Software Defined Radio Capability Discovery

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional software defined radio (SDR) systems are limited in their ability to determine the capabilities of a computing device to support various wireless protocols, often requiring specific hardware and inefficiently relying on hardware for radio communication, which can lead to increased complexity and resource usage.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for checking a computing device's hardware and software capabilities to determine if it supports a specific wireless protocol by comparing protocol requirements with system capabilities, and optionally generating test signals to verify compatibility, allowing for the extension of device functionality through software downloads and OS-driven configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wireless communication protocols are supported by separate hardware components, then protocol support capability is improved, but device complexity and resource usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol support capabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal hardware platform that can support multiple wireless communication protocols through software configuration rather than dedicated hardware for each protocol. The system uses a single set of hardware components (antenna, amplifier, mixer, local oscillator) that can be programmed via the operating system to implement different protocols such as IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, HiperLAN/2, and Bluetooth, thereby achieving multi-functionality without increasing hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/hardware-based protocol selection mechanism with a software-based system. Instead of physically switching between different hardware components for different protocols, the system uses the operating system to load and configure appropriate software modules that program the existing hardware to operate according to different protocol specifications, effectively substituting hardware diversity with software flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wireless communication protocols are supported by separate hardware components, then protocol support capability is improved, but power consumption and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol support capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal hardware platform that can support multiple wireless communication protocols through software configuration rather than dedicated hardware for each protocol. The system uses a single set of hardware components (antenna, amplifier, mixer, local oscillator) that can be programmed via the operating system to implement different protocols such as IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, HiperLAN/2, and Bluetooth, thereby achieving multi-functionality without increasing hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple protocol-specific hardware systems into a single integrated hardware platform. By combining all protocol support capabilities into one shared hardware system that is controlled through software, the patent eliminates the need for separate power supplies and physical components for each protocol, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to support multiple protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If hardware is used for each wireless communication protocol, then protocol implementation reliability is improved, but adaptability and efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol implementation reliabilityVSAvoidprotocol flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/hardware-based protocol selection mechanism with a software-based system. Instead of physically switching between different hardware components for different protocols, the system uses the operating system to load and configure appropriate software modules that program the existing hardware to operate according to different protocol specifications, effectively substituting hardware diversity with software flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic configurability to the hardware system through software control. The system can dynamically switch between different protocols by loading appropriate software modules and reconfiguring the hardware parameters via the operating system, allowing the same physical hardware to adapt its behavior to match different protocol requirements in real-time, thereby achieving both reliability and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2100436B1System capability discovery for software defined radio

Publication Date: 2018.01.17 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

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AI summary

Capability checking to examine a computing device's capabilities to determine if the device supports a software defined radio to communicate according to a specific wireless protocol. Applicants have appreciated that as the reliance on software defined radio increases, numerous potential options may be available to a user for performing wireless communication. Applicants have appreciated the desirability of providing the ability to discover the capabilities of a user's computer to determine whether it is capable of supporting one or more wireless protocols.