Synchronous IoT Frame Structure for Low-Power Uplink Triggering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ambient Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices face challenges in efficiently supporting synchronous operation due to high error rates, missed communications, and high power consumption, particularly when using asynchronous operations without power amplifiers.

Innovation Solution

A frame structure is introduced that includes resources for primary and secondary synchronization signals, physical broadcast channels, downlink and uplink channels, and uplink trigger messages, enabling ambient IoT devices to acquire network timing and initiate communication sessions efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If asynchronous operation is used without power amplifiers, then device complexity is reduced, but error rate increases and communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements synchronous operation with periodic frame structures, where ambient IoT devices transmit uplink trigger messages at specific synchronized time intervals. This periodic timing structure improves communication reliability by ensuring transmissions occur during designated uplink periods, reducing errors compared to asynchronous operations while avoiding continuous power amplifier usage that would increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If synchronous operation is implemented, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables ambient IoT devices to operate in synchronous mode partially - they transmit uplink trigger messages during synchronized uplink periods without continuously using power amplifiers. The devices can selectively activate power amplifiers only when triggering communications are needed, rather than maintaining continuous synchronous transmission, thus achieving improved reliability without excessive power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If uplink trigger messages are transmitted without synchronized frame structure, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to missed communications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a pre-defined frame structure with designated uplink trigger message transmission periods before actual communications occur. Ambient IoT devices are configured with this synchronized frame structure in advance, allowing them to efficiently transmit uplink trigger messages during appropriate time windows without complex real-time coordination, thus improving communication productivity while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12526102B2Frame structure for synchronous operation of an ambient internet-of-things device

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, an ambient Internet-of-Things (IoT) device may receive configuration information indicating resources associated with an uplink trigger message that initiates a communication session between the ambient IoT device and a network device. The ambient IoT device may transmit the uplink trigger message to the network device using the resources associated with the uplink trigger message. Numerous other aspects are described.