Wireless Data Polling for Multi-Radio Mesh Coexistence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concurrent operation of multiple radios in electronic devices, such as smartphones, within a mesh network poses coexistence challenges due to shared radio resources, leading to interference and increased power consumption during continuous reception periods.
Innovation Solution
Enhanced data polling schedules data reception in intermediate slots when other wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are inactive, optimizing coexistence and reducing power consumption in coexistence-constrained devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If end devices continuously monitor for data transmissions in mesh network, then data reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic data polling where end devices wake up at scheduled intervals to check for data transmissions from parent devices. Instead of continuous monitoring, devices transition to sleep mode between polling cycles, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable data reception through regular periodic checks
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radios operate concurrently in electronic devices, then communication versatility is improved, but radio coexistence deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operation of multiple radios by allocating specific time slots for different wireless communication protocols. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mesh network operations are divided into separate intermediate slots within a structured frame, preventing simultaneous transmission and reducing radio frequency interference while maintaining support for multiple communication protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic radio resource allocation where the system adaptively manages radio operations based on data availability and communication requirements. Radios are activated only when needed for specific protocols during their designated time slots, dynamically adjusting resource usage to minimize interference while maintaining communication versatility
3Loss of time
If end devices wake and poll parent device frequently, then data transmission timeliness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes periodic polling intervals where end devices wake up at predetermined times to check for data from parent devices. This structured periodic approach balances timeliness by ensuring regular data checks while controlling power consumption through sleep modes between intervals, avoiding both excessive polling and excessive delays
Data Source
AI summary
The subject technology provides for data polling for electronic devices. An apparatus may initiate, based on a wakeup event, a data poll message that includes timing information indicating a time window during which the apparatus expects a data transmission associated with a first wireless communication protocol. The apparatus may provide for transmission, to a parent device, the data poll message. The apparatus may receive, from the parent device, an acknowledgement message indicating whether data is available for transmission to the apparatus. The apparatus may monitor for a data transmission associated with the first wireless communication protocol during at least a portion of the time window based on the acknowledgment message indicating that data is available for transmission to the apparatus. By indicating the time that an end device is available for data reception, the reliability of transmissions in a mesh network is increased.