Relay Host Device for Bluetooth Low Power Sensor Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low power Bluetooth end-point devices face significant burden due to the need for frequent connection and disconnection with host devices, which consumes energy and resources, especially in applications like medical and fitness monitoring where continuous data transfer is required.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a relay node system where a relay host device pairs with a target host device to acquire and use link security information to establish a connection with a low power sensor device, allowing content to be relayed between the target host and sensor devices without direct linking, thereby reducing the energy burden on the sensor device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct connection and disconnection between sensor device and target host device is implemented for continuous data transfer, then data transfer reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A relay host device is introduced as an intermediary between the sensor device and target host device. The relay host maintains a persistent connection with the sensor device, eliminating the need for the sensor device to repeatedly connect and disconnect with the target host. This mediator approach allows data to be transferred reliably while the sensor device consumes less energy, as it only needs to maintain one stable connection rather than repeatedly establishing connections with the target host.
2Reliability
If frequent bonding procedures are performed between sensor device and target host device, then connection reliability is improved, but operational duration decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay host device performs bonding procedures in advance with the sensor device during an initial pairing phase. This preliminary bonding action establishes a secure, persistent connection that does not require repeated bonding procedures. The relay host then maintains this pre-established connection, allowing the sensor device to operate for extended periods without needing to repeatedly perform energy-intensive bonding operations with the target host device.
3Speed
If direct communication link is maintained between sensor device and target host device, then data transfer speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into two independent communication links: one between the relay host and sensor device, and another between the relay host and target host device. This segmentation allows each link to be optimized independently. The relay host acts as a data forwarding station, receiving data from the sensor device and transmitting it to the target host device, thereby maintaining efficient data transfer speeds while reducing the complexity burden on the low-power sensor device.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay host wireless device is paired with a target host wireless device over a secure link. The relay host wireless device is operable to acquire link security information, which is associated with a link between the target host wireless device and a wireless end-point device, from the target host wireless device. The relay host wireless device is enabled to establish a link with the target host wireless device by faking its identity as an assumed identity of the target host wireless device. The acquired link security information is applied to the established link. The relay host wireless device is enabled to relay content between the target host wireless device and the wireless end-point device via the established fake link using said assumed identity of the target host wireless device and the secure link between the relay host wireless device and the target host wireless device, successively.