Smart Factory Wireless Network Configuration for Unlicensed Spectrum Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring a wireless network in a smart factory using unlicensed spectrum faces challenges in maintaining quality and stability due to unpredictable channel access and interference, leading to potential degradation in communication performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine and configure operation parameters for wireless communication devices by considering factory equipment traffic, unlicensed frequency characteristics, and channel states, including channel access parameters, unlicensed bands, and client grouping, to optimize network configuration and improve stability and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If unlicensed spectrum is used to configure wireless network in smart factory, then cost for frequency use is reduced, but communication quality and stability deteriorate due to unpredictable channel access and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel access parameter adjustment based on real-time channel conditions and traffic characteristics. The system continuously monitors channel quality indicators (CQI) and adjusts parameters such as contention window size, transmission power, and modulation schemes to optimize performance under varying interference conditions, thereby maintaining reliability while using unlicensed spectrum
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical layer parameters including transmission power level, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), and channel access timing based on measured channel conditions. By adapting these parameters dynamically, the system compensates for the inherent instability of unlicensed spectrum while keeping operational costs low
2Device complexity
If unlicensed frequency channel access method is used without adaptive selection, then device complexity is reduced, but network stability deteriorates due to random channel access conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors channel access success rates, collision detection outcomes, and channel quality metrics. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts channel access parameters such as backoff algorithms and transmission timing to reduce conflicts and improve network stability without requiring complex centralized control
Solution Approach 2:
Each wireless device in the network autonomously adjusts its own channel access behavior based on local observations of channel conditions and collision patterns. Devices self-regulate their transmission timing and power levels, eliminating the need for complex external coordination while maintaining network stability through distributed intelligence
3Loss of time
If network parameters are configured without considering factory equipment characteristics and traffic patterns, then configuration time is reduced, but network performance deteriorates due to mismatched resource allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary classification of factory equipment into traffic categories (e.g., real-time control, bulk data transfer, periodic monitoring) and pre-configures appropriate channel access parameters and resource allocation policies for each category. This preliminary action enables rapid deployment while ensuring optimal performance for different equipment types without requiring time-consuming manual tuning
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different network parameter configurations tailored to specific equipment characteristics and traffic patterns. Instead of uniform configuration, each equipment type receives optimized parameters such as prioritized channel access for time-critical devices and relaxed parameters for non-critical data, thereby maximizing overall network performance while maintaining efficient configuration processes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method for determining network parameters. The method includes receiving factory equipment traffic information, unlicensed frequency characteristic information, and factory equipment characteristic information and determining network parameters by taking into account at least one of the factory equipment traffic information, the unlicensed frequency characteristic information, or the factory equipment characteristic information, or a combination thereof, and the network parameters may include at least one of channel access parameters, unlicensed bands/channels, or client grouping, or a combination thereof.