Dynamic Transmit Power Control for Low-Power Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems for low power devices, such as hearing aids, suffer from inefficient power management, leading to wasted energy due to fixed transmit power settings that do not adapt to varying link quality.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with dynamic power adjustment based on link quality, where both devices can adjust their transmit power to optimize energy consumption by measuring and regulating the link quality, enabling power-saving modes and maintaining reliable connections at varying distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed transmit power is used to ensure reliable communication at all distances, then connection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmit power adjustment where the transmitting device continuously monitors link quality metrics (such as signal-to-noise ratio, bit error rate, or packet loss) and adapts its transmit power level in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to use higher power only when link quality degrades, rather than maintaining high power continuously, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the receiving device measures link quality and communicates this information back to the transmitting device. Based on this feedback, the transmitting device adjusts its power level accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures reliable communication when needed while minimizing power consumption during good link conditions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If transmit power is reduced to save energy, then power consumption decreases, but link quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts transmit power based on real-time link conditions rather than using a fixed low power setting. When link quality is good, low power is used to save energy; when link quality deteriorates (due to distance, obstacles, or interference), the system automatically increases power to maintain acceptable link quality, thus resolving the contradiction between power savings and link reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmit power parameter adaptively based on measured link quality metrics. By monitoring parameters such as received signal strength indicator (RSSI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or error rates, and adjusting power accordingly, the system optimizes the trade-off between energy consumption and communication reliability.
3Reliability
If conservative power settings are used to account for component tolerances and distance variations, then system robustness is improved, but power efficiency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary link quality assessments during initialization or connection establishment to determine appropriate baseline power levels, rather than using overly conservative fixed settings from the start. This preliminary characterization allows the system to optimize power usage while maintaining robustness for the specific installation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using static conservative power settings, the system dynamically adapts power levels based on actual operating conditions including component variations and distance changes. This dynamic adaptation maintains system robustness while eliminating the power waste inherent in always using conservative settings.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a communication system comprising a first and a second communication device, each comprising transmit and receive units for establishing a wireless link between the devices. The invention further relates to a method, a data processing system and a medium. The object of the present invention is to control power consumption in a short range wireless link. The problem is solved in that at least the first communication device comprises a control unit for dynamically adjusting the transmit power of its transmit unit based on a measure of the quality of the link. This has the advantage of enabling an adaptation of the power consumption to the current needs. The invention may e.g. be used for wireless communication between (portable) low power devices, e.g. between a pair of hearing instruments.