Timeslot Scheduling for 60 GHz Interference Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The IEEE 802.11ad standard for 60 GHz millimeter-wave technology does not provide a scheduling algorithm to avoid co-channel interference between networks, leading to reduced data throughput due to interference between links in wireless communications systems.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that acquire complete interference information about all links in a network, identifying both interfering and interfered-with parties, to schedule timeslots in a way that avoids interference between networks, utilizing modules for interference information acquisition and scheduling to optimize timeslot allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If frequency multiplexing technology is used to support multiple networks in the same frequency band, then the quantity of networks supported increases, but co-channel interference occurs between networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of networks supportedVSAvoidco-channel interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the time domain into distinct timeslots and assigns different networks to different timeslots on the same frequency channel. This temporal segmentation allows multiple networks to share the same frequency band without simultaneous transmission, thereby eliminating co-channel interference while supporting multiple networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic timeslot scheduling where the PCP continuously adjusts and optimizes timeslot allocations based on current network conditions, traffic demands, and interference patterns. This dynamic approach allows the system to adaptively manage multiple networks in the same frequency band while minimizing interference through real-time reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If timeslot scheduling is performed without interference information, then scheduling complexity is reduced, but interference between links of different networks cannot be avoided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling complexityVSAvoidinter-network link interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by having the PCP acquire complete interference information about all links in the network before performing timeslot scheduling. This advance knowledge of interference patterns allows the scheduler to make informed decisions and avoid allocating overlapping timeslots to interfering links, thereby preventing inter-network interference while maintaining manageable scheduling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the PCP continuously monitors and updates interference information from all network links. This feedback loop enables the scheduling algorithm to adapt to changing interference conditions and optimize timeslot allocations dynamically, ensuring that interference is avoided while maintaining efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3079424B1Timeslot scheduling apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3079424B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3079424B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3079424B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method for scheduling a timeslot. The apparatus includes: a first acquiring module, configured to acquire first interference information, where the first interference information is used to determine whether a link of a first basic service set BSS experiences interference from a link of at least one second BSS; a second acquiring module, configured to acquire second interference information, where the second interference information is used to determine whether a link of the at least one second BSS experiences interference from a link of the first BSS; a third acquiring module, configured to acquire timeslot scheduling information of a link of the at least one second BSS, where the timeslot scheduling information is used to indicate information about a scheduled timeslot of the link of the at least one second BSS; and a scheduling module, configured to schedule a timeslot for a link of the first BSS according to the first interference information, the second interference information, and the timeslot scheduling information. According to the apparatus and the method for scheduling a timeslot in embodiments of the present invention, interference to a link of another network can be avoided actively, and a timeslot can be scheduled properly.