Ambient-Powered Random Access for Zero-Power Wireless Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional random access methods are inadequate for zero-power devices due to their limited capabilities, necessitating a new approach that leverages ambient energy for communication.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication method and network device system that enables zero-power devices to perform random access by utilizing ambient power, employing energy harvesting and backscattering communication to determine and send random access channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional random access methods are used, then network devices can communicate with powered devices, but zero-power devices cannot perform random access due to limited capability
Solution Approach 1:
The zero-power device harvests energy from ambient sources (RF signals, light, thermal energy) to power its own communication operations. The device serves itself by collecting energy from the environment rather than relying on an internal battery or external power source, enabling it to perform random access procedures despite having no dedicated power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an energy harvesting module as an intermediary between the zero-power device and the ambient environment. This module captures energy from RF signals, light, or thermal sources and converts it into usable electrical energy for the device's communication functions, bridging the gap between ambient energy sources and the device's power requirements.
2Ease of operation
If zero-power devices collect ambient energy for communication, then they can operate without batteries, but their communication capability is limited by available energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple random access resources (time slots, frequency resources, preamble sequences) that the zero-power device can select from. This preparation ensures that when energy becomes available, the device can immediately initiate communication without delay, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts communication parameters such as transmission power, modulation scheme, and random access resource selection based on the available harvested energy. When energy levels are low, the device uses more conservative parameters; when energy is abundant, it can use more aggressive communication strategies, thus maintaining reliable communication across varying energy conditions.
3Quantity of substance
If zero-power devices are deployed in large numbers, then coverage and functionality increase, but energy collection becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the random access resources into multiple orthogonal dimensions (time slots, frequency subcarriers, code sequences). This segmentation allows multiple zero-power devices to simultaneously perform random access without interfering with each other, enabling large-scale deployment while each device independently harvests energy from ambient sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system expands the random access domain by introducing multiple orthogonal dimensions for resource allocation. Instead of a single time-domain resource, the patent utilizes time-frequency-code multi-dimensional resources, allowing devices to access the network through different combinations of these dimensions, thereby supporting large numbers of devices with limited ambient energy.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective communication for zero-power devices in various environments, supporting large-scale deployment and maintenance-free operation.
Implementation Method 1
a zero-power device needs to collect ambient energy (for example, radio frequency (RF) energy, optical energy, solar energy, thermal energy, and the like) to obtain energy used for communication
Implementation Method 2
employing energy harvesting and backscattering communication to determine and send random access channels
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication method, an ambient power-enabled (AMP) device, and a network device are provided. The method includes the following. An AMP device receives a first signal sent by a network device, where the first signal is used for determining a resource for a random access channel. The AMP device sends the random access channel to the network device according to the first signal.