Proximity and Inertial Sensing for RF Exposure Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

5G cellular systems using high-frequency bands face challenges in controlling human exposure to radio frequencies, as existing methods struggle to accurately determine when devices are being held or on a person's body, leading to potential exposure above the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an inertial sensor system, a proximity sensor system, and a control system that uses inertial sensor data to determine if a device is being held or on a person's body, thereby deactivating or reducing the proximity sensor system and adjusting transmission power to prevent excessive exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing proximity sensing methods are used to control radio frequency exposure, then the device can detect nearby objects, but it cannot accurately determine when the device is being held or on a person's body, leading to potential exposure above MPE limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy for body contactVSAvoidradio frequency exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines proximity sensor data with inertial sensor data to create a more accurate determination of body contact. The inertial sensors detect motion patterns characteristic of holding or wearing the device, while proximity sensors detect nearby objects. By merging these data sources, the system achieves higher measurement precision for determining when the device is on or near the body, thereby enabling more accurate control of radio frequency exposure to comply with MPE limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the proximity sensor system remains active to monitor exposure, then exposure control is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradio frequency exposure controlVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the proximity sensor system based on inertial sensor data. When the inertial sensors detect motion patterns indicating the device is being held or worn, the proximity sensor system is activated to monitor exposure. When such patterns are not detected, the proximity sensor system is deactivated to conserve power. This dynamic approach maintains exposure control when needed while reducing power consumption during periods when the device is not on or near the body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11825423B2Enhanced radio wave exposure mitigation using a combination of proximity and inertial sensor data

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Some disclosed devices include an inertial sensor system, a proximity sensor system, an antenna system configured to transmit and receive radio signals and a control system. The control system may be configured for receiving inertial sensor data from the inertial sensor system and controlling the proximity sensor system and/or the antenna system based, at least in part, on the inertial sensor data. In some examples, the control system may be configured for controlling the proximity sensor system and/or the antenna system based, at least in part, on whether the inertial sensor data indicates that the device is being held, is being carried or is on a person's body (e.g., is in the person's pocket).