Ambient Backscatter Coverage Control Using Power Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ambient backscatter communication technologies lack control over transmitter device coverage, leading to inefficient energy usage and increased interference due to uncontrolled reception quality, particularly in IoT applications where devices may receive insufficient or excessive electromagnetic power from ambient signals.
Innovation Solution
A method where the transmitter device autonomously controls its coverage by measuring and evaluating the electromagnetic power received from an emitter device, determining if the coverage distance meets a target value for quality of reception, and selectively implementing or disabling ambient backscattering based on this evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the transmitter device backscatters the ambient signal continuously without coverage control, then the energy cost of communication is reduced, but the coverage area becomes uncontrolled leading to either insufficient reception quality or excessive interference
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter device dynamically adjusts its backscattering operation based on real-time measurements of electromagnetic power from the ambient signal source. The device transitions from continuous backscattering to conditional backscattering, where the backscattering is activated only when the measured power indicates sufficient coverage quality. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making energy consumption efficient while ensuring reception quality through power-level-based activation criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the transmitter device continuously measures the electromagnetic power received from the ambient signal source and uses this measurement to control its backscattering operation. The measured power serves as feedback that determines whether to activate or deactivate backscattering, creating a closed-loop control system that balances energy efficiency with reception quality assurance.
2Reliability
If the transmitter device backscatters the ambient signal with large coverage area, then the reception quality is improved, but the probability of coverage overlap and mutual interference with other transmitter devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter device changes the operational parameter of backscattering activation based on the measured electromagnetic power level. Instead of operating at fixed coverage settings, the device adjusts its operational state (active or inactive) according to the power parameter of the ambient signal. This parameter-based control ensures that backscattering occurs only when power levels indicate adequate coverage, thereby improving reception quality while preventing coverage overlap and mutual interference through conditional activation.
3Device complexity
If the transmitter device operates without evaluating electromagnetic power levels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the coverage control capability is lost leading to inefficient energy usage
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter device performs self-evaluation of the electromagnetic power level from the ambient signal source and makes autonomous decisions about backscattering activation based on this self-assessment. The device serves itself by measuring the power level and determining its own operational state without requiring external control or complex infrastructure. This self-service approach maintains relatively simple device architecture while achieving efficient energy usage through intelligent power-level-based activation.
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 allows for efficient energy use and reduced interference by enabling the transmitter device to independently manage its coverage, ensuring reliable communication without the need for complex calculations or external device assistance.
Implementation Method 1
The transmitter device reflects the ambient signal towards the receiver device, possibly by modulating it by selectively connecting an antenna that equips it at distinct impedances. The signal thus reflected is called a 'backscattered signal'
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the backscattering of an ambient signal emitted by an emitter device is described. The method is implemented by a transmitter device configured to backscatter the ambient signal and includes acquiring a measurement of power received from the emitter device, and evaluating a criterion consisting of at least checking whether a distance, counted from a position occupied by the transmitter device during the acquiring of the current measurement and in which a given reception quality value is attained for a signal obtained by backscattering the ambient signal, is in a given interval, where the distance of coverage being defined as a function of the measurement and the value. The ambient signal is backscattered only if the criterion is met.