Single Radio Asynchronous Synchronous Wireless Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IEEE 802.15.4 implementations cannot operate a single network across both 2.4 GHz and sub-1 GHz RF bands with a single radio, leading to higher costs or reduced quality of service due to the need for two radios or time sharing between spectrums, and face challenges in maintaining legacy operation and compliance with regulatory duty cycling requirements.
Innovation Solution
A router and method that utilize a single radio for asynchronous and synchronous communications by switching between 2.4 GHz and sub-1 GHz bands, employing Coordinated Sampled Listening (CSL) for synchronous operations in sub-1 GHz to enable simultaneous operation in both bands while maintaining legacy 2.4 GHz operation and adhering to regulatory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two radios are used to operate in both 2.4 GHz and sub-1 GHz bands, then communication capability in both bands is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the operation of two separate radios into a single radio by implementing a time-division multiplexing architecture where one radio alternates between 2.4 GHz asynchronous operations and sub-1 GHz synchronous operations, eliminating the need for dual radio hardware while maintaining both communication capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The single radio is designed to perform multiple functions by operating in different frequency bands at different times - serving as both a 2.4 GHz PAN coordinator for legacy devices and a sub-1 GHz PAN coordinator for duty-cycled devices, making the radio universal rather than specialized for a single band
2Device complexity
If time sharing between 2.4 GHz and sub-1 GHz spectrums is implemented, then device cost is reduced, but quality of service deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by dividing time into distinct intervals - asynchronous time intervals for 2.4 GHz operations and synchronous time intervals for sub-1 GHz operations - allowing the radio to systematically alternate between bands with guaranteed service periods for each type of device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operation into two distinct modes: asynchronous mode for 2.4 GHz legacy devices and synchronous mode for sub-1 GHz duty-cycled devices, with each mode having its own time intervals and communication protocols, allowing independent optimization of each segment
3Adaptability or versatility
If duty cycling is enforced for sub-1 GHz operation, then regulatory compliance is improved, but communication reliability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary synchronous mode that acts as a mediator between the duty-cycled end devices operating in sub-1 GHz and the asynchronous 2.4 GHz network, allowing duty-cycled devices to communicate reliably during their active periods while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods to provide simultaneous asynchronous and synchronous wireless communications, wherein communications with at least one wireless device are established using an asynchronous operation mode utilizing a first frequency band of a single radio device; and, the asynchronous operation mode is interrupted at periodic intervals to establish a synchronous operation mode utilizing a second frequency band of the single radio device, wherein the synchronous operation mode comprises: during a first of the periodic intervals, advertising at least a first of a plurality of available communication slots and listening for a slot petition from at least one end device; and, if a petition is received from at least one end device, assigning one of the plurality of available communication slots to each end device from which a petition was received, wherein each slot utilizes Coordinated Sampled Listening for both uplink and downlink communications with an assigned end device.