Receiver-Determined Probe for Home Network Channel Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of home networks with increasing devices and services leads to network problems, requiring on-site technician diagnosis, and existing channel assessment probes lack flexibility in characterizing communication channels.
Innovation Solution
Nodes on the network are programmed to generate probes in response to requests from receiving nodes, specifying parameters such as modulation profile, payload content, and transmit power, allowing the receiving node to dictate the probe's form and characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a transmitting node sends a predetermined probe, then the receiving node can determine channel characteristics by comparing with the known reference signal, but the flexibility of the characterization process is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional probe generation approach by having the receiving node (instead of transmitting node) determine and specify the probe parameters. The receiving node generates a probe request message containing desired probe characteristics, which the transmitting node then uses to generate the actual probe. This inversion allows the node that needs the probe most (the receiver) to control its form and content, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving node performs preliminary action by specifying the probe parameters in advance through a probe request message before the actual probe transmission occurs. This allows the receiving node to pre-determine the exact form and characteristics of the probe it needs for accurate channel characterization, while the transmitting node prepares the probe accordingly before transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of devices and services in a home network increases, then more subscriber services are available, but the complexity of coordinating communication between network nodes increases and network problems become more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling network nodes to autonomously generate and manage probe requests without requiring external technician intervention. The receiving node automatically determines its channel characterization needs, formulates probe requests with appropriate parameters, and processes the received probes to extract channel information. This automation reduces the operational complexity of managing networks with numerous devices and services.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe request message format is designed to accommodate various network conditions and service requirements through configurable parameters. The system can adjust probe characteristics (such as modulation profile, payload content, number of transmissions, symbols, preamble type, cyclic-prefix length, transmit power, and power scaling factor) based on the specific network environment and service needs, allowing the network to adapt to increased complexity without requiring fundamental changes to the probe mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If a receiving node specifies multiple parameters for probe generation, then the flexibility and accuracy of channel characterization is enhanced, but the complexity of probe request processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the probe characterization process into distinct functional components: the receiving node generates a probe request message with specific parameters, the transmitting node processes this request to generate the appropriate probe, and the receiving node analyzes the probe results. This segmentation allows each node to handle only its designated tasks, reducing the processing complexity at each individual node while maintaining overall system accuracy and flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, nodes on a network are programmed to generate a probe transmission in response to a request from the node that will be receiving the probe. The receiving node may generate a probe request that specifies a plurality of parameters, such as a modulation profile for the probe; the payload content of the probe; the number of times to transmit the probe; a number of symbols for the payload of the probe; a preamble type for the probe; a cyclic-prefix length for the payload of the probe; a transmit power for the probe; and a transmit power scaling factor for the payload of the probe.