Mobile PLC Impedance Switching for Shared Power and Data Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile devices require separate connection terminals or pins for data exchange, increasing their size and limiting efficient data transfer capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a variable impedance system in mobile devices to switch between low-speed and high-speed power line communication (PLC) modes, allowing data and power transfer through the same connection terminals without additional pins, optimizing size and data transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate connection terminals or pins are used for data exchange, then data transfer capability is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data exchange and power transfer functions into a single connection terminal, eliminating the need for separate data pins. The power line serves dual purposes: delivering power and transmitting data through modulation, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining data transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection terminal is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a power delivery interface and a data communication channel. By modulating the power line signal, the system enables universal use of the same physical connection for both energy and information transfer.
2Productivity
If impedance is varied for high-speed data transfer, then data transfer rate is improved, but power transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts impedance based on the operational mode. During data transfer phases, impedance is optimized for high-speed communication; during power transfer phases, impedance is optimized for efficient energy delivery. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to achieve both high data transfer rates and maintained power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching between different impedance states corresponding to different operational modes. The system alternates between power transfer mode and data transfer mode, with impedance adjustments synchronized to these periodic transitions, ensuring optimal performance for each function while minimizing energy loss.
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
Enables reduced device size and faster data exchange by utilizing the same connection terminals for both power and data transfer, improving data transfer rates and reducing transfer time compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a variable impedance device connected to the connection terminal, the variable impedance device configured to vary an impedance
Data Source
AI summary
A first mobile device including a connection terminal configured to electrically connect to a second mobile device, a variable impedance device connected to the connection terminal, the variable impedance device configured to vary an impedance, processing circuitry configured to determine a power line communication (PLC) mode between the first mobile device and the second mobile device to be one of a low-speed PLC mode or a high-speed PLC mode, and control the impedance of the variable impedance device according to the determined PLC mode, and a PLC modem configured to receive power from the second mobile device or communicate data with the second mobile device based on the determined PLC mode.