RF Relay Device for Signal Continuity Across Attenuating Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radio frequency communication systems face disruptions due to significant attenuation of beacon and traffic signals when devices move between environments that block radio frequency waves, such as from inside a vehicle to outside, causing loss of synchronization and communication interruptions.

Innovation Solution

A device with a radio frequency switching mechanism that uses multiple antennas and a relay to ensure simultaneous signal transmission across environments, adjusting power levels to maintain continuous communication by routing signals through a relay reception port and transmitting them to all antenna ports with equal or varying power levels, depending on the environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single antenna is used for radio frequency communication, then the device complexity is reduced, but the signal reception is interrupted when devices change environments with different attenuation characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reception continuityVSAvoidantenna system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna system is segmented into multiple independent antennas, each optimized for specific environments. The radio frequency switching device divides the signal reception task across multiple antennas, selecting the most appropriate antenna based on current environmental conditions, thus maintaining signal reception continuity without requiring a single complex omnibus antenna system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna system transitions from static to dynamic configuration through the radio frequency switching device, which dynamically selects and switches between different antennas based on real-time signal quality and environmental conditions. This dynamic adaptation ensures continuous reliable reception as devices move between environments with different attenuation characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If radio frequency waves propagate between environments with high attenuation, then communication can be maintained without relay devices, but the signal power level becomes insufficient for reliable reception and synchronization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsignal power level
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

A radio frequency relay device is introduced as an intermediary between transmitting and receiving devices in high attenuation environments. The relay receives the attenuated signal, amplifies it, and retransmits it with sufficient power level, enabling reliable communication across environments that would otherwise block the signal, thus maintaining both communication reliability and adequate signal power

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of moving object

If the beacon signal is lost, then devices can maintain existing communications through slot-based synchronization, but new communications cannot be established and devices cannot re-synchronize

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication maintenance timeVSAvoidsynchronization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors beacon signal strength and proactively switches to relayed signals or alternative synchronization methods before complete signal loss occurs. This preliminary action prevents synchronization disruption entirely, allowing devices to maintain both existing and new communications without interruption even when direct beacon signal propagation is compromised

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution ensures continuous reception of beacon and traffic signals across different environments, preventing communication disruptions and maintaining synchronization, even when devices change locations, by adapting power levels and broadcasting signals in a way that minimizes interference.

Implementation Method 1

Radio frequency communication consists in transporting this data by radiofrequency waves which propagate in an environment so that the signal carrying this data is routed from a transmitting device to either a receiving device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio frequency wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

said radio frequency switching device being provided so that a signal received on one of said antenna ports is routed entirely to a relay reception port, and so that a relayed signal received on the relay transmission port is routed to each antenna port, the power level of the relayed signal on each antenna port being equal to a percentage of the total power level of the relayed signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal routing and power distribution:

Data Source

PatentEP2308181B1Method and device for relaying a radiofrequency communication between communication apparatuses located in different environments
Publication Date: 2012.03.28 SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE SAS
  • EP2308181B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2308181B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2308181B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for relaying a beacon signal or a traffic signal of a radiofrequency communication established between communication apparatuses located in environments to be relayed. An antenna is located in each environment, the method being characterised in that it comprises a step (100) of at least one antenna receiving the beacon signal or traffic signal, a step (200) of generating a so-called relayed signal from the received signal, and the step of simultaneously transmitting (300) the relayed signal from each antenna, wherein the power level of the relayed signal transmitted by each antenna is equal to a percentage of the total power level of the relayed signal.