Steerable Antenna Beam Polling for Dynamic Time Slot Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) methods in wireless communication systems are inefficient due to slow responsiveness in time slot allocation, leading to wasted time and inefficient bandwidth utilization, especially at high carrier frequencies like 60 GHz, where high signal loss occurs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a piconet controller with a directive polling mechanism that selectively directs a steerable antenna beam to each device in succession to receive and allocate time slots within the same superframe, allowing for dynamic allocation and immediate reservation of bandwidth based on device requests, thereby reducing allocation time and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional TDMA methods are used for time slot allocation, then the system structure is simple, but the responsiveness is slow and bandwidth utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a directive polling mechanism in advance that enables rapid time slot allocation. The piconet controller is pre-configured with polling capabilities that allow it to quickly respond to device requests without requiring complex real-time negotiations, thus improving responsiveness while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The polling mechanism is made dynamic by allowing the piconet controller to selectively direct antenna beams to different devices based on their requests. This dynamic allocation approach enables the system to adapt to varying traffic conditions and device needs, improving bandwidth utilization without requiring overly complex static structures.
2Productivity
If dynamic time slot allocation is implemented, then bandwidth utilization improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The time allocation mechanism is segmented into distinct phases: a polling phase where devices can request time slots, and a grant phase where the piconet controller allocates slots based on requests. This segmentation allows the system to achieve dynamic bandwidth allocation while keeping each phase's complexity manageable through clear separation of functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The piconet controller acts as an intermediary that mediates between device requests and time slot allocation. It receives requests from multiple devices, processes them according to system policies, and grants appropriate time slots. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system by centralizing the complex allocation logic in a single controller rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer negotiation mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If selective antenna beam direction is used for polling, then allocation precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna beam direction is optimized for local quality by directing beams specifically toward devices that have requested time slots during the polling phase. Rather than maintaining complex omnidirectional coverage, the system focuses antenna resources on specific devices when needed, improving identification accuracy while keeping antenna control complexity manageable through on-demand directional switching.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include systems and methods for allocating time to a plurality of devices in the network of a piconet controller. Embodiments comprise selectively directing a steerable antenna beam of the piconet controller to a plurality of devices in succession during a polling process to receive time allocation requests from one or more of the devices. Subsequent to the polling process, a grant procedure is performed wherein a device is granted permission to transmit in a subsequent time interval. Also during the grant process, one or more devices are instructed to receive from the device granted permission to transmit. The polling process and the grant process occur in the same superframe.