Dual-Mode Terminal Switching Between Backscatter and Active Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal devices supporting dual-mode transmission (backscatter and active transmission) lack a method to determine the appropriate communication mode, leading to potential continuous failure and increased power consumption due to prolonged backscatter communication attempts.

Innovation Solution

A communication method and apparatus that enables a terminal device to switch from backscatter communication to active transmission when a preset condition is met, such as exceeding a maximum backscatter communication number or time, thereby reducing power consumption and ensuring successful data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal device continuously performs backscatter communication, then power consumption is reduced, but transmission delay increases and transmission success rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device dynamically switches between backscatter communication mode and active transmission mode based on real-time channel conditions and transmission requirements. When channel conditions are good, backscatter mode is used for low power consumption; when channel conditions deteriorate or delay requirements increase, the device transitions to active transmission mode to ensure timely data delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes communication parameters by switching between two distinct communication modes (backscatter and active transmission). The selection is based on parameters such as channel quality indicators, transmission delay requirements, and power consumption thresholds, allowing the device to optimize performance by adjusting its operational state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal device continuously performs backscatter communication, then power consumption is reduced, but transmission success rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtransmission success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device monitors transmission feedback from the network device (such as acknowledgment signals or channel quality indicators) and uses this feedback to determine whether to continue backscatter communication or switch to active transmission mode. This feedback mechanism ensures that transmission success rate is maintained while optimizing power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal device supports dual-mode transmission, then communication flexibility increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device is designed with multi-functionality to support both backscatter communication and active transmission modes. This universal design allows the device to adapt to different communication scenarios and requirements while maintaining a single integrated hardware architecture, reducing the need for separate specialized devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4586658A1Communication method and communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4586658A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4586658A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4586658A1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

Provided are a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: a terminal device performs backscatter communication; and when a preset condition is satisfied, the terminal device switches to active transmission communication. According to the method in embodiments of the present application, the power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced while the transmission delay is ensured.