Synchronous Channel Timing via Pulse Division Multiple Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in providing robust and flexible media access control for devices with varying power consumption and data rate requirements, particularly in personal area networks and body area networks, where traditional methods struggle to efficiently manage synchronous channel timing and resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for implementing synchronous channel timing, which includes establishing a session time interval and defining multiple channels using pulse division multiple access (PDMA) to enable concurrent and independent operation of channels, reducing interference and supporting diverse data types and rates without the need for centralized coordination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional periodic slot assignments are used for synchronous channel timing, then devices can be synchronized to align with slotted or super frame structures, but the system lacks flexibility to support devices with significantly different power consumption and data rate requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility to support diverse device requirementsVSAvoidsystem complexity for managing varied requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication channel into multiple independent PDMA channels, each capable of operating autonomously with its own timing and data rate characteristics. This allows the system to support diverse device requirements by assigning devices to appropriate channels rather than forcing all devices into a single periodic slot structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic channel establishment and teardown procedures that allow the system to adapt to varying device requirements in real-time. Channels can be created, modified, or removed based on current network conditions and device needs, providing flexibility without requiring complete system reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices with different data rates are supported in the same network, then the access scheme becomes more versatile, but managing resource allocation and timing synchronization becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for wide range of data ratesVSAvoidresource allocation management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the network into multiple PDMA channels, each handling specific data rate requirements. This segmentation allows different devices with varying data rates to operate independently on different channels, simplifying resource allocation management compared to trying to accommodate all devices in a single channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces channel coordinators that manage resource allocation and timing synchronization for each PDMA channel independently. These intermediaries handle the complexity of managing diverse data rates within each channel, reducing the overall system complexity by localizing management tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If devices transmit data in assigned periodic slots, then synchronous channel timing is maintained, but power consumption increases for devices that must remain active to monitor and transmit in their assigned slots

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronous channel timingVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic PDMA channel operations where devices only need to be active during their assigned channel time intervals rather than continuously monitoring all periodic slots. This periodic activation pattern maintains synchronous timing reliability while significantly reducing power consumption for devices with intermittent data transmission needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic channel activation and deactivation that allows devices to enter low-power states when their PDMA channels are not active. The synchronous timing is maintained through coordinated channel scheduling, allowing devices to power down between channel intervals while preserving timing synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If a centralized coordination mechanism is used to manage channel assignments, then timing synchronization is easier to maintain, but the system becomes less scalable and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming synchronizationVSAvoidcentralized coordination overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized coordination function into distributed channel coordinators, each responsible for managing a specific PDMA channel. This segmentation maintains timing synchronization within each channel while reducing the coordination overhead compared to a single centralized entity managing all channels, improving scalability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the coordination structure, with channel coordinators managing individual channels and higher-level protocols handling inter-channel coordination. This dimensional separation allows timing synchronization to be maintained at the channel level independently, reducing the complexity burden on any single coordination point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2359515B1System and method to implement synchronous channel timing in a wireless communications network
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2359515B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2359515B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2359515B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method to implement synchronous channel timing are disclosed. The method comprises establishing a session time interval. In addition, the method comprises establishing a first time interval within the session time interval for transmitting a first data packet.