Full Duplex Body-Coupled Communication Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body-coupled communication systems face limitations in achieving simultaneous transmission and reception due to half-duplex methodologies, which restrict channel bandwidth utilization and introduce self-interference, making it difficult to communicate with multiple devices efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a switch arrangement that offsets clock signals between transmit and receive parts, allowing for full-duplex operation by switching between transmission and reception during a clock cycle, utilizing a single oscillator and transistor-based switch arrangements to prevent signal coupling and optimize hardware resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If half-duplex methodology is used to avoid self-interference, then receiver performance is maintained, but channel bandwidth utilization is restricted and communication efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic switching action by alternating between transmit and receive modes during different time slots within a clock cycle. The switch arrangement periodically connects the body-coupled communication electrode to either the transmit part or receive part based on timing signals, enabling full-duplex operation through time-division multiplexing while preventing self-interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the clock cycle into distinct transmit and receive time slots, dividing the communication operation into separate temporal segments. This segmentation allows the system to allocate specific time portions for transmission and reception, enabling simultaneous full-duplex communication while maintaining isolation between transmit and receive paths
2Object-affected harmful factors
If half-duplex operation with alternating transmit and receive cycles is implemented, then self-interference is avoided, but communication delay increases and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic switching at a high clock rate, alternating between transmit and receive modes within each clock cycle. This rapid periodic switching enables simultaneous full-duplex operation where transmit and receive occur in different time slots of the same clock cycle, eliminating communication delays while preventing self-interference through temporal separation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic switching control where the switch arrangement rapidly transitions between transmit and receive states based on clock signal timing. This dynamic operation allows the system to adaptively manage transmit and receive operations in real-time, enabling full-duplex communication without the static delays inherent in traditional half-duplex systems
3Productivity
If full-duplex operation is implemented, then channel bandwidth is maximized, but self-interference and isolation requirements increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the complexity issue by using periodic time-division switching instead of continuous isolation mechanisms. The switch arrangement periodically connects to transmit or receive paths based on clock timing, achieving full-duplex bandwidth utilization while preventing self-interference through temporal separation rather than complex spatial or frequency isolation
Solution Approach 2:
The switch arrangement acts as an intermediary element between the body-coupled communication electrode and the transmit/receive parts. This intermediary component enables full-duplex operation by dynamically routing signals to appropriate paths, simplifying the isolation requirement compared to implementing complex filters or isolators
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
This solution enables full-duplex communication, maximizing channel bandwidth, reducing self-interference, and allowing communication with multiple devices without delay, while being simple to implement and efficient in hardware usage.
Implementation Method 1
BCC allows exchange of information between a plurality of devices which are at or in close proximity of a body of a human or an animal. This can be achieved by capacitive or galvanic coupling of low-energy electric fields onto the body surface.
Implementation Method 2
BCC allows exchange of information between a plurality of devices which are at or in close proximity of a body of a human or an animal. This can be achieved by capacitive or galvanic coupling of low-energy electric fields onto the body surface.
Implementation Method 3
a clock signal offset controller configured to offset the clock signal used by one of the receive part and transmit part with respect to the clock signal used by the other of the receive part and transmit part
Implementation Method 4
Body-coupled communication (BCC) uses the human body as communication channel. It enables wireless communication over a human body between devices that are in contact with that human body. Signals are conveyed over the body instead of through the air.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication apparatus comprising a receiver and a transmitter for receiving/transmitting signals in the range of 100kHz to 100MHz. A controller is configured to cause a clock signal used by one of the receiver and the transmitter part with to be offset with respect to a clock signal used by the other of the receiver and the transmitter. A switch arrangement is provided between an input and output, and the receiver and the transmitter. The switch arrangement is configured to switch between the receiver and the transmitter during a clock cycle such that, in use, part of a clock cycle is available for signal transmission and part of the clock cycle is available for signal reception.