Wireless Peer-to-Peer Group Priority for Interference Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The cascade yielding problem in synchronous wireless peer-to-peer networks leads to inefficiencies due to cascading backoffs, where lower priority devices yield to higher priority devices, resulting in only one device transmitting despite others being able to do so without interference.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves determining groups for wireless devices based on signals received, selecting a group for access to the wireless medium to reduce interference, and using a priority system where each group has a different priority, allowing devices to communicate concurrently by associating with a group that minimizes interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices use random priority in each slot to avoid collisions, then collision avoidance is achieved, but cascade yielding problem occurs reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the set of devices into multiple groups based on their channel conditions and interference relationships. By dividing devices into groups with similar characteristics, the system can assign priorities at the group level rather than requiring random priority assignment for each device, thereby reducing cascade yielding while maintaining collision avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the priority assignment parameter from random individual device priorities to group-based deterministic priorities. Groups are formed based on channel quality and interference metrics, and priorities are assigned based on group characteristics rather than random selection, which resolves the cascade yielding problem while preserving collision-free operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If devices back off to higher priority links to avoid interference, then interference avoidance is achieved, but transmission opportunities are lost for non-interfering devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference avoidanceVSAvoidtransmission opportunity loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting devices into groups based on their interference relationships, the invention identifies which groups can transmit simultaneously without interfering with each other. This segmentation allows multiple groups to transmit in parallel, preventing transmission opportunity loss while maintaining interference avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a spatial dimension to priority assignment by considering the geometric and topological relationships between devices. Devices are grouped based on their spatial separation and interference patterns, allowing the system to exploit spatial diversity for concurrent transmissions, thereby reducing time loss without causing interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If deterministic group-based priority is used, then cascade yielding is reduced, but device grouping complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidgrouping algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention simplifies the grouping complexity by using measurable physical parameters such as channel quality indicators and received signal strength as grouping criteria. These parameters are naturally available in wireless systems, allowing devices to be grouped based on objective metrics rather than complex algorithms, thus reducing implementation complexity while improving transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The grouping mechanism is designed to be self-organizing, where devices automatically determine their group membership based on locally available channel information and interference measurements. This self-service approach eliminates the need for centralized control or complex coordination protocols, reducing system complexity while achieving deterministic priority assignment that reduces cascade yielding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2764752B1Methods and apparatus for distributed medium access in wireless peer-to-peer networks
Publication Date: 2016.06.22 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2764752B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2764752B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2764752B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus, a method of the apparatus, and a computer program in the apparatus are provided in which the apparatus determines a group to which each of a plurality of wireless devices is associated based on signals received from the plurality of wireless devices. The apparatus selects a group for access to a wireless medium from a plurality of groups based on the group determined for each of the plurality of wireless devices and based on reducing interference with the plurality of wireless devices. Each of the plurality of groups has a different priority. The apparatus communicates using peer-to-peer communication on the wireless medium with a priority based on the selected group.