Short-Range Wireless Distance Ranging IC with Inline Quality Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing short-range wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in distance ranging due to the need for additional data transmission, which increases latency and delays the distance ranging process.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit for a short-range communication reflector device is designed with a processor, tone generator, and power amplifier. This circuit processes incoming tone or packet signals to determine quality indicators (TQI or PQI) and modulates the amplitude of outgoing signals based on these indicators, providing inline quality data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional data transmission is used to convey quality information, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges quality information transmission with the existing tone signal transmission by amplitude-modulating the tone signals to encode quality indicators. This eliminates the need for separate data transmission channels, thereby reducing latency while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The tone signals serve dual functions: conveying distance ranging data and carrying quality information simultaneously through amplitude modulation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated quality data transmission, reducing overall latency.
2Measurement precision
If additional data transmission is used to convey quality information, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines quality information transmission with the existing tone signal transmission infrastructure. By amplitude-modulating the tone signals, the system reuses existing hardware components for dual purposes, avoiding the need for additional dedicated transmission hardware and thus reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing tone signal transmission system is made universal by enabling it to carry both distance ranging data and quality information simultaneously through amplitude modulation, eliminating the need for separate quality data transmission components.
3Productivity
If amplitude modulation is applied to outgoing signals, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies amplitude modulation selectively based on quality indicator thresholds rather than continuously. When quality is sufficient, full amplitude is used for efficient ranging; when quality deteriorates, amplitude is reduced or modulation is skipped, balancing productivity gains with energy consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces the amount of data required to be transmitted, thereby decreasing latency and improving the efficiency of the distance ranging process while also allowing for more accurate distance calculations and reduced power usage.
Implementation Method 1
the processor is configured to instruct the power amplifier to modulate an amplitude of the outgoing tone signal based on the determined TQI
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit (IC) for use in a short-range communication reflector device, the IC comprising a processor, a tone generator and/or packet generator electrically coupled to the processor, and a power amplifier electrically coupled to both the processor and the tone generator and/or packet generator. The processor is configured to process an incoming tone signal, determine a tone quality indicator, TQI, of the incoming tone signal, wherein the processor is configured to instruct the power amplifier to modulate an amplitude of an outgoing tone signal based on the determined TQI. Similarly, for packets the processor is configured to process an incoming packet and determine a packet quality indicator, PQI, of the incoming packet, wherein the processor is configured to instruct the power amplifier to modulate an amplitude of an outgoing packet based on the determined PQI.