End-of-Burst Signaling for Low-Power BLE Audio Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies face challenges with high power consumption, limited range, and susceptibility to interference, particularly in applications involving wireless audio streaming where peripheral devices like earbuds do not know the end of a data burst, leading to unnecessary power consumption and reduced battery life.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an end of burst (EOB) indication in audio packets to signal the end of data transmission, allowing peripheral devices to power down instead of remaining active during inactivity time outs, thereby conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If peripheral devices remain active during inactivity time outs to ensure continuous data reception, then data reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata reception reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the central device sends an End of Burst indication to the peripheral device after transmitting audio data. This feedback signal allows the peripheral device to reliably determine when data transmission has concluded, enabling it to safely enter low-power mode without risking missed data packets, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The central device performs the preliminary action of sending an End of Burst indication before actually stopping data transmission. This advance notification allows the peripheral device to prepare for power-down in advance, ensuring that no data is lost while enabling timely power savings, thereby balancing reliability and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If peripheral devices use inactivity time out mechanisms to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but data loss may occur if the burst continues longer than expected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The End of Burst indication serves as a feedback mechanism that confirms to the peripheral device when the data burst has truly ended. This eliminates uncertainty about whether to wait for more data or power down, preventing both data loss from premature shutdown and unnecessary power consumption from extended waiting periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The central device sends the End of Burst indication as a preliminary signal before actually terminating the data stream. This allows the peripheral device to confidently enter power-saving mode immediately after receiving the indication, knowing that no additional data will arrive, thus preventing data loss while maximizing power savings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12580645B2End of burst indication

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a central device may transmit a start indication that indicates a start of a burst. The central device may transmit the burst. The central device may transmit an end indication that indicates an end of the burst. Numerous other aspects are described.