Decentralized Wireless Resource Switching via Broadcast Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cellular wireless communications networks face challenges in managing resource allocation and switching in decentralized peer-to-peer networks, where centralized control is absent, and devices need to adapt to changing conditions such as interference and jamming without a centralized controller.

Innovation Solution

A method where individual communications devices in a decentralized wireless network self-allocate resources and switch between them by broadcasting resource change signals, using peer discovery communications resources with pseudo-randomly placed intentional NULLs to facilitate power measurements and interference assessments, allowing seamless tracking of information streams across resource changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If devices in a decentralized network autonomously manage resource allocation and switching, then adaptability to changing conditions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to changing conditionsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each communications device autonomously performs resource allocation, monitoring, and switching decisions without centralized control. The device independently assesses channel conditions, detects interference and collisions, and switches resources based on predefined criteria, enabling self-service operation in decentralized networks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Devices continuously monitor channel conditions, interference levels, and collision detection outcomes, using this feedback to dynamically adjust resource selection and switching decisions. The feedback mechanism enables adaptive behavior while maintaining manageable complexity through rule-based responses to observed conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If devices monitor all available communication resources, then situation awareness is improved, but power consumption and computational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesituational awarenessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Devices monitor a limited subset of communication resources rather than all available resources. By focusing monitoring efforts on selected resources based on allocation patterns and interference observations, devices achieve sufficient situational awareness while significantly reducing power consumption and computational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Speed

If a device switches communication resources without notifying peers, then switching speed is improved, but loss of information increases due to peer tracking disruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoidpeer tracking information
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The device transmits a resource change signal before or during the resource switching operation to notify peer devices of the upcoming or ongoing switch. This preliminary notification allows peers to prepare for tracking the device on new resources, maintaining continuity of communication while enabling relatively fast switching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The resource change signal acts as an intermediary message that bridges the gap between resource switching actions and peer tracking updates. This signal carries essential information about the resource transition, enabling peers to maintain accurate tracking without requiring continuous monitoring of all resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2478736B1Method and apparatus for controlling switching between resources and/or communicating resource change information in a wireless communications system
Publication Date: 2013.08.28 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2478736B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2478736B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2A
  • EP2478736B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for controlling switching between resources and/or communicating resource change information in a wireless communications system are described. Various methods and apparatus are well suited for use in a decentralized wireless communications network, such as a decentralized peer to peer wireless network, where an individual communications device self allocates resources and makes resource switching decisions. A first communications device may decide that there is a need to switch from the first communications resource corresponding to a first identifier to a second communications resource corresponding to a second identifier, e.g., because of interference. The first communications device generates and transmits a broadcast change signal indicating a change from the first communications resource associated with the first identifier to a second communications resource associated with the second identifier. In some embodiments, the resource change signal is transmitted on at least one of the first and second communications resources.