Adaptive Hearing Device Transmit Power for Symmetric Call Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
The asymmetric transmit powers between hearing devices and remote devices, such as mobile phones, lead to deteriorated wireless link quality and asymmetric audio quality, where the audio received by the hearing aid user is good while the far-end user experiences bad audio.
Innovation Solution
A hearing system with a processor and wireless transceiver that estimates audio link packet error rates and adjusts transmit power to ensure symmetric audio quality, using notifications and automatic power control to maintain link quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the hearing device transmits at low power (0 dBm) to conserve battery and reduce size, then battery life is extended and device size is reduced, but wireless link quality deteriorates when distance exceeds a certain range
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device dynamically adjusts its transmit power based on real-time assessment of wireless link quality. The processor monitors packet error rates and modifies transmit power levels accordingly, transitioning from a static low-power mode to an adaptive power control system that maintains reliable communication while minimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the processor continuously monitors the wireless link quality by assessing packet error rates and uses this information to adjust transmit power. The far-end device also provides feedback about received signal quality, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes link reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the hearing device transmits at low power, then power consumption is reduced, but audio quality symmetry deteriorates because the far-end user experiences poor audio quality
Solution Approach 1:
The far-end device monitors the quality of audio received from the hearing device and provides feedback to the hearing device's processor. This feedback loop enables the hearing device to adjust its transmit power to maintain symmetric audio quality, ensuring that both the hearing aid user and the far-end user experience good audio quality throughout the call.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmit power control system dynamically adjusts power levels based on real-time audio quality assessments from both ends of the communication link. This dynamic adjustment ensures audio quality symmetry while optimizing power consumption, allowing the device to use higher power only when necessary to maintain symmetric quality.
3Reliability
If the hearing device increases transmit power to improve wireless link quality, then link reliability improves, but battery life is reduced and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than operating at a fixed high power level, the hearing device uses dynamic power adjustment, transmitting at higher power only when link quality assessment indicates poor conditions and returning to lower power when conditions improve. This dynamic approach maintains link reliability while minimizing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmit power parameter based on assessed link conditions. The processor monitors packet error rates and other link quality metrics, then adjusts the transmit power parameter accordingly, creating an adaptive power control system that optimizes the trade-off between link reliability and power consumption.
4Device complexity
If the hearing device uses fixed transmit power, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different communication conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device transitions from fixed power operation to dynamic power adjustment based on real-time link quality assessment. The processor monitors communication conditions and automatically adjusts transmit power to adapt to varying distances and environmental conditions, providing versatility without requiring complex manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The power control system operates autonomously, with the processor automatically assessing link quality and adjusting transmit power without user intervention. This self-service approach provides adaptability to different communication conditions while keeping the user interface simple and the overall device complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing device includes a processor and a wireless transceiver operatively connected with the processor and configured to connect via a wireless link with a remote device and to exchange bi-directional audio packets with the remote device. The processor is configured to monitor an audio link quality and adapt a transmit power of the hearing device as a function of the audio link quality.