BLE-UWB Communication Device Standby Power Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems that use Ultra Wide Band (UWB) wireless communication for distance measurement in authentication processes, such as in-vehicle equipment and portable devices, face increased power consumption due to prolonged standby times during signal reception.
Innovation Solution
A communication device and system that integrate Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and UWB communication sections, where UWB communication is initiated based on a response signal from a BLE communication, reducing standby time and power consumption by synchronizing start timings and sharing encryption key information without establishing a full BLE connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UWB communication is performed for distance measurement in authentication, then authentication accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases due to prolonged standby time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs BLE communication and key exchange before UWB communication to preliminarily establish authentication context. This allows UWB communication to start immediately when needed without prolonged standby, as the receiving device is already prepared with necessary authentication keys from the prior BLE phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses intermittent BLE advertising and scanning phases followed by on-demand UWB distance measurement. Instead of maintaining continuous standby for UWB reception, the system periodically activates UWB communication only when BLE triggers indicate authentication is needed, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining measurement capability.
2Reliability
If one device stands by to receive UWB signals for distance measurement, then distance measurement capability is maintained, but standby time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving device preliminarily obtains authentication keys and prepares UWB communication parameters during BLE communication phases. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for prolonged standby before UWB distance measurement, as the device is already configured and ready to receive and process UWB signals immediately when triggered.
Solution Approach 2:
BLE communication acts as an intermediary that triggers and coordinates UWB communication. Instead of direct prolonged standby for UWB reception, the BLE layer mediates by establishing connection, exchanging keys, and then triggering UWB distance measurement only when necessary, thereby reducing unnecessary standby time while maintaining measurement capability.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a communication device comprising: a BLE communication section configured to perform BLE communication with another communication device different from the communication device, the BLE communication being wireless communication conforming to BLE communication standards; a UWB communication section configured to perform UWB communication with the another communication device, the UWB communication being wireless communication conforming to UWB communication standards; and a control section configured to control the BLE communication of the BLE communication section and the UWB communication of the UWB communication section, wherein the control section performs control to start the UWB communication based on a response signal transmitted by one of the BLE communication section and the another communication device as a response to a request signal transmitted by other one of the BLE communication section and the another communication device during the BLE communication.