Relay for Wireless HMD-Console Link Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual and augmented reality systems, the limited beam scanning range of base stations at high carrier frequencies, such as 60 GHz, leads to a loss or degradation of wireless communication links when head-mounted displays move out of range, resulting in a choppy user experience due to path loss and reduced quality of the wireless link.
Innovation Solution
A relay device is introduced to act as an intermediary between the head-mounted display and the console, using dual frequency bands or dual polarization to maintain communication, allowing seamless switching when the quality of the link degrades, and enabling bi-directional data packet transmission, reception, and forwarding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beam forming is used to compensate for path loss at 60 GHz, then wireless link quality is maintained above a threshold, but the beam scanning range is limited and the HMD cannot move freely
Solution Approach 1:
A relay device is introduced as an intermediary node between the base station and the HMD. The relay receives signals from the base station, amplifies them, and retransmits them to the HMD, enabling the HMD to maintain connection while moving beyond the direct beam scanning range of the base station.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication path is segmented into two hops: base station to relay, and relay to HMD. This segmentation allows each node to use focused beam forming for its specific link while the relay provides extended coverage, resolving the contradiction between link quality and movement range.
2Device complexity
If the console uses a single frequency band for communication, then device complexity is reduced, but interference occurs when the relay operates simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the frequency parameter by allocating different frequency bands to different communication links. The base station and relay communicate on one frequency band while the relay and HMD communicate on another frequency band, eliminating interference while maintaining system functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted display (HMD) is wirelessly coupled to a console or a relay depending on the relative positions of the HMD, the console, and the relay. The HMD communicates wirelessly with the console using a beam that is oriented in a particular direction. As the position of the HMD changes, the quality of the communication link between the HMD and the console may degrade. In response to the degradation, the HMD forms a communication link with a relay, which operates as an intermediary between the HMD and the console. The relay communicates with the HMD over a dedicated communication channel that is isolated from the communication channel over which the relay communicates with the console.