Antenna Orientation Control for Wireless Link Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication between portable devices, such as hearing assistance devices, often experiences drop-outs and reduced signal quality due to dead angles, which cannot be completely eliminated with existing technologies that rely on multiple coils or link quality measurement, as they either increase power consumption or add latency.
Innovation Solution
The system estimates the mutual orientation of transmission and reception antennas in real-time using sensors like gyroscopes and accelerometers, selectively activating the most optimally oriented antenna elements to maintain optimal link conditions and minimize drop-outs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transmission power is increased to reduce dead angles, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects which antenna elements to activate based on real-time orientation data from motion sensors. Instead of using all antenna elements continuously or increasing power, the system adapts the active antenna configuration to the current device orientation, thereby maintaining signal quality while minimizing power consumption by activating only the necessary antenna elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the wireless communication system by selectively activating different antenna elements based on orientation parameters obtained from motion sensors. This parameter change allows the system to optimize signal quality for the current orientation without increasing overall transmission power.
2Reliability
If multiple coils are used to reduce dead angles, then signal reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses motion sensors to dynamically determine device orientation and selectively activates only the antenna elements that are optimally positioned for the current orientation. This dynamic approach maintains signal reliability while reducing the effective complexity by not requiring all antenna elements to be actively managed simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses onboard motion sensors to automatically determine orientation and select appropriate antenna elements without external intervention. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex external control systems while maintaining reliable communication.
3Reliability
If link quality measurement is used to select antennas, then signal quality is improved, but latency is introduced due to processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by using motion sensors to predict the optimal antenna elements based on device orientation before communication occurs. This proactive approach based on physical orientation data eliminates the need for time-consuming link quality measurements and trial-and-error antenna selection, thereby reducing latency while maintaining signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the electronic measurement and processing approach (link quality measurement) with a mechanical sensing approach (motion sensors detecting physical orientation). This substitution provides immediate orientation data without the latency associated with electronic signal measurements and processing.
4Reliability
If third coil is added to completely remove dead angles, then signal coverage is improved, but data bandwidth is halved due to sequential usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects from available antenna elements based on real-time orientation data, allowing flexible use of antenna resources. This dynamic selection enables the system to achieve complete signal coverage through intelligent routing rather than requiring a third coil, thereby maintaining full data bandwidth while eliminating dead angles.
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 enhances wireless communication reliability and power efficiency by using current information to adjust antenna stimulation, reducing drop-outs and optimizing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a second direction detector (e.g. comprising a gyroscope) arranged to provide a second direction-signal indicative of a current orientation of the auxiliary device in three-dimensional space
Implementation Method 2
a second direction detector (e.g. comprising an accelerometer) arranged to provide a second direction-signal indicative of a current orientation of the auxiliary device
Implementation Method 3
a second antenna comprising a multitude of antenna elements... a second wireless unit operationally coupled to the second antenna... selectively control the connection of said multitude of antenna elements to said second wireless unit
Data Source
Figure 1a~1f
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The application relates to a portable electronic system comprising a first electronic device and an auxiliary device, the first electronic device and the auxiliary device each comprising circuitry allowing the establishment of a uni- or bi-directional wireless link between the devices. An object of the present application is to improve wireless communication between two portable devices of a portable electronic (e.g. hearing assistance) system. The problem is solved in that the first electronic device comprises a first antenna defining a first spatial direction, and a first wireless unit operationally coupled to the first antenna, and wherein the auxiliary device comprises a second antenna defining a second spatial direction, the second antenna comprising a multitude of antenna elements, each antenna element defining a specific spatial direction, said second spatial direction being defined relative to said one or more specific spatial directions, a second wireless unit operationally coupled to the second antenna, a direction detector configured to provide a direction-signal indicating an estimate of a current value of said second spatial direction relative to a reference direction, and a control unit configured to selectively control the connection of said multitude of antenna elements of the second antenna to said second wireless unit based on said direction-signal from the direction detector. This has the advantage of allowing an optimized mutual orientation of the antennas of the electronic device and the auxiliary device, respectively. The invention may e.g. be used in applications involving wireless communication between two portable devices, e.g. in a hearing assistance system comprising a hearing assistance device and an auxiliary device, e.g. a remote control, an audio selection device and/or a communication device.