Super-frame realignment for WBAN interoperability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current IEEE and ETSI standards for Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) do not provide a solution for super-frame realignment, which is necessary for enabling uninterrupted data communications between networks, and existing mechanisms focus on improving channel resource utilization rather than aligning individual networks for inter-network communications.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism for super-frame realignment that adjusts the inter-beacon interval (IBI) of one network to match an integer multiple of another network's IBI, allowing for inter-wireless network communications without forming a parent-child hierarchy, and enabling data exchanges between networks operating on the same or different radio channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If super-frame realignment is implemented to enable inter-network communications, then interoperability between WBANs is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for IBI adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the IBI parameter of the own network to match an integer multiple of the target network's IBI. This parameter adjustment enables super-frame alignment between networks with different IBI values, allowing interoperability without requiring complex protocol modifications or hierarchical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the IBI of the own network based on the detected IBI of the target network. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different network conditions and target networks, achieving flexible inter-network communication while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Reliability
If IBI is adjusted to align with another network, then uninterrupted data communications are enabled, but loss of time occurs during the realignment process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of the target network's IBI before initiating realignment. By detecting the target IBI in advance and calculating the appropriate adjustment, the system minimizes realignment time and ensures seamless transition to aligned super-frames without interruption to data communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the periodic nature of super-frames and IBIs to achieve alignment. By adjusting the own network's IBI to an integer multiple of the target network's IBI, the system creates synchronized periodic cycles that enable continuous, uninterrupted communications while minimizing realignment overhead.
3Adaptability or versatility
If super-frame realignment is performed to enable inter-network communications, then adaptability between networks is improved, but device complexity increases due to detection and allocation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service detection where the own network autonomously detects the IBI of the target network and performs self-adjustment of its own IBI. This eliminates the need for complex negotiation protocols or centralized coordination, reducing device complexity while maintaining high adaptability for inter-network communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the IBI parameter based on detected target network characteristics. By adjusting the own IBI to match an integer multiple of the target IBI, the system achieves network alignment with simple parameter modification rather than complex structural changes, maintaining low device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method and a system for super-frame realignment to enable inter-wireless network communications. The networks can be Wireless Body Area Networks. In the present invention, it is checked whether the inter-beacon interval (IBI) of the data channel of the own network is of shorter or longer duration than the IBI of the data channel of the target network, and if the IBI of the data channel of the own network does not have exactly the same duration as the IBI of the data channel of the target network, the own network allocates its own inactive (304) and/or active periods so that an integer multiple of its forthcoming IBI will correspond to the IBI of the target network, or the forthcoming IBI of the own network will correspond to an integer multiple of the IBI of the target network.