Battery-Triggered RF Switching in Wireless Communication Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered wireless communication devices, particularly IoT devices, face power depletion issues that render them inoperable for radio signal transmission and reception, posing environmental hazards when unretrievable.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device with a switch mechanism that connects either a radio frequency transceiver or a backscattering block to the antenna based on battery voltage thresholds, enabling data transmission via backscattering when the battery cannot power the RF circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the radio frequency transceiver is used for communication, then data transmission capability is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between two communication modes (RF transceiver and backscattering) based on battery voltage thresholds. The system transitions from active RF communication when battery is sufficient to passive backscattering when battery is depleted, optimizing energy usage while maintaining communication capability throughout the device lifetime
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameter of the communication module based on battery status. When battery voltage exceeds the threshold, the RF transceiver operates in active mode; when voltage drops below the threshold, the system switches to backscattering mode, effectively adapting communication parameters to energy availability
2Use of energy by moving object
If the device operates in backscattering mode, then power consumption is reduced, but communication range and data transmission capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The backscattering block acts as an intermediary communication mechanism that enables passive data transmission using reflected RF signals from external readers. This intermediary approach allows the device to communicate with reduced power consumption by leveraging external energy sources rather than generating RF signals independently
3Reliability
If the battery is depleted below threshold voltage, then the radio frequency transceiver cannot function, but the device becomes an environmental hazard if unretrievable
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by switching to backscattering mode before the battery is completely depleted. This early transition allows the device to maintain communication capability for location and retrieval purposes, preventing it from becoming a lost environmental hazard while the battery still has sufficient voltage to power the switching mechanism
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 location and retrieval of non-functional IoT devices by allowing data transmission through backscattering, preventing environmental hazards and maintaining device functionality despite battery depletion.
Implementation Method 1
a backscattering block, for generating reflected signals for transmission through the antenna in response to received RF signals
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device comprises: an antenna; a radio frequency transceiver, for generating signals for transmission through the antenna, the radio frequency transceiver being connectable to the antenna through a switch; a backscattering block, for generating reflected signals for transmission through the antenna in response to received RF signals, the backscattering block being connectable to the antenna through said switch; and a battery. The switch is controlled by an output voltage of the battery, such that the radio frequency transceiver is connected to the antenna through the switch when the output voltage of the battery exceeds a threshold voltage, and the backscattering block is connected to the antenna through the switch when the output voltage of the battery is below the threshold voltage.