Wireless Node Channel Switching to Reduce Power Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, especially in LAA and Wi-Fi systems, power leakage from occupied channels can lead to resource waste as neighboring channels are not utilized due to unsuccessful listening opportunities, as the receiving chain detects power from the transmitting chain on occupied channels.

Innovation Solution

Introducing an opposite direction transmission from a second node during a switching period between current and continuing transmissions on occupied channels, allowing the first node to listen on adjacent channels without power leakage interference, thereby enabling efficient utilization of all available channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a node transmits on occupied channels, then data transmission continues on these channels, but power leakage from the transmitting chain interferes with listening on neighboring channels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission continuityVSAvoidpower leakage interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the channel access process into distinct phases: a first transmission period on occupied channels, followed by a second listening period on neighboring channels. This temporal segmentation allows the node to separate the harmful transmission phase from the listening phase, eliminating power leakage interference while maintaining overall transmission productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic alternating transmission and listening periods. The node periodically switches between transmitting on occupied channels and listening on neighboring channels, creating a cyclical pattern that manages power leakage interference systematically while ensuring continuous operation across different channel sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If listening is performed on neighboring channels during transmission, then channel availability can be detected, but power leakage from transmitting chain causes false detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel listening accuracyVSAvoidpower leakage from transmitting chain

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the operation into separate transmission periods and listening periods. During listening periods on neighboring channels, the node does not transmit on occupied channels, thereby eliminating power leakage that would otherwise interfere with the accuracy of channel availability detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a time gap or switching period between transmission and listening phases, acting as an intermediary that allows the transmitting chain to be switched off or redirected before listening begins. This intermediary period ensures that no power leakage from transmission contaminates the listening measurement on neighboring channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If all available channels are utilized, then bandwidth utilization is maximized, but occupancy on initially used channels may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidchannel occupancy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes periodic returns to originally occupied channels through alternating transmission and listening periods. The node periodically re-listens on and re-occupies its original channels while also utilizing neighboring channels, ensuring both maximum bandwidth utilization and reliable maintenance of occupancy on initially used channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary listening checks on neighboring channels during the first period before fully committing to transmission on those channels. This preliminary action allows the node to identify available neighboring channels and plan subsequent transmission accordingly, ensuring reliable occupancy management while expanding bandwidth utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11419097B2Methods and nodes for communication on multiple channels

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

The present disclosure proposes a method of a first node which is capable of using multiple wireless channels, wherein one or more of the channels are occupied by the first node for its current transmission to a second node, the method comprising: sending an indication to the second node, to indicate the second node to transmit towards the first node on the one or more occupied channels in the period between the current transmission and the continuing transmission of the first node; and listening on each of one or more other channels in the multiple wireless channels in the period for the continuing transmission. With this method, the power leakage from the occupied channel(s) will not impact the judgement of the listening of the first node on the other channel(s) in that period.