Negotiating Packet Transmission Duration to Mitigate Wireless Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

In TDMA-based wireless communication systems, especially those using ISM radio bands like Bluetooth, BLE, and BLR, overlapping frequency bands cause interference due to the lack of collision avoidance mechanisms, leading to degraded transmission and reception performance.

Innovation Solution

A communications apparatus with multiple radio modules negotiates a maximum and preferred packet transmission duration to mitigate interference by activating a protection scheme, such as sending a clear-to-send message to mute other devices during packet transmission, thereby optimizing packet transmission duration and reducing collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If TDMA-based wireless communication services operate in overlapping frequency bands without collision avoidance mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission performance and reliability degrade due to interference and packet collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication system complexityVSAvoidtransmission performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining the maximum packet transmission duration before actual packet transmission occurs. The communication apparatus negotiates and establishes the maximum duration parameter in advance, which then guides the transmission process to avoid collisions without requiring complex real-time collision avoidance mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If packet transmission duration is extended to improve data throughput, then productivity increases, but the probability of packet collisions and interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidpacket collision probability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically determining and negotiating the maximum packet transmission duration parameter. Instead of using fixed transmission durations, the system adjusts this parameter based on channel conditions and interference levels, optimizing the balance between throughput and collision probability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If maximum packet transmission duration is limited to reduce collisions, then reliability improves, but transmission efficiency and productivity may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket transmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the maximum packet transmission duration a negotiable and adaptable parameter rather than a fixed value. The communication apparatuses exchange information about their maximum durations and negotiate preferred durations, allowing the system to dynamically adjust transmission parameters to achieve both reliability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2997790B1Methods for packet transmission protection and communications apparatus utilizing the same
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP2997790B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2997790B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2997790B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communications apparatus includes a radio module providing a predetermined wireless communications service and communicating with a peer communications apparatus in a predetermined frequency band in compliance with a predetermined protocol. The radio module includes a processor. The processor determines a maximum packet transmission duration, transmits information regarding the maximum packet transmission duration to the peer communications apparatus and negotiates a preferred packet transmission duration with the peer communications apparatus.