Reader-IoT Channel Signaling for Battery-Less Uplink Timing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for wireless data traffic and the need for efficient communication in 5G systems pose challenges in powering and maintaining battery-less IoT devices, particularly Ambient IoT (A-IoT) devices, which rely on energy harvesting and have limited energy storage, requiring efficient transmission and reception methods.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method and apparatus for IoT devices to communicate with a reader using a physical reader-to-device channel (PRDCH) with a MAC header and payload, jointly attached with a single set of CRC bits, to determine and transmit a physical device-to-reader channel (PDRCH) with defined message types, sizes, and timing, utilizing energy harvesting and backscattering communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If battery-less IoT devices use energy harvesting for power supply, then device maintenance is eliminated and lifespan is extended, but available energy for communication is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using time-division duplexing (TDD) where the reader transmits downlink signals during designated downlink slots and the IoT device transmits uplink signals during uplink slots. This periodic transmission pattern allows the energy-constrained IoT device to communicate efficiently by utilizing only the energy available during specific time windows, thereby extending device lifespan while managing limited energy resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting transmission parameters such as modulation and coding scheme (MCS), transmission power, and slot durations based on channel conditions and energy availability. The reader and IoT device can adapt these parameters in real-time to optimize communication efficiency within the constraints of harvested energy, resolving the contradiction between extended lifespan and limited energy.
2Productivity
If communication protocol includes MAC header with message type and payload size information, then transmission efficiency is improved, but overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication protocol into distinct functional components: a MAC header containing control information (message type, payload size), cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits for error detection, and the payload itself. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the MAC header provides necessary efficiency information with minimal overhead, while the CRC ensures reliable transmission. The segmented structure enables the reader to efficiently parse and process communications without excessive overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The MAC header serves multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies the message type (downlink/uplink), specifies payload size for proper buffering, provides timing information for TDD operations, and enables error detection through CRC. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protocol elements, thereby improving transmission efficiency without proportionally increasing overhead.
3Reliability
If physical channels PRDCH and PDRCH are used for reader-to-device and device-to-reader transmission, then communication reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action through time-division duplexing where the reader transmits on the physical reader-to-device channel (PRDCH) during downlink slots and the IoT device transmits on the physical device-to-reader channel (PDRCH) during uplink slots. This periodic transmission pattern ensures reliable communication by providing dedicated time slots for each direction, preventing interference, and allowing the energy-constrained IoT device to transmit only when necessary, thus balancing reliability with energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the reader receives uplink transmissions on the PDRCH and can adjust downlink transmission parameters based on channel conditions reported by the IoT device. This feedback loop enables dynamic adaptation of transmission power and modulation schemes, improving communication reliability while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary high-power transmissions when channel conditions are favorable.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for transmission and reception between a reader and an Internet of Things (IoT) device. A method includes receiving a physical reader-to-device channel (PRDCH) from the reader. The PRDCH includes a medium access control (MAC) header and a payload. The MAC header indicates (i) a type of reader-to-device (R2D) message and (ii) information related to determining a size of the payload. The MAC header and the payload are jointly attached with a single set of cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits. The method further includes determining, based on reception of the PRDCH, a transmission of a physical device-to-reader channel (PDRCH) to the reader including determining a type of device-to-reader (D2R) message, a size of a payload of the D2R message, a length of the PDRCH transmission, and a transmission timing of the PDRCH. The method further includes transmitting the PDRCH to the reader.