Predetermined-Channel Network Discovery for Low-Power IoT

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Solution Overview

Problem

Frequency scanning for network discovery consumes a significant amount of power, posing a challenge for devices with limited power resources, such as ambient power-enabled IoT devices.

Innovation Solution

A method where a first device transmits a discovery request on a predetermined channel to receive network deployment information from a second device, allowing the first device to quickly discover the network without scanning each channel, thereby reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If frequency scanning is performed to discover the network device, then the terminal device can discover the network device, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork discovery capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network device performs preliminary actions by actively transmitting discovery announcement signals on predetermined channels before the terminal device needs to discover it. This allows the terminal device to passively receive and process these pre-transmitted signals, eliminating the need for power-intensive frequency scanning while maintaining reliable network discovery capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If exhaustive frequency scanning is performed to ensure complete network discovery, then all network devices can be discovered, but the time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork discovery completenessVSAvoiddiscovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Network devices transmit discovery announcement signals in advance on predetermined channels, so when terminal devices need to discover networks, the information is already available. This eliminates the need for time-consuming exhaustive scanning while ensuring complete network discovery, as the pre-transmitted signals contain all necessary network deployment information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Discovery announcement signals act as intermediaries that carry network deployment information from network devices to terminal devices. These signals serve as a mediator that enables efficient information transfer without requiring direct active scanning interactions, thereby reducing discovery time while maintaining completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If the terminal device actively scans multiple frequencies to find the network, then comprehensive network information can be obtained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork information completenessVSAvoidscanning mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the terminal device actively scanning multiple frequencies to find network devices, the approach is inverted: network devices actively transmit discovery announcement signals on predetermined channels, and terminal devices passively receive these signals. This inversion simplifies the terminal device's scanning mechanism while ensuring comprehensive network information is obtained through the pre-transmitted announcement signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20260113692A1Network discovery method, first device and second device

Publication Date: 2026.04.23 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD

AI summary

A network discovery method includes: a first device transmits a discovery request on a first channel. The discovery request is used for indicating or requesting a second device on the first channel to transmit discovery request response information, and the discovery request response information includes network deployment information.