WBAN Node Active Time Reconfiguration for Relay Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless body area networks (WBANs) following the IEEE 802.15.6 standard, nodes often face challenges in selecting relay nodes due to differing active time positions, leading to energy inefficiency and reduced network lifespan as only nodes with the same active time can act as relays, limiting communication and increasing energy consumption for selected relay nodes.

Innovation Solution

A method where a node receives information about the active time position of candidate relay nodes, changes its operational state, and reconfigures its active time to match that of a candidate relay node upon receiving a connection assignment signal, allowing communication through a relay node even if initially inactive, thereby enabling nodes with different active times to participate as relays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nodes select relay nodes only from those with the same active time, then communication reliability is improved, but network adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by allowing nodes to dynamically adjust their active time positions based on relay node selection needs. Nodes can change their active time from a fixed schedule to a flexible, adaptive schedule that matches the relay node's active time, enabling dynamic adaptation while maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of active time position from a fixed value to a reconfigurable parameter. Nodes receive information about candidate relay nodes' active time positions and reconfigure their own active time position to match, allowing the system to adapt to different network conditions and node configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If nodes with different active times can act as relays, then network adaptability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork adaptabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having nodes proactively reconfigure their active time position before needing to communicate with the relay node. By pre-adjusting the active time position to match the relay node, nodes avoid energy-consuming operations during inactive periods and ensure communication can occur without additional energy expenditure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by having nodes autonomously adjust their own active time positions based on information about relay nodes. Each node independently determines the appropriate active time position and reconfigures itself, eliminating the need for energy-consuming coordination protocols or centralized control adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If nodes reconfigure active time position to match relay node, then communication coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by having nodes receive information about candidate relay nodes' active time positions and use this feedback to adjust their own active time positions. This feedback mechanism enables nodes to automatically align with relay nodes without complex manual configuration or centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the hub as an intermediary that facilitates the reconfiguration process. The hub provides information about candidate relay nodes to nodes, enabling them to make informed decisions about active time position adjustments without requiring direct complex interactions between all nodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Use of energy by moving object

If nodes remain in inactive state to save energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but communication capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by having nodes activate their radios periodically at configured active time positions rather than continuously. Nodes enter sleep mode during inactive periods to conserve energy and wake up at their configured active time positions to perform communications, creating an efficient periodic on-off pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic switching between inactive and active states based on communication needs. Nodes can dynamically change from inactive state to active state when they need to communicate with relay nodes or the hub, and return to inactive state afterward, optimizing the balance between energy efficiency and communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8750791B2Hub, relay node, and node for reconfiguring active state position in wireless body area network (WBAN), and communication method thereof

Publication Date: 2014.06.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are a hub, a relay node, and a node for reconfiguring an active time position of a node in a WBAN. An active time position of the node may be reconfigured based on information associated with an active time position of a candidate relay node that the node desires to use as a relay node.