O-RAN Wireless Charging Coordination for Ambient IoT Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular networks lack efficient mechanisms to dynamically manage the energy harvesting and charging needs of a large number of ambient power Internet of Things (IoT) devices, particularly in 4G LTE and emerging 5G networks, which are cumbersome and time-consuming to orchestrate.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic wireless charging coordination and management system is implemented using an open radio access network (O-RAN) with a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC) to generate a charging schedule and beamforming parameters for ambient IoT devices, coordinating charging operations through the O-RAN instead of involving the core 5G network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the core 5G network orchestrates charging for ambient power IoT devices, then charging coordination is achieved, but network complexity and processing burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging coordination function from the core 5G network and relocates it to the Radio Access Network (RAN) intelligent controller. This segmentation allows the core network to focus on high-level management while the RAN handles device-specific charging coordination, reducing overall network complexity and processing burden on the core network.
Solution Approach 2:
The RAN intelligent controller acts as an intermediary between the core 5G network and ambient power IoT devices for charging coordination. It receives charging requests from devices, generates appropriate charging schedules, and manages beamforming parameters without requiring direct core network involvement in each charging operation, thereby simplifying core network operations.
2Reliability
If charging requests from multiple ambient power IoT devices are processed through the core 5G network, then charging coordination is achieved, but processing time and network latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the charging coordination function to the RAN level, the patent enables local processing of charging requests without routing them through the core network. This significantly reduces processing time and network latency for charging operations while maintaining reliable coordination through the intelligent controller's scheduling algorithms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ambient power IoT devices harvest energy from radio frequency signals, then devices can operate without batteries, but energy availability and charging efficiency become challenging to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The RAN intelligent controller implements feedback mechanisms to monitor the energy harvesting status of ambient power IoT devices. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts charging schedules and beamforming parameters to optimize energy transfer efficiency, making energy management transparent and automatic for battery-free devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic charging schedules that adapt to the real-time energy requirements and harvesting capabilities of ambient power IoT devices. The RAN intelligent controller continuously optimizes beamforming parameters and charging window allocations based on device status, ensuring efficient energy management without requiring manual intervention.
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 system efficiently manages and coordinates wireless charging for multiple ambient IoT devices, optimizing energy use and reducing the burden on the core 5G network by leveraging O-RAN resources.
Implementation Method 1
An example embodiment includes transmitting, by the one or more open radio unit nodes, a plurality of energy signals to a plurality of ambient Internet of Things (IoT) devices based on the charging schedule
Implementation Method 2
generating a charging schedule for the one or more ambient IoT devices including a charging window and energy beamforming parameters
Data Source
AI summary
Dynamic wireless charging coordination and management tailored to scale and constraints of AMP backscatter IoT devices are provided. The method involves obtaining, by a radio access network controller, an energy requirement for one or more ambient Internet of Things (IoT) devices and generating a charging schedule for the one or more ambient IoT devices including a charging window and energy beamforming parameters for charging a respective IoT device based on the energy requirement. The method further involves providing the charging schedule for charging the one or more ambient IoT devices.