BLE Advertisement Packet Power Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices face challenges in adjusting the transmission range of advertisement packets effectively, particularly when multiple devices need to be connected simultaneously, as existing protocols do not allow for dynamic power control based on the specific application requirements, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption and connection speed.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method to dynamically adjust the transmission power of advertisement packets based on the application transmitting them, allowing each packet to have a desired range of reception, thereby controlling the range at which they are received by listening devices, which can be done by determining the application causing the advertisement packet to be transmitted and responsively adjusting the transmission power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If transmission power is increased to extend advertisement packet range, then connection speed improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transmission power adjustment where the BLE device changes its advertisement packet transmission power based on real-time connection status and application requirements. The system transitions from static fixed power to dynamic adaptive power control, allowing optimization of connection speed while minimizing power consumption by adjusting power levels according to actual needs rather than maintaining constant high power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission power parameter of advertisement packets based on application type and connection status. Different applications (e.g., audio streaming vs. data transfer) receive different power levels, and the system adjusts power parameters dynamically during operation to balance connection speed and power consumption, rather than using a single fixed power setting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If transmission power is increased to connect multiple devices simultaneously, then device connectivity improves, but battery life deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice connectivityVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different transmission power levels to different applications and connection scenarios. Instead of using uniform high power for all connections, the system assigns appropriate power levels locally to each application based on its requirements, allowing multiple devices to connect with optimized power usage for each specific connection rather than maximum power for all.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts transmission power based on the number of connected devices and their specific requirements. When multiple devices are connected, the system optimizes power distribution across connections rather than maintaining constant high power, enabling versatile multi-device connectivity while preserving battery life through adaptive power management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If fixed transmission power is used for all applications, then protocol simplicity is maintained, but power management efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol simplicityVSAvoidpower management efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces parameter changes (transmission power levels) based on application type while maintaining the underlying BLE protocol structure. The system adds power level selection based on application categories (audio, data, location services) without fundamentally changing the protocol, thus improving power management efficiency while keeping the protocol relatively simple through structured parameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3170348B1Range management with bluetooth low energy
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3170348B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3170348B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3170348B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An example method for adjusting the range of transmission of advertising packets is disclosed. In particular, method includes receiving, from an application executing on a mobile computing device, a request. The request may include a request to transmit an advertisement packet via a short-range wireless device of the computing device. Additionally, the request may include a power level for the transmission of the advertisement packet via the short-range wireless device. Additionally, the method may include causing the transmission, via the short-range wireless device, of the advertisement packet. The short-range wireless device may be configured to transmit the advertisement packet at a transmission power level less than or equal to the requested power level. Further, the requested power level may be less than or equal to a nominal power level for the short-range wireless device.