Secondary Interface for Remote Device Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication devices face challenges in initial configuration and management, particularly in systems like CBRS, where devices need authorization and configuration to use shared wireless resources, and there is a need for remote reconfiguration in case of faults without requiring human intervention at the device's location.
Innovation Solution
Equipping communication devices with a secondary wireless interface, such as LoRa or NB-IoT, that allows preconfiguration and remote management, enabling them to connect to a management system for initial setup and fault recovery without relying on the primary interface's activity or location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a communications device uses a primary communications interface for data transmission, then data communication capability is improved, but the device cannot be configured or managed remotely if the primary interface is faulty or unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secondary communications interface as an intermediary channel that enables remote configuration and management of the device when the primary interface is unavailable. This secondary interface acts as a mediator between the device and the network operations center, allowing configuration commands to be transmitted even when the primary data communication path is faulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-configured with secondary interface capabilities and credentials before deployment. This preliminary setup ensures that when the device is first activated or when the primary interface fails, the secondary interface is already ready to establish a communication path for configuration and management purposes without requiring on-site intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a device is deployed in remote locations without wired network connection, then deployment flexibility is improved, but the device cannot contact the management system for authorization and configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary communications interface serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between remotely deployed devices and the management system. It enables communication over alternative paths (such as cellular networks) when the primary wired or local wireless network is unavailable, ensuring that devices in remote locations can still receive authorization and configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is equipped with multiple communication interfaces that serve different functions: the primary interface for high-speed data transmission and the secondary interface for management and control communications. This multi-functionality ensures that the device can adapt to various deployment scenarios, including remote locations without wired network access.
3Manufacturing precision
If a device requires on-site technician intervention for configuration and fault recovery, then configuration accuracy is improved, but service downtime and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary communications interface enables continuous feedback between the device and the network operations center. When faults occur, the device can report status information through the secondary interface, and the operations center can send diagnostic and configuration commands, enabling remote troubleshooting and recovery without requiring on-site technician intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to accept and implement configuration commands remotely through the secondary interface. This self-service capability allows the device to reconfigure itself or recover from faults based on instructions received via the secondary communications path, eliminating the need for manual on-site configuration while maintaining accuracy through centralized control.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications device is equipped with a secondary interface, e.g., a wireless interface, in addition to a primary interface. In at least some, but not necessarily all, embodiments the secondary interface is an inexpensive Long Range (LoRa) wireless interface which uses sub-GHz unlicensed spectrum or a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) wireless interface which uses licensed spectrum. The secondary interface is in addition to a primary interface used for transmitting data, e.g., user data such as voice, video or text data, to a primary communications device, e.g., to support voice or data applications running on a user device. The secondary interface, e.g., a low power/low data rate interface, is used for communicating small amounts of data for initial configuration, fault recovery, re-initialization, and/or updates.