Wireless Master Device Aggregates Slave Event Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional short-range wireless networks, such as Bluetooth piconets, experience reduced data throughput due to the need for devices to periodically monitor the medium, which limits consistent availability and results in chopping of aggregated media access control protocol data units when Bluetooth and WLAN circuits share a transmission medium.
Innovation Solution
A master device in a wireless network adjusts the event timing windows of slave devices by 'nudging' their clocks to aggregate these windows into a group window, reducing the frequency of medium interruptions and enhancing data throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If devices periodically monitor the medium in sniff windows, then power consumption is reduced, but data throughput is limited due to medium availability interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent aggregates multiple individual sniff windows from different slave devices into a single consolidated event window. This merging allows the master device to take control of the shared medium once during this aggregated window to service all slaves simultaneously, rather than repeatedly yielding control at each individual sniff window, thereby reducing medium interruptions and improving WLAN data throughput while maintaining low power consumption benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The master device performs preliminary aggregation of event windows and determines a consolidated timing schedule in advance. By pre-coordinating when all slave devices will have their event windows aggregated into a single window, the system can proactively minimize medium interruptions before WLAN transmissions occur, allowing for more consistent medium availability and improved aggregated MPDU throughput
2Adaptability or versatility
If BT master takes control over medium at various sniff window locations, then BT communications are enabled, but WLAN data throughput is reduced due to medium chopping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple scattered event windows into a single aggregated event window, allowing the BT master to take control of the shared medium at one consolidated location rather than at multiple分散ed sniff window locations. This merging reduces the fragmentation and chopping of WLAN aggregated MPDUs while still enabling necessary BT communications during the aggregated window
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing and aggregation of event windows based on network conditions and requirements. The master device can flexibly determine when to aggregate windows and for how long to maintain control, optimizing the balance between BT communication needs and WLAN throughput performance in real-time
Data Source
AI summary
A method can include receiving a timing signal that is part of a first communication protocol; by operation of a master device operating according to a second communication protocol, determining event timing windows for a plurality of slave devices of the master device; and by operation of the master device, transmitting control packets to the slave devices, adjusting clock values in the slave devices to sequentially order the event timing windows within an event group window; wherein the event window is timed according to the timing signal. Related devices and systems are also disclosed.