Overlay Protocol for Wireless PAN Co-existence with WLAN
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of different technologies for WLAN and wireless PAN connectivity increases cost, weight, and power usage, and can impair a seamless user experience, particularly due to interference between independent LANs and PANs sharing a common frequency band, and the power sensitivity of PAN nodes which cannot support typical WLAN wireless circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A secondary wireless network operates using an overlay protocol that enhances co-existence with a primary network, such as an 802.11x network, allowing devices to communicate without interference by using a common network interface circuit and coordinating the usage of the wireless medium, with features like reduced latency and power conservation, and the ability to maintain sessions with both networks simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate wireless circuitry is used for WLAN and wireless PAN, then network functionality is provided, but cost, weight, and power usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal wireless circuit that can operate with multiple network types (WLAN and wireless PAN) by using a common physical layer and medium access control layer. The convergence layer enables the same hardware to support different network protocols and requirements, eliminating the need for separate wireless circuitry for each network type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges WLAN and wireless PAN functionalities into a single integrated wireless interface. By combining the physical layer and MAC layer operations and allowing the convergence layer to handle multiple protocol requirements, the system reduces hardware complexity and power consumption while maintaining support for both network types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate wireless circuitry is used for WLAN and wireless PAN, then network functionality is provided, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal wireless circuit that can operate with multiple network types (WLAN and wireless PAN) by using a common physical layer and medium access control layer. The convergence layer enables the same hardware to support different network protocols and requirements, eliminating the need for separate wireless circuitry for each network type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges WLAN and wireless PAN functionalities into a single integrated wireless interface. By combining the physical layer and MAC layer operations and allowing the convergence layer to handle multiple protocol requirements, the system reduces hardware complexity and power consumption while maintaining support for both network types.
3Ease of operation
If independent LANs and PANs operate in the same frequency band, then wireless communication is enabled, but interference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The convergence layer acts as an intermediary between the MAC layer and upper protocol layers. It manages the coordination between WLAN and wireless PAN operations, implementing medium access coordination mechanisms that allow both networks to share the same frequency band while minimizing interference through controlled access and timing synchronization.
4Adaptability or versatility
If PAN nodes use typical WLAN wireless circuitry, then network connectivity is achieved, but power sensitivity constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different operational characteristics to different layers of the protocol stack. The physical layer and MAC layer use common operations optimized for power efficiency, while the convergence layer adapts to specific network requirements. This allows PAN nodes to achieve WLAN connectivity while maintaining power consumption levels appropriate for power-sensitive devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device is interfaced with other devices in a wireless personal area network (PAN) to enhance co-existence with a wireless local area network (WLAN). The computing device coordinates activity of the wireless PAN as a coordinator for the wireless PAN, including communicating with the wireless PAN devices using an overlay protocol that is only partially compliant with the protocol used over the WLAN but enables co-existence. WLAN devices can, upon hearing an overlay protocol frame, understand at least enough of the overlay protocol frame to defer use of a common wireless networking medium. If the PAN coordinator is capable of associating with the WLAN, it can be a dual-network device capable of associating with the WLAN and PAN simultaneously. The dual-network device can use a common network module to handle both WLAN and PAN traffic, communicate with a WLAN device in ad hoc mode and enable power saving.