NFC Router Modulation Detection via Initial Symbol Decoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Near-field communication devices in card mode face challenges in efficiently detecting the modulation type due to time-consuming configuration processes, which can result in missed requests, especially with multi-standard terminals and transponders capable of various modulations.

Innovation Solution

A method that configures the decoder based on initial symbols received, using hexadecimal notation to determine the modulation type within a short time frame, allowing for immediate communication without waiting for complete frames or switching between modulation types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the router switches successively to different modulations to detect the terminal type, then the device can adapt to various modulation standards, but the detection time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodulation type detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the router to listen to and detect modulation types before actually switching to them. The router monitors the initial symbols transmitted by the terminal to identify the modulation type (Type A, Type B, or Type C) and then configures itself accordingly, avoiding the need to sequentially switch through all possible modulation types. This detection happens in parallel with the terminal's transmission, significantly reducing detection time while maintaining adaptability across multiple modulation standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal sends requests according to different modulation types sequentially, then the terminal can communicate with dedicated transponders, but the communication process becomes slower

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-standard communication capabilityVSAvoidcommunication speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by having the terminal perform preliminary action - transmitting initial symbols that encode modulation type information before the actual data transmission. The router detects this modulation type from the initial symbols and configures itself accordingly, allowing both parties to establish the correct modulation type rapidly without sequential switching. This enables fast communication setup while maintaining the ability to communicate across multiple modulation standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If sufficient time is left between modulation types for configuration scanning, then both terminal and transponder can detect each other's modulation type, but the overall configuration process becomes longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodulation detection reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration process duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining the modulation type detection function with the initial data transmission. Instead of separating detection and transmission into distinct time intervals, the router detects the modulation type from the initial symbols that are already being transmitted for data purposes. This eliminates the need for additional time intervals between modulation types, as the detection happens concurrently with the transmission of initial data symbols, thereby maintaining reliability while significantly reducing overall configuration time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2761531B1Configuring the type of modulation for a near-field communication router
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 PROTON WORLD INT
  • EP2761531B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2761531B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2761531B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for configuring a first near-field communication device (1) in accordance with the type of modulation transmitted by a second device (4), wherein: a decoder (14) of the first device is configured (22) to decode a type B modulation by over-encoding; a signal received during a first time slot corresponding to the duration of a symbol of an initialization frame is decoded (23); and the first device is configured (16) in accordance with the value of the decoded symbol in order to determine the type of modulation.