DECT ULE Range Extender for Low-Power Software Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing DECT ULE standards require end-to-end links for software updates, leading to increased power consumption in portable devices due to prolonged activity during the update process, which is inefficient for battery-powered devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a ULE range extender that locally stores software update data and communicates it to portable devices without establishing concurrent end-to-end links, allowing devices to return to a low power state quickly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If end-to-end links are established for software updates, then software update reliability is improved, but power consumption increases due to prolonged device activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware update deliveryVSAvoidportable device power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The range extender receives and stores software update data from the base station before the portable device needs it. This preliminary action allows the portable device to receive updates from the extender without establishing a prolonged end-to-end link with the base station, reducing the time the device must remain active and thus lowering power consumption while ensuring update reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The range extender acts as an intermediary node between the base station and portable device. It receives update instructions from the base station, obtains the update data, stores it locally, and then transmits it to the portable device. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for the portable device to maintain concurrent links with both base station and extender, resolving the contradiction between reliable update delivery and power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If concurrent links are established between base station and portable device, then software update completeness is improved, but link establishment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware update completenessVSAvoidlink establishment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The range extender pre-establishes a link with the base station to receive update instructions and data before the portable device requires the update. By completing the data acquisition phase in advance, the extender eliminates the need for the portable device to participate in prolonged link establishment and data transfer processes, reducing time loss while ensuring complete update delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The software update transmission process is segmented into two independent phases: (1) base station to range extender (data acquisition phase), and (2) range extender to portable device (distribution phase). This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, reducing overall time loss by eliminating the need for concurrent link management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If portable device remains active for extended period, then software update reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate reception reliabilityVSAvoidportable device energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The range extender performs preliminary actions by receiving and storing the complete software update data from the base station before the portable device needs to receive it. This allows the portable device to briefly wake up, receive the update from the extender's local storage, and immediately return to low-power state, maintaining update reliability while minimizing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The range extender serves as a mediator that buffers the software update data, allowing the portable device to interact with it briefly without needing to maintain extended active communication with the base station. This intermediary buffering mechanism ensures reliable update reception while enabling the portable device to minimize its active time and thus reduce energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4671970A1Software updates via range extender

Publication Date: 2025.12.31 SYNAPTICS INC

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AI summary

This disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for wireless communications. The present implementations more specifically relate to providing software updates via range extenders within digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT) ultra low energy (ULE) home automation networks (HANs) without increasing the power consumption of portable devices. In some implementations, the range extender may receive instructions associated with a first software update via a first link with a first device, may obtain data associated with the first software update, and may release the first link upon obtaining the data associated with the first software update. The range extender may transmit the instructions and the data associated with the first software update via a second link with a second device and may release the second link upon receiving confirmation of the instructions and the data associated with the first software update by the second device.