UWB-NB Channel Initialization for Faster IoT Device Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an efficient method to provide ultra-wide band (UWB) and narrow band (NB) communication services for device discovery and connection setup in IoT environments, particularly for applications like smart homes and smart cities, where accurate ranging and secure communication are essential.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize UWB and NB channels for message exchange, including broadcasting, receiving, and transmitting messages through initialization channels, utilizing a transceiver and controller to facilitate efficient connection setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If UWB communication is used for device discovery and connection setup, then ranging accuracy and security are improved, but communication efficiency and connection setup speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveranging accuracyVSAvoidconnection setup speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connection setup process into two distinct phases: initial device discovery and connection setup using NB channels, and subsequent secure communication using UWB channels. This segmentation allows the system to use NB channels for initial handshake (improving speed) and reserve UWB channels for actual secure communication (maintaining accuracy and security), thus resolving the contradiction between ranging accuracy and connection setup speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If UWB channels are used for all communication including initialization, then security is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different communication channels to different functional requirements: NB channels are used for initialization and device discovery where ultra-high security is not critical, while UWB channels are reserved for actual data communication where security is paramount. This localized allocation of security resources reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining security where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multiple channels are used for message exchange, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidchannel management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a channel selection mechanism that acts as an intermediary, automatically determining which channel (NB or UWB) should be used for each communication phase based on predefined criteria. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by providing clear channel assignment rules, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from managing multiple channels simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4694232A1Method and device for ultra wide band communication and narrowband communication
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4694232A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4694232A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4694232A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for operating an ultra wide band (UWB) channel and a narrowband (NB) channel together. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a method of a first UWB device may comprise the operations of: broadcasting, through an initialization channel, a first message (Adv Poll) that provides information used for the discovery of the first UWB device; receiving, through the initialization channel, from a second UWB device, a second message (Adv RESP) that responds to the first message (Adv Poll); and transmitting, through the initialization channel, to the second UWB device, a third message (Adv DEFERRED or Adv CONF) corresponding to the second message (Adv RESP). The initialization channel can include at least one from among NB channels.