Dynamically Reconfigurable Radio Air Interface for Mesh and Wide Area Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and network complexity for low-power devices that need to communicate over both wide area networks and mesh networks, particularly in scenarios where devices have insufficient power to directly access wide area networks.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically reconfigurable radio air interface that operates using Resource-Spread Multiple Access (RSMA) technology, allowing devices to switch between single-carrier and OFDM modes of operation based on the communication mode, thereby optimizing power levels and resource allocation for efficient communication over both licensed wireless access networks and unlicensed mesh networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If low-power devices transmit at high power levels to access wide area networks, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but power consumption increases beyond device capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The network access function is segmented into two distinct modes: RSMA mode for wide area network access using time-domain spreading, and OFDMA mode for mesh network communication using frequency-domain spreading. This segmentation allows the device to select the appropriate mode based on power availability and network requirements, enabling WAN access at lower power levels while maintaining connectivity reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spreading domain parameter from frequency-domain (OFDMA) to time-domain (RSMA) when transitioning from mesh network to wide area network communication. This parameter change enables the device to achieve broader coverage and more reliable connectivity without requiring high transmit power, as time-domain spreading provides better robustness for long-range communication
2Reliability
If devices use separate radio interfaces for wide area networks and mesh networks, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single radio interface is designed to perform multiple functions by supporting both RSMA and OFDMA modes. The radio can dynamically switch between time-domain spreading for WAN access and frequency-domain spreading for mesh communication, eliminating the need for separate dedicated radio interfaces while maintaining communication reliability for both network types
Solution Approach 2:
The radio interface is made dynamically reconfigurable, allowing it to switch between different operating modes (RSMA and OFDMA) based on communication requirements. This dynamic capability enables one radio to replace multiple static radios, reducing device complexity while preserving the reliability benefits of specialized interfaces for each network type
3Ease of operation
If low-power devices transmit in unlicensed spectrum without coordination, then mesh network communication is simplified, but interference with wide area networks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous monitoring and coordination with the WAN network while operating in mesh mode. The device continuously checks for WAN transmissions and adjusts its mesh communication timing accordingly, ensuring uninterrupted useful action in both networks while preventing harmful interference through ongoing coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses feedback from WAN network detections to dynamically adjust its OFDMA mesh transmission behavior. When WAN activity is detected, the device receives feedback to pause or adjust mesh transmissions, preventing interference while maintaining simplified mesh operation through automatic adaptive control
Data Source
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AI summary
A pparatus, method and computer program for wireless communication are provided. The method f or wireless communication performed by an apparatus configured for wireless communication having a radio frequency transceiver, comprises encoding data in an encoded data stream in accordance with a single-carrier multiple access technology; modulating the encoded data stream over frequency-domain resources using orthogonal frequency division multiplex , OFDM, modulation to obtain an OFDM modulated data stream; and selecting between the encoded data stream and the OFDM modulated data stream to provide an input to a radio frequency transceiver, wherein the encoded data stream is selected when the apparatus is communicating with a remote network entity, the encoded data stream being spread over time-domain resources, and wherein the OFDM modulated data stream is selected when the apparatus is transmitting to a device coupled to a mesh network.