicityVSAvoiddata collision rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver performs preliminary detection of synchronization patterns before fully processing packets. By detecting the presence of multiple packets in advance and buffering them separately, the system prevents data collisions before they occur, allowing multiple transmitters to operate in simple ALOHA mode without increasing collision rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the receiver processes only one packet at a time, then processing simplicity is improved, but overlapping packets cause capture effects and data loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidoverlapping packet loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver divides the incoming data stream into separate buffered queues based on detected synchronization patterns. Each detected packet is segmented into its own buffer with independent validation, allowing multiple overlapping packets to be processed separately rather than causing capture effects in a single-processing system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements nested detection levels where an outer detector identifies synchronization patterns and triggers inner detectors to validate specific packets. This nested structure allows the receiver to handle multiple overlapping packets by validating them through successive detection levels, preventing information loss while managing complexity systematically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If collision management uses re-transmission, then data reliability is improved, but channel clutter and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata delivery reliabilityVSAvoidtransmitter energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver acts as an intermediary by detecting and buffering overlapping packets before they cause collisions. By validating packets through multiple detection levels and identifying synchronization patterns, the receiver ensures successful data delivery without requiring re-transmissions, thereby reducing energy consumption in battery-powered transmitter networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9480033B2Managing overlapping messages in a network environment

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 ITRON INC

AI summary

A system and method manages a stream of data to receive a data packet among a set of potentially colliding data packets. The stream of data is monitored with a first detector level to recognize a potential first data packet having a bit sequence that matches a known bit sequence. In response to a recognition of a potential first data packet by the first detector level, the stream of data is monitored with a second detector level to recognize a potential second data packet having a bit sequence that matches a known bit sequence while the first detector level is engaged with the potential first data packet.