VPANC Selection Controller for Li-Fi Dead Zone Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Li-Fi networks face challenges such as delay in channel scan, unnecessary power consumption, unsuitable selection of Visible Light Communication Personal Area Network Coordinators (VPANC), incomplete channel scans, poor channel quality affecting throughput, limited mobility, and connection drops due to dead zones between VPANs.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for selecting VPANCs in Li-Fi networks, where a controller creates and shares channel scan parameters and VPANC controlling parameters with each VPANC, enabling End User Devices (EUDs) to choose a new VPANC based on candidate lists with load, backhaul, and geo-location information, including dead zones, to ensure continuous service and avoid connection drops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If channel scan duration is increased to improve VPANC selection accuracy, then selection quality improves, but power consumption in EUD increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveVPANC selection qualityVSAvoidEUD power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller pre-calculates and provides channel scan parameters to multiple VPANCs in advance. This allows EUDs to perform scans more efficiently by using pre-configured parameters, reducing the need for prolonged scanning and thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining selection quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that collects VPANC information, creates optimized channel scan parameters, and distributes them to both VPANCs and EUDs. This intermediary role enables coordinated scanning that reduces redundant transmissions and lowers overall power consumption in the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If channel scan is performed more frequently to improve VPANC selection, then selection accuracy improves, but delay in channel scan increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveVPANC selection accuracyVSAvoidchannel scan delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Channel scan parameters are created and distributed in advance by the controller before EUDs need to perform scans. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for EUDs to spend time calculating parameters during the scanning process, reducing scan delay while maintaining accuracy through pre-optimized parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts channel scan parameters based on current network conditions. The controller monitors VPANC information and updates scan parameters adaptively, allowing the system to maintain high selection accuracy while minimizing scan time by using optimized parameters for current conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If EUD performs channel scan to select VPANC, then mobility is enabled, but connection drops occur due to dead zones between VPANCs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEUD mobilityVSAvoidconnection continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller creates distinct channel scan parameters for different VPANCs based on their specific characteristics and coverage areas. This local optimization allows EUDs to quickly identify suitable VPANCs in different locations, maintaining connection continuity during mobility by matching EUD position with appropriate VPANC coverage zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where VPANCs provide information about their coverage areas and current status to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to optimize channel scan parameters and guide EUDs toward appropriate VPANCs, preventing connection drops in dead zones by directing EUDs to VPANCs with active coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Use of energy by moving object

If incomplete channel scan is performed to reduce power consumption, then power saving improves, but VPANC selection quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEUD power consumptionVSAvoidVPANC selection quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller pre-configures channel scan parameters that are optimized for efficient scanning. These pre-configured parameters enable EUDs to perform scans more quickly and with less power consumption while still achieving complete coverage and maintaining high VPANC selection quality through pre-optimized scan sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3316636B1System and associated method for selecting visible light communication personal area network coordinator (VPANC)
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 WIPRO LTD
  • EP3316636B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3316636B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3316636B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A controller and associated method for selecting Visible light communication Personal Area Network Coordinators (VPANCs) is disclosed. The method includes creating, by the controller, channel scan parameters and VPANC controlling parameters for each of a plurality of VPANCs based on VPANC information received from each of the plurality of VPANCs, wherein VPANC controlling parameters created for a VPANC of the plurality of VPANCs are associated with VPANCs and dead zones neighboring the VPANC; and sharing, by the controller, channel scan parameters and VPANC controlling parameters associated with at least one VPANC of the plurality of VPANCs with each of the plurality of VPANCs, wherein sharing enables an End User Device (EUD) communicatively coupled to one of the plurality of VPANCs to select a new VPANC from the plurality of VPANCs.