Pulse Edge Modulation for Shared Power and Data Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable biomedical devices separated into remote and main units face challenges in transmitting power and data due to size and mass constraints, requiring efficient communication methods to minimize interference and reduce the number of transmission lines.
Innovation Solution
Pulse edge modulation of digital carrier signals is used to transmit power and data from the main unit to the remote unit, with the modulated signal being demodulated to obtain digital data, and data is sent back during steady-state periods to minimize interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the implantable device is separated into remote and main units, then the size and mass constraints are satisfied, but interference between downlink and uplink transmissions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission windows where downlink transmissions occur during active edges and uplink transmissions occur during steady-state periods. This time-division multiplexing approach allows both communication directions to share the same transmission lines without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between device separation and transmission interference.
2Weight of moving object
If the implantable device is separated into remote and main units, then the size and mass constraints are satisfied, but the number of transmission lines required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power transmission and data communication functions into a single set of transmission lines. By using pulse edge modulation where data is encoded in the transitions of the power delivery signal, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated data lines, thus reducing the total number of transmission lines required while maintaining device separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission lines are designed to serve multiple functions: delivering power to the remote unit and simultaneously carrying bidirectional data communication. The same physical medium handles both energy transfer and information exchange, making the transmission system universal and reducing component count.
3Power
If DC power is transmitted to the remote unit, then power delivery is achieved, but DC power leakage into surrounding tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulsed power delivery instead of continuous DC transmission. By delivering power in controlled pulses synchronized with the modulation scheme, the system achieves effective power transfer while minimizing the risk of DC leakage into surrounding tissue, as the intermittent nature of pulsed delivery allows tissue to recover and reduces cumulative exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct DC electrical power transmission with an AC-coupled pulsed system that uses capacitive coupling to block DC components. This substitution eliminates the harmful DC leakage effect while maintaining effective power delivery through the pulsed AC signal, using electrical field dynamics instead of direct conduction.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for the pulse edge modulation of digital carrier signals for communications systems. A digital carrier signal is generated and the carrier is pulse edge modulated with digital data. A pulse edge modulated signal is generated by either retarding or advancing each pulse edge of a carrier to be modulated relative to its original position in time, depending on the state of the digital bit to be modulated on that edge.