Wireless Medium Channel Optimization via Interference Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication devices face performance issues due to interference from other devices operating in the same frequency band, leading to reduced channel availability and increased energy consumption in scanning for usable channels.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes operational information from one wireless medium, such as Bluetooth, to optimize the operation of another medium, like WLAN, by determining a scan list of potential communication channels and adjusting scan rates based on interference levels, using Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH) to avoid interference and conserve resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wireless communication device scans all potential communication channels to find usable channels, then the device can identify available channels for communication, but the scanning process consumes significant energy and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first wireless communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth) perform channel condition measurements and identify usable channels in advance. The results of this preliminary channel assessment are then reused by the second wireless communication medium (e.g., WLAN), eliminating the need for redundant scanning and reducing overall energy consumption while ensuring reliable channel identification.
2Reliability
If a wireless communication device scans all potential communication channels to ensure reliable communication, then the device can avoid interference, but the scanning process takes excessive time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing channel condition assessments using the first wireless communication medium before the second medium needs to operate. The identified usable channels are stored and reused, significantly reducing the time required for the second medium to find reliable channels while maintaining communication reliability through pre-validated channel selection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wireless communication mediums operate in the same frequency band, then the device can provide diverse communication capabilities, but interference from one medium degrades the performance of another
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by having the first wireless communication medium continuously monitor channel conditions and provide this information to the second medium. The second medium uses this feedback to adjust its operation, selecting channels that are identified as usable by the first medium, thereby reducing interference and improving overall system performance while maintaining diverse communication capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention may include system for utilizing operational information obtained by one wireless communication medium that is supported by a wireless device in order to optimize the operation of another wireless communication medium also supported in the same device. More specifically, the present invention may leverage channel condition information collected as part of the standard operation of a wireless communication medium including interference avoidance capabilities, like Bluetooth with Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH), in order to modify the operation in another wireless communication medium such as by determining a channel scan list of potential operational channels to scan, determining a scan order for the channel scan list of potential communication channels based on, for example, the probability that a channel is currently being utilized by a target device, and/or altering a scan rate for one or more communication channels.