Bias Tee Antenna Interconnect for SAR Sensor Interrupt Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing SAR proximity sensor implementations face challenges in managing antenna transmission power in multiple antenna systems due to the need for multiple interrupt signals, which is not supported by the M.2 standard's single interrupt pin, leading to design complexity and inefficient power management.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves using an antenna interconnect to communicate the proximity sensor interrupt to the radio/connectivity module without additional interconnect pins, allowing individual power management for multiple antennas by connecting the SAR sensor via a bias tee port.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple interrupt signals are used for multiple antennas, then individual power management for each antenna is enabled, but device complexity increases due to additional interconnect pins

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual power managementVSAvoidinterconnect design
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple interrupt signals into a single shared interrupt pin by using unique timing patterns or sequences for each antenna. Instead of requiring separate physical interrupt pins for each antenna, the system merges them onto one pin and distinguishes between different antennas through temporal differentiation of their interrupt signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single interrupt pin is designed to serve multiple functions by handling interrupt signals from multiple different antennas. The pin becomes a universal interface that can detect and differentiate interrupts from any connected antenna through the use of unique identification patterns or timing sequences associated with each antenna.

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

2Reliability

If host processor involvement is used for SAR detection, then processing capability is available, but response time increases due to additional processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSAR detection accuracyVSAvoidinterrupt response time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the SAR detection and interrupt handling functionality from the host processor and implements it directly in the radio connectivity module. This extraction allows the critical interrupt response function to operate independently and immediately without waiting for host processor availability, while the host processor retains its role in higher-level processing and decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The radio connectivity module is designed to autonomously handle SAR detection and interrupt response without requiring host processor involvement. The module independently monitors its own operational state, detects SAR conditions, and generates appropriate interrupt signals, enabling self-service operation that reduces response time and host processor burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 simplifies routing and interconnect design, eliminates host processor involvement, and enables effective antenna power regulation, ensuring compliance with SAR regulations and maintaining communication quality.

Implementation Method 1

connecting the SAR sensor via a bias tee port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBias tee circuit:

Data Source

PatentEP4372526B1Devices and methods for communicating a proximity sensor interrupt on a radio frequency transmission line
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 ALTERA CORP
  • EP4372526B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4372526B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4372526B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Devices and methods for providing communication including: an antenna; a proximity sensor configured to detect human presence near the antenna and generate an interrupt signal when human presence is detected; a radio frequency (RF) circuitry configured to provide an RF signal via a transmission line to the antenna for transmission over the air; a voltage source configured to provide a power supply voltage to the proximity sensor; and a voltage-change detection circuitry configured to detect the interrupt signal; a first bias tee circuit electrically connecting the antenna, the proximity sensor, and the transmission line to each other; a second bias tee circuit electrically connecting the RF circuitry, the voltage source, the voltage-change detection circuitry, and the transmission line to each other; and a modem circuitry configured to determine a transmission power of the antenna based on the interrupt signal, the modem circuitry electrically connected to the RF circuitry.