Passive Terminal Discovery Signals for Long-Range Batteryless IoT
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IoT devices face challenges in achieving low cost and low power consumption, particularly in wide area communication, with passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags requiring significant power for short-range communication and lacking efficient methods for long-range data transfer.
Innovation Solution
The use of passive terminal discovery signals, including DL and UL PTD signals, to enable communication and positioning of batteryless IoT devices by harnessing energy from radio waves, with active devices acting as intermediaries to detect and associate with passive devices using backscatter communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If passive RFID tags are used for low cost and low power consumption, then manufacturing cost and power consumption are reduced, but communication range is limited to short range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces active radios as intermediary devices that bridge passive RFID tags and the network. The active radios receive signals from passive tags and forward them to network nodes, enabling long-range communication while keeping the passive tags low-power. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by allowing passive tags to maintain their low power consumption characteristic while achieving extended communication range through the active intermediary.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into three functional components: passive RFID tags for low-power operation, active radios for signal amplification and forwarding, and network nodes for data processing. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function independently, with passive tags remaining low-power while active radios handle the power-intensive long-range transmission tasks.
2Ease of manufacture
If passive RFID tags are used for low cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but data transfer efficiency for long range is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Active radios serve as intermediaries that enhance the data transfer capability of passive RFID tags. The active radios receive data from passive tags and efficiently transmit it to network nodes over long distances, thereby improving data transfer efficiency without increasing the manufacturing cost of the passive tags themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The active radios perform multiple functions including receiving signals from passive tags, amplifying signals, forwarding data to network nodes, and managing communication protocols. This multi-functionality enables efficient long-range data transfer while maintaining the low-cost advantage of passive RFID tags.
3Length of stationary object
If active radios transmit passive terminal discovery signals to enable long-range communication, then communication range is extended, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a hierarchical intermediary structure where active radios act as intermediaries between passive tags and network nodes. Only the active radios consume power for long-range transmission, while passive tags remain low-power. This distribution of power consumption across the intermediary layer resolves the contradiction between extended range and power usage.
Solution Approach 2:
Passive RFID tags utilize the electromagnetic fields generated by active radios to harvest energy for their own operation, making them self-powered without external power sources. This self-service capability allows passive tags to function at extremely low power levels while the active radios handle the power-intensive long-range communication tasks.
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 low-power, cost-effective data transfer and localization of passive IoT devices over long ranges by leveraging energy harvesting and backscatter communication, minimizing power consumption and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
harvesting energy from radio waves
Implementation Method 2
backscatter communication
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least: receiving, from a network node, configuration of at least one passive terminal discovery signal associated with at least one passive radio; transmitting at least one passive terminal discovery signal according to the configuration; and/or receiving at least one passive terminal discovery signal according to the configuration; measuring at least one backscatter passive terminal discovery signal from the at least one passive radio; and reporting at least the measured backscatter to the network node.