Wireless Sensor Network Discovery via Dynamic Inactive Periods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for discovering neighboring wireless sensor networks in WBANs are inefficient and disrupt operational networks, as they primarily focus on initiating devices finding existing networks rather than operational networks discovering each other without interrupting transmissions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves altering the temporal lengths of inactive periods in the data channel of an operational WBAN network to search for beacons of neighboring networks during subsequent inactive periods, allowing for uninterrupted discovery and reporting of discovered networks to higher layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a new device initializes and attempts to discover an existing network using conventional mechanisms, then the discovery process can be completed, but the operation of the existing network is interrupted or disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the inactive period duration variable rather than fixed. The discovering network alternates the length of its inactive periods (e.g., between 10ms and 20ms) to create a dynamic scanning pattern. This dynamic approach allows the discovering network to increase its scanning probability during variable intervals without imposing a fixed, disruptive pattern on the existing network, thereby maintaining network operation continuity while achieving discovery accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the alternating inactive period mechanism. The discovering network periodically switches between different inactive period lengths in a systematic pattern. This periodic variation allows the discovering network to repeatedly scan for beacons at different time intervals, ensuring discovery can occur without requiring continuous disruption of the existing network's periodic transmissions.
2Productivity
If the discovering network uses fixed inactive period lengths for scanning, then the scanning process is simple to implement, but the discovery efficiency is reduced due to missed beacons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the inactive period duration parameter during the scanning process. Instead of using a single fixed value, the system changes the inactive period parameter between different values (e.g., alternating between 10ms and 20ms). This parameter variation increases discovery efficiency by capturing beacons that might be missed with fixed intervals, while the complexity remains manageable through the use of simple alternating patterns rather than complex adaptive algorithms.
3Measurement precision
If the discovering network continuously monitors for beacons, then no beacons are missed, but excessive energy is consumed and network resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using alternating inactive periods instead of continuous monitoring. The discovering network performs scanning during specific alternating inactive periods rather than continuously. This partial scanning approach consumes less energy than continuous monitoring while still achieving adequate detection completeness through the periodic sampling of beacon transmissions at varying intervals.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a method and a system for discovering a neighbouring network by an already operational network. The networks comprise a control channel (CCH) and a data channel (DCH), both comprising a beacon to be transmitted, respectively. The channels are predetermined and beacon formats of their control channels (CCH) are known, and an inter-beacon-interval of the data channel (DCH) of the already operational network comprises an active period (202) followed by an inactive period (203, 204). The present invention is characterized in that the temporal lengths of the inactive periods (203, 204) are changed (102) in the data channel (DCH) of the already operational network. Furthermore, the method is configured to search (105) for a beacon (205i) of a predetermined control channel (CCH) of a neighbouring network during subsequent inactive periods (203, 204) of the already operational network.