Apparatus and method for ambient noise adaptation in wireless sensor networks

摘要

Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for adapting wireless sensor network device operation to ambient RF noise. An example embodiment includes: initializing a noise threshold value to a default value; detecting an ambient RF noise level on a plurality of channels of a wireless network device; if the ambient RF noise level detected on a pre-determined number of channels is above the noise threshold value, adjusting the noise threshold value by an increment and retesting the ambient RF noise level on the plurality of channels; if the noise threshold value exceeds a pre-determined maximum noise threshold value, suspending data communications by the wireless network device; and if the ambient RF noise level detected on a pre-determined number of channels is below the noise threshold value, retaining the noise threshold value and enabling data communications by the wireless network device.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
initializing a noise threshold value to a default value; detecting an ambient radio frequency (RF) noise level on a plurality of channels of a wireless network device by execution of processing instructions by a processor in the wireless network device, the wireless network device being configured to communicate with other wireless network devices of a wireless sensor network at the data link layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) networking model using established data communication protocols, the wireless network devices of the wireless sensor network being synchronized to a common global clock and operating in a low power listening mode with radios de-activated to conserve battery power when the wireless network device is not transmitting data to other wireless network devices of the wireless sensor network; if the ambient RF noise level detected on a pre-determined number of channels is above the noise threshold value, adjusting the noise threshold value by an increment and retesting the ambient RF noise level on the plurality of channels; if the noise threshold value exceeds a pre-determined maximum noise threshold value, suspending data communications by the wireless network device; and if the ambient RF noise level detected on a pre-determined number of channels is below the noise threshold value, retaining the noise threshold value and enabling data communications by the wireless network device.