Dynamic Transmission Power Adjustment for Bluetooth Signal Degradation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Short-range wireless communication devices, such as those using Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy, experience signal degradation due to human body occlusion, leading to reduced antenna gain and increased voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), which affects the quality of audio streams and other data transmissions.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that adjust transmission power based on retransmission rate and antenna gain measurements to mitigate signal loss, using a processor to determine when to increase or decrease transmission power to maintain optimal signal strength while adhering to Adjacent Channel Power (ACP) standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transmission power is increased to overcome signal loss due to human body occlusion, then signal strength is improved, but spectral emission standards may be violated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidspectral emission compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transmission power adjustment by continuously monitoring antenna peak gain measurements and retransmission rates. The system transitions from static power levels to adaptive power control, modifying transmission power in real-time based on detected occlusion conditions and communication quality metrics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmission power parameter based on measured antenna performance and retransmission statistics. By adjusting this critical parameter dynamically, the system optimizes signal strength while preventing excessive power levels that would violate spectral emission standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If transmission power is increased to maintain signal quality during occlusion, then communication reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the transmission power parameter based on actual communication conditions. During occlusion events, power is increased only when necessary to maintain reliability, and reduced when conditions improve, thereby optimizing the trade-off between communication reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from retransmission rate monitoring and antenna gain measurements to control transmission power adjustments. This closed-loop control ensures power is increased only when communication quality degrades, preventing unnecessary energy consumption during normal operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If transmission power is dynamically adjusted based on retransmission rate and antenna gain, then signal quality is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by monitoring retransmission rates and antenna peak gain measurements, then using this information to adjust transmission power. This feedback mechanism maintains signal quality through automated adjustments without requiring complex manual intervention or sophisticated algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of transmission power based on its own performance metrics (retransmission rate and antenna gain). The device monitors its own communication quality and autonomously modifies power levels, eliminating the need for external control systems or complex coordination infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3892040B1Mitigating spectral emission conditions for high transmission output power during degraded antenna peak gain
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3892040B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3892040B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3892040B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may include a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The at least one processor may be configured to determine a retransmission rate associated with retransmission of one or more packets by the communications device. The at least one processor may be configured to determine a measurement associated with antenna gain of at least one antenna of the apparatus. The at least one processor may be configured to adjust a transmission power of the apparatus based on the retransmission rate and based on the measurement.