Radio Communication System Power Reduction via Frequency Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In radio communication systems operating under DECT standards, subsidiary stations face high power consumption during synchronization establishment due to the need to search multiple carrier frequencies, and there is no effective method to reduce power consumption when out of service range.

Innovation Solution

The control station transmits a first control signal including information about the second control signal's frequency, allowing the subsidiary station to switch to that frequency for reception, thereby reducing the need for multiple frequency searches and minimizing power consumption, especially when out of range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the subsidiary station sequentially searches multiple carrier frequencies to establish synchronization, then the reliability of connection establishment is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishment reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control station performs preliminary action by determining and notifying the subsidiary station of the second frequency (carrier frequency) in advance through the first control signal. This allows the subsidiary station to skip the sequential search process and directly tune to the correct frequency, thereby reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The first control signal acts as an intermediary that carries the second control-signal frequency information from the control station to the subsidiary station. This intermediary mechanism enables the subsidiary station to acquire frequency information efficiently without performing exhaustive searches, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the subsidiary station performs intermittent receiving operation with short receiving periods, then the power consumption is reduced, but the time to receive control data increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontrol data reception time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control station transmits the second control-signal frequency information in advance through the first control signal, allowing the subsidiary station to prepare and switch to the correct frequency proactively. This preliminary action enables the subsidiary station to receive control data efficiently during intermittent receiving operations without extending the receiving period, thus balancing power consumption and reception time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices operate simultaneously on different frequencies, then the system capacity and versatility are improved, but the interference from other communication devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control station uses feedback from radio environment assessment to determine the appropriate second frequency for control signals. By monitoring the radio environment and selecting frequencies with lower interference levels, the system can accommodate multiple devices simultaneously while minimizing harmful interference, thus resolving the contradiction between system capacity and interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3641289B1Radio communication system
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3641289B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3641289B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3641289B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A radio communication system is provided so as to reduce power supply in a search for a control signal. Door-intercom master unit 100 indicates the transmission frequency of a second control signal by a first control signal and indicates information necessary for communication by a second control signal. The first control signal is transmitted at a fixed frequency. When a presence confirmation signal is transmitted, monitor terminal 200 first searches for the first control signal at the fixed frequency, switches the frequency based on received information so as to receive the second control signal for indicating the information necessary for communication, and transmits a presence confirmation signal.