Wireless Hub Channel Switching via Inactive Periods
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Solution Overview
Problem
In body area networks, existing communication methods face challenges in efficiently switching between control and data channels, particularly when interference occurs, leading to increased power consumption and insufficient time for channel switching, which can result in missed emergency signals due to short channel search times.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device that selectively switches between control and data channels by using a single RF unit, transmitting beacon signals on both channels at different cycles, and setting inactive periods to allow for efficient channel switching and power management, enabling the hub to switch between channels without affecting node operations and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hub performs a channel search to switch from data channel to control channel when interference occurs, then the hub can identify the changed data channel using beacon signals, but the power consumption increases due to extended channel search time
Solution Approach 1:
The hub performs channel search and identifies control channel beacon signals in advance, before actual channel switching is needed. This preliminary action stores channel information so that when switching is required, the hub can immediately use the pre-identified control channel without performing a full search, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of control channel candidates based on operational needs. When switching is not urgent, fewer candidates are searched to save power. When switching is required, the system can expand the search scope. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between power consumption and channel switching reliability
2Speed
If the channel suspension period is shortened to reduce search time, then emergency signals can be handled quickly, but the hub has insufficient time to switch the data channel to the control channel and receive beacon signals
Solution Approach 1:
The hub performs channel search and identifies control channel beacon signals in advance, before actual channel switching is needed. This preliminary action stores channel information so that when switching is required, the hub can immediately use the pre-identified control channel without performing a full search, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of control channel candidates based on operational needs. When switching is not urgent, fewer candidates are searched to save power. When switching is required, the system can expand the search scope. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between power consumption and channel switching reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device includes: controlling circuitry configured to selectively switch an operating channel between a first channel and a second channel; and a transmitter configured to transmit a first beacon signal through the first channel at a first cycle and transmit a second beacon signal through the second channel at a second cycle. A first period during which transmission/reception of a signal is possible and a second period during which transmission/reception of a signal is not performed are set for the second channel within a transmission interval of second beacon signals. The controlling circuitry switches the operating channel from the second channel to the first channel during the second period. The transmitter transmits the first beacon signal through the first channel during the second period. The controlling circuitry switches the operating channel from the first channel to the second channel by an end of the second period.