Background
Existing solutions for short range wireless communications between a host device and a number of user devices (or sensor nodes) are characterized by the symmetrical designs of their transceiver capabilities. The digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms necessary for channel equalization, compensation and synchronization require a substantial level of technical complexity, which could dramatically increase the cost and power consumption of the user devices. This has become a particular challenge for many emerging applications related to Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine communications (M2M), where a large number of battery-powered wireless sensors are needed for data sensing purposes. Consequently, reducing the complexity, cost and power consumption of the user devices will directly accelerate the deployment of IoT and M2M related applications. Similar challenges can also be found in consumer electronics where low cost short range communications are needed to interconnect cameras and printers with a computer host.
This invention significantly reduces the complexity, power consumption and cost of user devices for short range wireless communication through asymmetrical transceiver design. By exploiting asymmetrical processing capabilities, this patent uses the host device to provide additional signal processing on behalf of the user device.
Description of the Invention
The host device, such as a data collection server in a sensor network or a desktop computer, usually has much higher DSP capabilities and faster processing speed than the user devices it is communicating with, such as sensor nodes or a camera. Researchers at Western University have developed a novel design that uses the host device's additional capability to provide pre-processing for the user device, reducing its complexity and corresponding cost. The host device can communicate with multiple user devices simultaneously - including a large number of sensors - through shared access to the communication channel.
Potential Advantages
• Complexity reduction of user devices/sensor nodes
• Cost reduction of user devices/sensor nodes
• Extended battery life of sensors and user devices
Potential Applications
• Internet of things, machine to machine, sensor networks, RFID
• Building/factory automation
• Wireless consumer electronics
Patent Status
• US patent issued (patent number to be confirmed)
• CA patent application in prosecution.
