Communication Device Power Control via Signal Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication devices consume significant power while waiting to receive signals, particularly in distance measurement technologies like UWB, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control mechanism that reverses the transmission and reception directions of ranging signals and omits the data signal transmission, using different wireless communication standards for notification and ranging signals to reduce power consumption and improve sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the receiver waits for reception of the ranging signal continuously, then the distance measurement can be performed accurately, but the electric power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional ranging signal transmission direction. Instead of the first device transmitting and the second device receiving, the second device transmits the ranging signal and the first device receives it. This inversion allows the first device to enter sleep mode earlier and wake up only when needed to receive the signal, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by having devices enter sleep mode and wake up at specific intervals to transmit or receive ranging signals. The notification signal mechanism triggers periodic wake-up events only when ranging is needed, rather than continuous operation, thereby reducing overall power consumption while ensuring accurate distance measurement when required
2Measurement precision
If the receiver waits for the ranging signal for a long time, then the distance measurement can be performed, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first device transmit a notification signal before the second device transmits the ranging signal. This preliminary notification allows the first device to prepare and wake up at the optimal time to receive the ranging signal, minimizing the waiting time while ensuring the device is ready for accurate measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The notification signal mechanism provides feedback between devices to coordinate their operations. The first device sends a notification that triggers the second device to transmit the ranging signal, creating a feedback loop that synchronizes the timing and reduces unnecessary waiting time while maintaining measurement accuracy
3Device complexity
If the same wireless communication standard is used for both notification and ranging signals, then the system is simpler, but the receiving sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different wireless communication standards for different purposes: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for notification signals and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for ranging signals. Each communication standard is optimized for its specific function, with BLE providing low-power notification and UWB providing high-precision ranging with superior receiving sensitivity, thereby resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and measurement precision
Data Source
AI summary
[Object] To provide a mechanism that makes it possible to reduce electric power to be consumed to wait for reception of signals.[Solution] A communication device comprising a control section configured to perform control in such a manner as to wait for reception of a second signal transmitted from another communication device after a first signal is transmitted to the other communication device.