Boosted NFC Device Timing Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Near field communication (NFC) devices face challenges in ensuring communication with malfunctioning or non-standard devices and in managing power consumption across different operational modes, particularly in meeting timing requirements and maintaining low power usage during sleep modes.
Innovation Solution
A boosted NFC device is designed with an electronic circuit, transceiver circuit, and memory that determines the timing requirements of a reading device based on request signals, activates the electronic circuit using energy from an electromagnetic field or a battery, and ensures the circuit can receive and process signals by comparing activation characteristics stored in memory with the determined timing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the electronic circuit is activated using energy from an electromagnetic field, then power consumption is reduced, but the timing requirement may not be met due to activation delay
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the electromagnetic field in advance and activating the electronic circuit before the actual NFC communication begins. The microcontroller is awakened from sleep mode and the electronic circuit is powered up during the field detection phase, ensuring readiness before timing-critical operations start.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its activation strategy based on detected conditions. When an electromagnetic field is detected, the system activates the electronic circuit with higher priority. The activation characteristic stored in memory is dynamically compared with current timing requirements to determine the appropriate activation strategy.
2Reliability
If the electronic circuit is kept active to meet timing requirements, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic activation instead of continuous operation. The microcontroller enters sleep mode between NFC communication events and is periodically awakened when an electromagnetic field is detected. This periodic action maintains communication reliability while significantly reducing average power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting electromagnetic fields and triggering circuit activation without continuous host controller intervention. The transceiver circuit monitors the electromagnetic environment and autonomously activates the electronic circuit when needed, reducing overall system power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If components enter deep sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but activation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary activation of the electronic circuit during the electromagnetic field detection phase, before actual NFC data transmission begins. This preliminary action ensures that when deep sleep mode components need to activate, the critical path components are already ready, minimizing the impact of deep sleep activation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different activation strategies to different components. The transceiver circuit remains in low-power mode while the electronic circuit is selectively activated based on timing requirements. Not all components enter deep sleep mode simultaneously, allowing critical components to maintain readiness while others conserve energy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the system waits for standard timing requirements to elapse before activation, then compatibility with standard devices is improved, but communication with non-standard devices fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its activation timing based on the specific device being communicated with. By storing activation characteristics in memory and comparing them with detected timing requirements, the system can adjust its activation strategy in real-time to match either standard or non-standard device timing, ensuring broad compatibility and reliable communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its activation parameters based on the communication partner. Different activation characteristics are stored in memory for different device types, and the system selects and applies the appropriate parameters dynamically. This allows the same hardware to reliably communicate with both standard and non-standard devices by adjusting activation timing parameters.
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 reliable communication with devices that may not meet standard timing requirements and reduces power consumption by allowing components to enter deep sleep modes while maintaining communication capabilities, enhancing communication reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
activate the electronic circuit with energy obtained at least one of from an electromagnetic field generated by the reading device
Data Source
AI summary
A boosted near field communication device includes an electronic circuit, a transceiver circuit, an interface coupling the electronic circuit with a host controller, and a memory containing a first information about an activation characteristic of the electronic circuit. The transceiver circuit is configured to determine a timing requirement of a reading device based on one or more request signals, activate the electronic circuit with energy obtained at least one of from an electromagnetic field generated by the reading device or from a battery on receiving a request signal from the reading device, and ensure that after activating the electronic circuit, the electronic circuit can receive and process a request signal from the reading device corresponding to the determined timing requirement by using the determined timing requirement and the first information about an activation characteristic.