Camera Transceiver Isolation via Front-End Module Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In smart home environments, multiple transceivers within devices experience poor isolation due to close physical spacing and shared frequency bands, leading to communication interference and potential damage from excessive input power, which affects performance and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a camera assembly with distinct antenna locations and bypass circuitry in the front-end module (FEM) to manage signal transmission access, ensuring that signals are either amplified or not based on the activity status of co-existing transceivers, thereby reducing interference and protecting sensitive components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If multiple transceivers are placed in close physical spacing within a device, then device integration and compactness are improved, but communication interference and isolation between transceivers worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidcommunication interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signal path of each transceiver by introducing separate RF switches and isolation circuits for each transceiver component. This segmentation allows each transceiver to operate independently with dedicated signal routing, preventing interference between closely spaced transceivers while maintaining device compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces RF switches and isolation circuits as intermediary components between transceivers and antennas. These intermediaries actively manage signal flow and provide isolation when transceivers are transmitting, preventing harmful interference while allowing the transceivers to remain in close physical proximity for device integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If transceivers share the same or close frequency bands, then spectral efficiency is improved, but harmful interference and potential damage from excessive input power worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidexcessive input power damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where each transceiver monitors the transmission status of other transceivers operating in close frequency bands. When a transceiver detects that another transceiver is transmitting, it adjusts its signal routing through RF switches to avoid interference and prevent excessive power exposure, enabling safe frequency band sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic signal routing through controllable RF switches that adaptively change connection paths based on real-time transmission status. This dynamic adjustment allows transceivers to share frequency bands efficiently while actively preventing harmful interference and power exposure by redirecting signals when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If amplifiers are used to boost received signals, then communication sensitivity is improved, but vulnerability to damage from excessive input power during other transceiver transmission worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal reception sensitivityVSAvoidcomponent protection from damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary protection by placing isolation circuits and controllable RF switches before the amplifier stage. These components proactively block excessive input power from reaching the amplifier when other transceivers are transmitting, while allowing the amplifier to function at full sensitivity during normal reception conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces controllable RF switches and isolation circuits as intermediary protection layers between the antenna and amplifier. These intermediaries act as protective barriers that can be activated to block harmful signals during other transceiver transmissions, while remaining transparent during normal operation to preserve amplifier sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9679454B2Systems, methods, and devices for managing coexistence of multiple transceiver devices using control signals

Publication Date: 2017.06.13 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A camera device communicates using a first transceiver configured to transmit and receive, over a first communication protocols, signals for configuring the camera device. Furthermore, the camera device communicates with one or more smart home devices using a second transceiver configured to transmit and receive, over a second communication protocols, signals comprising one or more of alerts, control signals and status information to and from the one or more smart home devices. Furthermore, the camera device communicates using a third transceiver configured to transmit and receive, over a third communication protocols, data corresponding to video captured by the camera device.