Ambient IoT Energy Harvesting With Backscatter Congestion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional IoT devices require a dedicated power source and regular maintenance, making them complex and expensive, while ambient IoT devices face challenges in energy management and network compatibility due to varying energy storage and transmission capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implement methods for managing energy availability in ambient IoT devices by checking energy storage levels and sending out-of-power messages when insufficient, and using a harmonized protocol for heterogeneous device types with power control and congestion management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional IoT devices use dedicated battery or AC power sources, then operational reliability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the dedicated power source from the IoT device entirely, extracting the battery/AC power requirement and replacing it with energy harvesting components. The device operates by harvesting ambient energy from its environment rather than containing its own power source, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining operational reliability through continuous energy harvesting.
Solution Approach 2:
The IoT device serves itself by harvesting energy from the ambient environment to power its operations. The energy harvesting component continuously collects energy from surrounding sources (RF signals, light, thermal gradients) and stores it in an energy storage element, enabling the device to be self-sufficient without external power connections or battery replacements.
2Device complexity
If ambient IoT devices harvest energy from various sources, then device complexity is reduced, but energy availability becomes insufficient for continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary energy storage by capturing and storing harvested energy before it is needed. The energy storage element (capacitor or battery) accumulates energy during periods when harvesting is successful, preparing sufficient energy reserves in advance to support subsequent device operations even when harvesting conditions are poor or interrupted.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its operation based on available energy levels. The IoT device monitors its energy storage status and adjusts its activity accordingly, entering low-power modes or suspending non-critical functions when energy is low, and increasing activity when energy reserves are sufficient, thus optimizing energy utilization in real-time.
3Use of energy by moving object
If backscatter communication is used for low-power transmission, then energy consumption is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates under congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the IoT device monitors communication outcomes and energy levels, then adjusts its backscatter transmission strategy accordingly. When communication congestion is detected or energy levels are low, the device modifies its transmission timing, power level, or data rate to maintain reliable communication while minimizing energy consumption, using feedback from both the communication channel and energy storage status.
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
Enhances operational efficiency and reduces complexity by optimizing energy use and network access for ambient IoT devices, minimizing interference and maintaining communication availability.
Implementation Method 1
Some A-loT devices may have energy storage that may be charged via energy harvesting
Implementation Method 2
backscatter communication exploits the reflected or backscattered signals in order to transmit data
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
There are provided ambient internet of things (A-IoT) devices and methods of operation of same. Some embodiments relate to A-IoT device capabilities in relation to energy storage and energy harvesting. Some embodiments, relate to a harmonizing protocol for heterogenous A-IoT device types. Some embodiments, relate to uneven transmission power capabilities of A-IoT devices. Some embodiments relate to the control of carrier wave generation enabling transmission by some A-IoT device configurations. Some embodiments, relate to considering congestion control as it can relate to A-IoT devices.