Contactless Receiver Voltage Stabilization via Dynamic Time Constants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF communication devices face challenges in stabilizing receiver input voltage, which affects communication distance and quality, while rapid voltage regulation can introduce bit errors and data corruption.
Innovation Solution
A contactless communication device with a receiver unit, comparator, and voltage regulation circuit that adjusts the antenna input voltage using different time constants before and after data reception, ensuring rapid adjustment before data arrival and minimizing data errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rapidly adapting voltage regulation system is used, then the receiver input voltage stabilization is improved, but bit errors and receiving failure occur due to influence on modulated data content
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulation performs preliminary adjustment before the data reception period using a first time constant, stabilizing the receiver input voltage in advance. This prevents voltage fluctuations during data reception that would cause bit errors, while still achieving effective stabilization through early action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two time constants based on the reception phase: a first time constant during the pre-reception period for rapid stabilization, and a second time constant during data reception for maintaining stability without affecting modulated data. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between fast response and data integrity.
2Loss of information
If a slower voltage regulation time constant is used, then data integrity is maintained, but voltage stabilization response is too slow to be effective
Solution Approach 1:
Voltage stabilization is performed in advance before data reception begins, allowing a slower time constant to be used during the actual data reception phase without compromising response effectiveness. The preliminary action ensures voltage is already stabilized when data arrives, maintaining both speed and integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulation operates in periodic phases: a fast adjustment phase before reception, followed by a slow maintenance phase during reception. This periodic switching of regulation speed allows rapid initial response while maintaining data integrity during the sustained phase.
3Reliability
If voltage regulation is performed continuously, then voltage stability is maximized, but modulated data content is distorted and communication fails
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulation is segmented into distinct time periods: a first regulation period before data reception with active voltage adjustment, and a second period during data reception with suspended or minimal regulation. This segmentation allows voltage stabilization when needed while preventing interference with modulated data during reception.
Solution Approach 2:
Voltage regulation is applied periodically rather than continuously - actively during pre-reception phases and suspended during data reception phases. This periodic action pattern maintains voltage stability when beneficial while avoiding distortion of modulated data content during critical reception windows.
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
This approach effectively stabilizes the receiver input voltage, increasing communication distance and quality while reducing the risk of data corruption, by using a faster time constant before data reception and a slower one after, ensuring accurate data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
contactless communication device, preferably for communication by use of inductive coupling
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described a contactless communication device. The device comprises (a) a receiver unit (110, 610) having an antenna input (RXn, Vmid, RXp) for connecting to an antenna, the receiver unit (110, 610) being adapted to couple with a transmitting device and to receive an RF signal transmitted by the transmitting device, the receiver unit (110, 610) being further adapted to determine a point of time relating to a position of data within the RF signal, (b) a comparator (120) adapted to generate a comparator output signal (agc_comp) which is indicative of a relation between a voltage at the antenna input (RXn, Vmid, RXp) of the receiver unit (110, 610) and a reference voltage (Vref), and (c) a voltage regulation circuit coupled to the comparator (120) and to the antenna input (RXn, Vmid, RXp) of the receiver unit (110, 610), the voltage regulation circuit being adapted to repetitively regulate the voltage at the antenna input (RXn, Vmid, RXp) based on the comparator output signal (agc_comp). The voltage regulation circuit is adapted to separate each repetitive regulation of the voltage at the antenna input (RXn, Vmid, RXp) by a first time constant prior to the point of time determined by the receiver unit (110, 610) and by a second time constant after the point of time determined by the receiver unit (110, 610), wherein the first time constant is smaller than the second time constant. There is also described a method, a computer program and a computer program product.