Single-Receiver Noise Detection for Rapid Channel Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices face challenges in efficiently detecting noise across multiple wireless protocols like Bluetooth and Zigbee using a single receive circuit, as they often miss transmissions due to fixed frequency scanning, leading to high power consumption and inefficient channel switching.
Innovation Solution
A noise detector system that uses a single receive circuit to quickly scan multiple frequency channels by counting frequency outliers within detection windows, adjusting thresholds based on data points, and switching channels when noise is detected, incorporating a sample counter, frequency comparator, and scheduler to optimize scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple receive circuits are used to monitor all frequency channels simultaneously, then all advertisements and packets can be captured, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple frequency channel monitoring functions into a single receive circuit by implementing a frequency hopping mechanism. The single circuit sequentially tunes to different frequencies (e.g., Bluetooth advertising channels at 2402 MHz, 2406 MHz, 2410 MHz and Zigbee channels) to capture packets from multiple protocols, replacing the need for multiple simultaneous receive circuits and thereby reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic frequency hopping where the single receive circuit systematically cycles through predetermined frequency channels in a periodic manner. This periodic action ensures that all channels are monitored over time while maintaining low power consumption, as the circuit remains inactive between tuning transitions rather than continuously monitoring all frequencies simultaneously.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a single receive circuit cycles at a fixed rate between frequencies, then power consumption is reduced, but transmissions on other frequency channels may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism using a noise detector that monitors the received signal on each frequency channel. When noise or a valid transmission is detected, the system receives feedback to adjust its behavior - either by extending the dwell time on that channel or by adapting the frequency hopping pattern. This feedback ensures that transmissions are not missed even when using a single circuit with variable timing, maintaining reliability while keeping power consumption low.
3Reliability
If the receive circuit dwells longer on each frequency channel, then transmission detection reliability improves, but the time to scan all channels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the dwell time on each frequency channel variable rather than fixed. The noise detector continuously monitors signal quality, and based on this monitoring, the system dynamically adjusts how long to remain on each channel. When noise or valid data is detected, the dwell time is extended to ensure complete packet reception. When channels are clear, the circuit quickly hops to the next frequency. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the balance between detection reliability and total scanning time.
Data Source
AI summary
A noise detector for use in a wireless network device is disclosed. The wireless network device may be used to scan a plurality of different frequency channels, which may be Bluetooth or Zigbee channels, for example. The noise detector is used to quickly detect the presence of noise on a frequency channel. This quick detection allows the wireless network device to switch to another frequency channel and continue scanning. In some embodiments, the noise detector uses a detection window and counts frequency outliers in that detection window to determine whether a valid signal is present on the wireless channel. The detection window may be fixed in duration, or may grow. Additionally, the detection window may be stationary or may be a sliding window.