WPAN Coordinator Frequency Convergence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless personal area network (WPAN) implementations face challenges with latency and network traffic due to slave-based non-cooperative network topology, particularly during the initialization phase and when multiple coordinators need to communicate, leading to increased latency and inefficient channel frequency switching.
Innovation Solution
A method where a coordinator operating at a first channel frequency transmits a message to a second coordinator to change to its channel frequency, allowing both to communicate on a single optimal channel frequency, reducing the need for priority-based mechanisms and enhancing bandwidth and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If slave-based non-cooperative network topology is used for WPAN communication, then device compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but latency and network traffic increase during initialization phase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having coordinators adapt to different channel frequencies (slave-based approach), the patent inverts the approach by having all coordinators converge to a single coordinator's channel frequency. The initiating coordinator broadcasts its channel frequency to other coordinators, and they switch to match it, thereby reducing latency while maintaining compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the initiating coordinator broadcast its channel frequency information before actual data transmission begins. This allows receiving coordinators to pre-configure their frequency switching, eliminating delays during the initialization phase and reducing overall latency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If coordinators operate on different channel frequencies, then network versatility and adaptability are improved, but communication efficiency and energy consumption worsen due to frequent channel switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all coordinator operations onto a single channel frequency by having the initiating coordinator broadcast its frequency and all other coordinators switch to match it. This consolidation eliminates the need for frequent inter-frequency switching, reducing energy consumption while maintaining network versatility through the coordinator's ability to select from multiple available frequencies.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coordinators operate on different channel frequencies, then frequency diversity is improved, but network traffic efficiency deteriorates due to coordination overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the frequency coordination function from multiple coordinators operating independently on different frequencies and consolidates it to a single initiating coordinator. This coordinator broadcasts its channel frequency once during initialization, eliminating the need for continuous coordination overhead and improving network traffic efficiency while preserving frequency diversity capability.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for a first coordinator operating at a first channelfrequencyin a wireless personal area network (WPAN), the WPAN further comprising a second coordinator operating a second channel frequency, the method comprising the steps of transmitting a message at a plurality of channel frequencies including the second channel frequency, requesting the second coordinator to change from the second channel frequency to the first channel frequency, and communicating with the second coordinator using the first channel frequency. As discussed above, advantages with the present invention includes that no prioritybased mechanism is needed due to the fact that the coordinator that initiates (e.g. starts) communicationdecides on used frequency. Furthermore, every coordinator is able to have the coordinator it wants to communicate with to change to its decided frequency. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method for a second coordinator, a first and asecond coordinator, a system comprising at least a first and a second coordinator, and a corresponding computer program.