Communication Device Protocol Stack Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions require special hardware gateways to establish communication sessions between devices with incompatible protocol stacks, leading to increased latency and costs due to the need for complex protocol translation.

Innovation Solution

A method where communication devices dynamically reconfigure their protocol stacks to match compatible stacks supported by peer devices, using Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology, allowing direct communication without the need for intermediate translation gateways.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If protocol translation gateways are used to enable communication between devices with incompatible protocol stacks, then communication compatibility is improved, but device complexity and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication compatibilityVSAvoidgateway complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the protocol stack reconfigurable rather than static. Devices can dynamically switch between different protocol stacks (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee) based on the communication needs, eliminating the requirement for complex fixed-function gateways. The base station reconfigures the protocol stack of communication devices according to the target device type, enabling adaptability without additional hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing a multi-functional communication device that can operate with multiple protocol stacks. A single device can function as WiFi communicator, Bluetooth communicator, or Zigbee communicator by reconfiguring its protocol stack, replacing the need for multiple specialized devices or complex gateways. The base station manages this multi-functionality by selecting appropriate protocol configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If protocol translation gateways are deployed to bridge incompatible protocol stacks, then communication compatibility is improved, but communication latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol interoperabilityVSAvoidcommunication latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the protocol translation function from intermediate gateways and integrates it directly into the base station and communication devices. By removing the gateway intermediate node, the protocol reconfiguration happens end-to-end between the base station and the communication device, eliminating the additional translation hops that cause latency. The base station directly reconfigures the device's protocol stack without requiring gateway mediation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If special hardware gateways are used for protocol translation, then communication between incompatible devices is enabled, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice interoperabilityVSAvoidoperational costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling communication devices to reconfigure their own protocol stacks autonomously based on instructions from the base station. Instead of requiring externally managed gateways that consume operational resources, each communication device independently adapts its protocol configuration to match the target device, eliminating ongoing gateway maintenance and operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple protocol stacks are supported in communication devices, then adaptability to different devices is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol stack compatibilityVSAvoidprotocol configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the base station as an intermediary to manage protocol stack complexity. Instead of requiring each communication device to independently handle multiple protocol configurations, the base station acts as a controller that selects and configures the appropriate protocol stack for each communication scenario. This centralizes the complexity management, keeping individual communication devices simpler while maintaining overall system adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10742495B2Communication device, gateway node and methods for preparing a point-to-point session

Publication Date: 2020.08.11 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method performed by a first communication device, for preparing a point-to-point, Pt2Pt, session with a second communication device is provided. The first communication device receives (202) from the second communication device, information about one or more communication protocol stacks that are supported by the second communication device for use in the Pt2Pt session. The first communication device obtains (208) a first communication protocol stack that is compatible with at least one out of the one or more protocol stacks that are supported by the second communication device. The first communication protocol stack will be used in the Pt2Pt session with the second communication device. The first communication device then re-configures (209) the first communication device to use the first communication protocol stack in the Pt2Pt session, and sends (210) a message to the second communication device. The message comprises information about said compatible first communication protocol stack which is to be used in the Pt2Pt session.