IoT Wake-Up Decoder Using LTE Subframe Energy Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions lack an efficient and cost-effective method for city-scale Internet of Things (IoT) control operations that can handle fine-grained signaling across heterogeneous sensors and radio platforms, while also being energy-efficient and compatible with existing infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a decoder system that uses an energy detector and processor to interpret patterns of energy levels in subframes within existing communication protocols like LTE, allowing for energy-efficient communication and error detection/correction, and enabling IoT devices to conserve energy by harvesting signal energy and responding to wake-up commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing communication infrastructure is utilized for IoT control operations, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but energy efficiency and fine-grained signaling capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The communication frame is segmented into multiple subframes with different energy characteristics. Normal subframes carry regular cellular traffic while Almost Blank Subframes (ABS) are inserted at specific positions to encode wake-up signals. This segmentation allows the system to reuse existing LTE infrastructure while embedding energy-efficient signaling capabilities through strategic placement of low-energy subframes that IoT devices can detect to determine when to wake from sleep mode.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing communication infrastructure is utilized for IoT control operations, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but fine-grained signaling capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the signaling capability by encoding information in the time positions of ABS within a frame structure. Different wake-up signals are represented by placing ABS at different subframe positions (e.g., first ABS at subframe 2, second ABS at subframe 7). This dimensional approach allows the system to convey multiple distinct signals using the same infrastructure without requiring additional frequency or spatial resources.
3Use of energy by moving object
If IoT devices remain in energy conserving state, then energy consumption is reduced, but ability to receive commands is limited
Solution Approach 1:
IoT devices autonomously monitor the energy levels of received subframes and automatically wake up when detecting an ABS pattern that indicates a wake-up signal. The device self-determines when to transition from sleep mode based on the detected energy pattern, eliminating the need for continuous active listening while ensuring timely response to commands. This self-service mechanism optimizes energy consumption while maintaining command reception capability.
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 approach enables efficient city-wide IoT communication using existing infrastructure, targeting individual sensors, and maintaining high transmission rates with error detection and correction, while reducing energy consumption and infrastructure costs.
Implementation Method 1
an energy detector and a processor. The energy detector is configured to detect average subframe energy levels of a plurality of subframes during reception of at least one frame of data
Implementation Method 2
The energy detector can, in some embodiments, include an RF energy harvester circuit configured to operate in the frequency band of 700 MHz
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed apparatus and methods can be used to provide an energy efficient Internet of Things (IoT) communication method that can be deployed on a city-wide scale using existing infrastructure and that can target individual sensors or devices. An example apparatus is a decoder including an energy detector and a processor. The energy detector is configured to detect average subframe energy levels of a plurality of subframes during reception of at least one frame of data defined by a first communications protocol (e.g., Long-Term Evolution (LTE)). The average subframe energy levels of the plurality of subframes form a pattern of relatively higher and lower energy levels. The processor is configured to interpret, according to a second communications protocol, the pattern of energy levels to decode a block of data represented by the pattern of energy levels. Another embodiment is a method producing index modulation signals of the second communications protocol.