Injection-Locked Oscillator Sync for Low-EIRP Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless network technologies face challenges in achieving long-range communication with low power consumption and high data rates, particularly in wireless sensor networks, due to the limitations of large crystal reference oscillators.
Innovation Solution
The use of low-power Injection Locked Oscillators (ILOs) to frequency lock transmissions and system clocks, allowing for communication over long ranges with low transmit Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) by injection locking the system clocks to a remote reference oscillator and its harmonics, eliminating the need for crystal reference oscillators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crystal reference oscillators are used for frequency reference, then frequency stability is improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the crystal reference oscillator from the transmitter design entirely. Instead of using a local crystal oscillator, the system uses an injection-locked oscillator that is frequency-controlled by receiving a reference signal from a remote station, thereby eliminating the power-consuming and complex crystal component while maintaining frequency stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary reference signal transmitted from a remote station to control the frequency of the local oscillator. This intermediary signal serves as the frequency reference, replacing the need for a local crystal oscillator and enabling low-power operation while maintaining accurate frequency control through the injection-locking mechanism.
2Use of energy by moving object
If transmit power is reduced for low EIRP, then power consumption is improved, but communication range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the oscillator by using injection-locking to achieve precise frequency control. This allows the system to operate at lower power levels with optimized transmit power, as the frequency stability is maintained through the injection-locking mechanism rather than requiring high power to overcome oscillator drift, thereby extending effective communication range despite low EIRP.
3Productivity
If data rate is increased for high throughput, then productivity is improved, but bit error rate increases due to timing synchronization challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the injection-locking mechanism where the remote reference signal continuously controls the frequency and timing of the local system clock. This feedback loop maintains precise timing synchronization even at high data rates, preventing timing drift and jitter that would otherwise cause bit errors, thereby enabling high throughput with low bit error rates.
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 high data rate communication over long ranges with low power consumption and low bit error rates, reducing the complexity and power requirements of network components.
Implementation Method 1
injection locking the transmitter to, for example, the third harmonic of the remote reference oscillator
Implementation Method 2
injection locking the system clocks to the fundamental of a remote reference oscillator
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless network connection system remotely connects to a network without the use of crystal reference oscillators. This provides communication at long range using a low transmit Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP). Operation is obtained through a combination of injection locking the system clock to the fundamental frequency of a remote reference oscillator, injection locking the transmitter to the third harmonic of the remote reference oscillator, a micro-watt RF receiver, and a network connection.