Passive BLE Tag for Aircraft Asset Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless tracking technologies, such as RFID and BLE beacons, are bulky, expensive, and have limited lifetimes due to the need for external energy sources, making them unsuitable for efficient asset tracking in aircraft and airport environments.
Innovation Solution
A passive Bluetooth low energy (BLE) tag that uses a first antenna unit to receive energy from an alternating electromagnetic field, converting it into a direct current signal to power a data transmitting unit, eliminating the need for batteries or external energy sources, and transmitting location and identifier information via Bluetooth 4.0 standard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If passive RFID tags are used for wireless data transmission, then no external energy source is required, but the transmission range is very short and data transmission capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the energy harvesting capability of passive RFID tags with the data transmission capability of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology into a single integrated device. The RFID antenna harvests energy from electromagnetic fields to power the BLE transmitter, enabling longer range and higher capacity data transmission while maintaining passive operation without batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless tag device performs multiple functions: it harvests energy from electromagnetic fields like a passive RFID tag, transmits data over long ranges using BLE technology, and can be read by both RFID readers and Bluetooth devices. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling the device to operate passively while achieving BLE-level transmission capabilities.
2Speed
If active or battery-assisted passive RFID tags are used, then transmission range and data capacity improve, but the device becomes bulky, expensive, and has limited lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The device harvests its own operating energy from the electromagnetic fields it encounters during normal RFID operation. By converting RF energy into usable power through rectification and voltage regulation, the tag sustains itself indefinitely without external power sources or batteries, eliminating the lifetime limitation while maintaining enhanced transmission capabilities.
3Speed
If BLE beacons are used for wireless data transmission, then transmission range and data capacity improve, but external energy sources or batteries are required making the device bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID antenna and rectifying circuit act as an intermediary energy conversion system that bridges the gap between passive RFID energy harvesting and active BLE transmission. This intermediary mechanism converts harvested RF energy into sufficient power for BLE operation, enabling long-range transmission without requiring traditional batteries or external power sources.
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 cost-effective, flexible, and efficient wireless data transmission for asset tracking without the need for external power, improving the longevity and usability of tracking devices in aircraft and airport settings.
Implementation Method 1
a first antenna unit for receiving energy from an alternating electromagnetic field and for converting the energy into an alternating current energy signal
Implementation Method 2
a rectifying unit for converting the alternating current energy signal into a direct current signal
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless data transmitting device comprising a first antenna unit for receiving energy from an alternating electromagnetic field and for converting the energy into an alternating current energy signal and a rectifying unit for converting the alternating current energy signal into a direct current signal. The wireless data transmitting device further comprises a data transmitting unit configured to receive the direct current signal and to generate an aircraft related wireless data signal and a second antenna unit configured to output the aircraft related wireless data signal. Further, a system for wireless data transmission, an aircraft, and a method for wireless data transmission are presented.