WPAN Channel Switching via Intermediary Slave Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing WPAN channel switching technologies cause communication interruptions and prolonged downtime due to the need for all slaves to disconnect from the network during channel scanning and switching, making them unsuitable for time-sensitive applications.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a master selects an adjacent channel search slave to remotely scan for and identify optimal adjacent channels, minimizing network disruption by having the slave perform channel scans instead of the master, thus allowing for quicker channel changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the master scans adjacent channels to detect channel states, then channel switching can be performed to avoid interference, but all slaves are disconnected from the network causing communication interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary slave device that performs channel scanning on behalf of the master. This intermediary slave acts as a mediator between the master's need for channel information and the network's need for continuous operation, allowing the master to obtain channel state information without directly scanning channels itself, thereby avoiding network disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables a slave device to autonomously perform channel scanning and report results to the master. The slave serves itself by taking on the additional function of channel detection, which normally would be performed by the master, thereby freeing the master to maintain network connectivity while still obtaining necessary channel information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all slaves disconnect from the network during channel scanning, then the master can scan adjacent channels to find optimal channels, but the reconnection time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs channel scanning in advance during periods when communication requirements are lower, and uses the results to proactively switch channels before interference occurs. This preliminary action approach allows the system to have channel information ready beforehand, avoiding the need for time-consuming scanning during critical communication periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary slave performs channel scanning operations that would otherwise require master disconnection, acting as a mediator that enables channel information gathering without network disruption. This allows the master to maintain connectivity while still obtaining up-to-date channel state information for rapid switching decisions.
3Ease of operation
If the master performs channel scanning, then channel switching decisions can be made, but communication interruption occurs during the scanning process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary slave device to perform the physically disruptive action of channel scanning, while the master retains control over the channel switching decision-making process. This intermediary approach separates the control function (master) from the scanning execution (slave), allowing the master to maintain ease of operation while the slave handles the communication-interrupting task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional role assignment by having the slave perform channel scanning instead of the master. This inversion allows the master to focus on control and decision-making while the slave handles the operational task that causes communication interruption, thereby maintaining communication reliability while preserving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and method for changing a wireless personal area network (WPAN) channel when the quality of communication is degraded due to a change of a wireless environment. The system according to the present invention includes slaves configured to transmit/receive data, and a master connected to the slaves and configured to obtain communication state information of the slaves and select an adjacent channel search slave from among the slaves according to the obtained communication state information of the slaves.