Wideband Network Scanning via Dynamic Thread Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for wideband network scanning and spectral analysis are inefficient in rapidly detecting active channels across various frequency bands and technologies, leading to high power consumption and prolonged survey times.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained network sensor with a scheduler and processing threads that dynamically manage RF detection and decoding, utilizing parallel processing and power optimization to rapidly identify active channels across a wide range of frequencies, from 70 MHz to 6 GHz, and configure user interfaces for efficient data transfer and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods are used for wideband network scanning, then detection coverage across frequency bands is achieved, but power consumption increases and survey time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wideband scanning task into multiple frequency bands and further divides each band into channels that can be processed in parallel by multiple threads. The scheduler allocates different frequency bands to different processing threads, enabling simultaneous detection across bands while managing power consumption through selective activation of processing units based on detected signal strengths.
2Measurement precision
If conventional methods are used for wideband network scanning, then detection coverage across frequency bands is achieved, but survey time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wideband scanning task into multiple frequency bands and further divides each band into channels that can be processed in parallel by multiple threads. The scheduler allocates different frequency bands to different processing threads, enabling simultaneous detection across bands while managing power consumption through selective activation of processing units based on detected signal strengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of signal presence across frequency bands before conducting full channel decoding. The scheduler identifies candidate channels with detectable signals and prioritizes them for detailed analysis, while skipping or reducing analysis of channels with no detected signals. This preliminary filtering action significantly reduces the total survey time by avoiding unnecessary processing of empty channels.
3Productivity
If rapid detection of active channels is implemented, then survey time is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the processing depth and resource allocation adapt based on detected signal characteristics. For channels with weak or no signals, the system performs minimal detection and skips detailed decoding. For channels with strong signals, the system allocates more processing resources. The scheduler dynamically adjusts the number of active processing threads and their power consumption levels based on the current scanning state and detected signal strengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing quality levels to different frequency bands and channels based on local conditions. Channels with detected signals receive full processing attention with multiple threads and detailed decoding, while channels without signals receive minimal processing. This local quality differentiation enables rapid survey of the entire band structure while concentrating power consumption only where necessary for actual detection.
Data Source
AI summary
Fast network scanning is enabled by an accessory for a mobile phone. The accessory captures a wideband spectrum via a software defined radio that is independent of the mobile phone itself. The accessory consumes less than 3 W while verifying multiple base stations, of various standards, in an area. To achieve such a low power consumption, the accessory dynamically controls frequency, gain and bandwidth according to a prioritization of processing threads and a target scanning speed.