Adaptive Transceiver Power Control for Distance Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child monitoring devices using transceivers struggle to accurately detect the maximum distance between a child and their supervisor with minimal energy consumption, as they cannot distinguish between low transmission power and large distance based on reception field strength alone.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the transmission power for the next status message by comparing the received power with the specified transmission power in a confirmation message, allowing for adaptive power control and reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable distance monitoring, with the transceivers exchanging only a single status and confirmation message per cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If periodic status messages are sent with pauses in between, then power consumption is reduced, but distance monitoring reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic status messages with pauses between transmissions to reduce power consumption. The transceivers exchange status messages at defined intervals rather than continuously, allowing the system to enter low-power states during pauses while maintaining monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through confirmation messages that verify successful reception of status messages. The second transceiver sends confirmation messages back to the first transceiver, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that ensures reliable distance monitoring even with periodic transmissions.
2Device complexity
If only reception field strength is evaluated, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system sends confirmation messages from the second transceiver back to the first transceiver, creating a feedback loop that provides additional measurement data. This feedback mechanism enables more precise distance determination by comparing transmission power with received signal strength across bidirectional communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transmission power indication as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the physical quantity (distance) and the measurement (received field strength). By including transmission power information in status messages, the system can accurately calculate distance without increasing hardware complexity.
3Reliability
If transmission power is increased, then distance monitoring reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission power based on actual distance requirements rather than using fixed high power. The first transceiver adapts its transmission power level according to the received signal strength and distance calculations, using higher power only when necessary to maintain monitoring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission power parameter dynamically based on measured signal conditions. By adjusting the transmission power level according to the received field strength and distance requirements, the system maintains monitoring reliability while minimizing energy consumption during normal operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures low average energy consumption without compromising the reliability of distance monitoring, enabling effective power control and minimizing transmission power usage, while allowing for miniaturization and efficient operation with inexpensive microcontrollers.
Implementation Method 1
two transceivers, the first of which periodically sends status reports of a specific transmission power to the second
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for monitoring the maximum distance between two objects (1, 2), in particular between a child and its guardian, with the aid of two transceivers (3, 4), the first of which periodically transmits status messages (IDC, STc,i, TPc,i) of a particular transmission power (TPc,i) to the second, wherein an alarm is triggered in the second transceiver (4) if the reception of the status messages decreases, and wherein a statement of the transmission power (TPc,i) is concomitantly transmitted in each status message (IDc, STc,i, TPc,i), are distinguished by the fact that the transmission power (TPc,i+1) to be used for the next status message is determined by comparing the reception power (RPc,i) with the transmission power (TPc,i) stated in a status message and is transmitted back to the first transceiver (3) in a confirmation message (IDP, STp,i, TPc,i+1).