Backscatter Signal Isolation in Passive IoT Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in accurately identifying and isolating backscatter signals from passive IoT devices, particularly in environments with multiple devices and varying signal properties, which hinders efficient network discovery and management.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that receive and isolate backscatter signals from further signals by demodulating, regenerating, and reconstructing the original signal, and then removing the reconstructed signal to isolate the backscatter contribution, allowing for the determination of device parameters and detection of passive devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If backscatter signals are received in environments with multiple devices and varying signal properties, then the ability to detect passive devices is improved, but the accuracy of isolating backscatter signals from further signals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The received signal is segmented into distinct components through demodulation and regeneration processes. The patent separates the backscatter signal contribution from the further signal contribution by processing them through different computational paths, enabling accurate isolation despite complex signal environments with multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate processing steps including signal regeneration, channel response estimation, and interference reconstruction. These intermediary processes act as mediators that facilitate the separation of mixed signals by creating representative models of the further signals, which are then subtracted to isolate the backscatter components.
2Measurement precision
If signal processing steps (demodulating, regenerating, reconstructing) are performed to isolate backscatter signals, then the purity of backscatter signal extraction is improved, but the complexity of the processing apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing apparatus is designed with multi-functional components that perform multiple operations. The signal processing unit executes demodulation, regeneration, channel estimation, and interference reconstruction using integrated algorithms, reducing the need for separate dedicated hardware for each function and thereby managing complexity while maintaining extraction precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the signal processing domain, such as transforming signals between time and frequency domains, adjusting modulation parameters, and varying channel response estimates. These parameter transformations enable effective signal isolation through mathematical operations rather than complex physical hardware modifications.
3Measurement precision
If multiple signals (first signal, additional signals) are removed from the received signal, then the accuracy of backscatter signal isolation is improved, but the time required for signal processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-regenerating the first signal and additional signals before they are mixed with backscatter signals. Channel responses are estimated in advance, and interference components are reconstructed prior to the final isolation step. This preliminary processing enables more efficient subtraction operations that reduce overall processing time while maintaining high isolation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or hardware-based signal separation methods with computational algorithms. Instead of using physical filters or frequency separation techniques that require complex hardware, the system uses digital signal processing, mathematical modeling, and computational subtraction to remove interfering signals, thereby reducing processing time while achieving precise isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus including receiving, at a second node, a signal including contributions of at least one backscatter signal and at least one further signal, the at least one backscatter signal being transmitted by a respective at least one passive device in response to a first node transmitting a first signal to the at least one passive device; isolating the contribution of the at least one backscatter signal from the at least one further signal; and based on the contribution of the at least one backscatter signal, determining, by the second node, one or more parameters associated with the respective at least one passive device.