Backscatter Antenna Sharing for Low Power Data Streaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices face challenges in efficiently streaming data due to small screens, battery life constraints, and space limitations, with existing methods like wired connections, WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular radios being power-hungry and inefficient for prolonged data streaming.

Innovation Solution

Integration of backscatter tags into mobile devices using existing conductive elements as dual-purpose antennas, which modulate radar cross-sections to transmit data wirelessly with low power consumption, leveraging asymmetric power budgets between mobile devices and base stations for high bandwidth and low power wireless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connection is used for data streaming, then data transfer reliability is improved, but portability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer reliabilityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with an electromagnetic backscatter communication system. The mobile device modulates its radar cross-section to encode data onto reflected electromagnetic signals from a base station, enabling wireless data transfer without physical connectors, thus maintaining reliability while restoring portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a base station as an intermediary that transmits electromagnetic signals which are then backscattered by the mobile device. This intermediary enables reliable data transfer over distance without requiring direct wired connection between the mobile device and the data destination, resolving the portability-reliability contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If WiFi, Bluetooth, or cellular radio is used for data streaming, then wireless data transfer capability is improved, but power consumption is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless data transfer capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device uses its own existing antenna and electromagnetic environment to perform backscatter communication. Instead of requiring separate dedicated antennas for each wireless standard (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular), the device leverages its existing antenna structure to modulate reflected signals, reducing the need for additional power-hungry transmission hardware while maintaining wireless capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the mobile device's antenna serve multiple functions: it acts as both a receiving antenna for electromagnetic signals from the base station and a backscatter antenna for transmitting modulated data. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated transmission antennas, reducing overall system complexity and power consumption while maintaining wireless data transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If new wireless transmitter antenna is added to mobile device, then wireless communication capability is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the mobile device's existing antenna serve dual purposes: receiving electromagnetic signals from the base station and transmitting backscattered modulated signals. This eliminates the need to add separate dedicated antennas for backscatter communication, maintaining wireless capability while avoiding increased device complexity from additional antenna structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the receiving and transmitting functions into a single antenna system. The same antenna that receives electromagnetic signals from the base station is also used to backscatter modulated data signals, merging what would traditionally require separate antenna structures into one unified system, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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, high-bandwidth data streaming with reduced power consumption, supporting large media files and virtual desktops, while overcoming space and weight constraints in mobile devices.

Implementation Method 1

backscatter tags into mobile devices using existing conductive elements as dual-purpose antennas, which modulate radar cross-sections to transmit data wirelessly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBackscatter: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9537515B2Antenna sharing in mobile devices for backscatter radio

Publication Date: 2017.01.03 CHORUSVIEW INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for wirelessly communicating data that receives electromagnetic (“EM”) radiation incident upon an antenna of a mobile device from a base station is described. The antenna is an element of the mobile device that serves an additional purpose than just as a reflective antenna for backscatter communications. A radar cross-section of the antenna is modulated between two or more states using a backscatter tag coupled to the antenna. Data is encoded onto a backscatter channel of the EM radiation via the modulating. The data is transmitted to the base station over the backscatter channel.