Wireless Communication Mode Switching for Link Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In millimeter-wave communication systems, beamforming technologies face challenges with sudden changes in device orientation or obstacles, leading to signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) degradation and link loss, resulting in data packet loss and increased downtime during sector-level sweep beam training.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device equipped with both directional and omnidirectional wireless communication capabilities, using a processor to determine the distance to an external device based on received signals and decide whether to reattempt directional communication or switch to omnidirectional communication to maintain data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sector-level sweep beam training is performed periodically to detect link loss, then directional wireless communication reliability is improved, but data packet loss and communication downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional wireless communication reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary omnidirectional communication in the second frequency band before switching to directional communication in the first frequency band. This preliminary action ensures that if directional communication fails, the device can immediately fall back to omnidirectional communication without extended downtime, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between omnidirectional and directional communication modes based on link quality detection. When link loss is detected in directional communication, the system transitions to omnidirectional mode, and when link quality improves, it switches back to directional mode. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing both reliability and response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If beamforming technology is used to concentrate transmission power in narrow space, then transmission efficiency is improved, but adaptability to sudden direction changes and obstacles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to direction changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between directional beamforming mode (for high transmission efficiency) and omnidirectional mode (for adaptability to direction changes). When obstacles or direction changes are detected causing link loss, the system transitions from directional to omnidirectional communication, thereby resolving the contradiction between transmission efficiency and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the communication parameter from directional beamforming to omnidirectional transmission when link loss is detected. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to sudden direction changes and obstacles while maintaining optimal transmission efficiency when conditions are favorable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If directional wireless communication is used to achieve high data rate, then data transmission speed is improved, but vulnerability to link loss and data packet loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidvulnerability to link loss

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between directional communication mode (for high data transmission speed) and omnidirectional communication mode (for reliability). When link loss is detected in directional mode, the system transitions to omnidirectional mode to maintain connection reliability, thereby resolving the contradiction between speed and vulnerability to link loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares omnidirectional communication capability in advance as a backup mechanism. When directional communication experiences link loss, the pre-prepared omnidirectional mode provides immediate cushioning protection, preventing data packet loss and maintaining communication reliability while allowing the system to return to high-speed directional communication when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11265051B2Method, electronic device, and storage means for controlling data communication

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

According to various embodiments, a method of controlling data communication of an electronic device, the method comprising performing the directional wireless communication together with an external electronic device capable of performing the directional wireless communication and the omni-directional wireless communication, by using the first wireless communication circuit, determining the distance between an electronic device and the external electronic device, at least partially on the basis of a signal of the external electronic device received by using the second wireless communication circuit, when the stop or degradation of the directional wireless communication is detected, and determining whether to reattempt the directional wireless communication using the first wireless communication circuit, at least partially on the basis of the determined distance or to start the omni-directional wireless communication using the second wireless communication circuit. Other embodiments are possible.