THz Imaging and Power Transfer for Millimeter-Scale Device Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Millimeter-scale battery-limited devices in future wireless networks face challenges in powering and communicating due to their physical limitations, necessitating simultaneous THz imaging, information, and power transfer for precise localization and efficient energy harvesting.

Innovation Solution

A novel Simultaneous Terahertz Imaging with Information and Power Transfer (STIIPT) system using a customized On-Off Keying (cOOK) modulation scheme for THz communication, enabling simultaneous radar-like imaging, information transfer, and wireless power transfer to battery-limited receivers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If millimeter-scale devices are used in THz band, then device size and power consumption are reduced, but imaging capability and positioning precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines imaging function and communication function into a unified THz system. The base station uses THz signals for both transmitting data to millimeter-scale devices and performing radar imaging to obtain precise positioning information, thereby achieving both miniaturization and high positioning precision simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The THz signal serves multiple purposes: it acts as both the communication carrier for data transmission and the radar signal for imaging and positioning. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain small device size while achieving precise positioning through the dual-use of THz waves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If battery capacity is reduced in millimeter-scale devices, then device size is minimized, but energy supply duration deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidenergy supply duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary imaging and positioning using THz radar before communication occurs. By obtaining accurate positioning information in advance, the system can optimize beamforming and signal transmission efficiency, thereby reducing the total energy consumption during communication operations and extending the effective energy supply duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The millimeter-scale device uses the received THz communication signal itself for energy harvesting through rectenna. The device autonomously converts part of the received RF/THz energy into electrical energy to power its operations, reducing dependence on onboard battery capacity while maintaining minimal device size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If THz band is used for communication, then data transmission rate is increased, but signal propagation loss worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidsignal propagation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses imaging feedback from THz radar to continuously track and update the position of millimeter-scale devices. This feedback enables dynamic beamforming adjustment to maintain optimal signal strength and transmission efficiency throughout the communication process, compensating for propagation losses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Device complexity

If integrated receiver architecture is used for SWIPT, then device complexity is reduced, but energy harvesting efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiver architecture complexityVSAvoidenergy harvesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the signal parameters by using customized On-Off Keying (cOOK) modulation with variable symbol lengths. By adjusting the symbol length parameter, the system can optimize the balance between information transmission and energy harvesting in the integrated receiver, improving energy harvesting efficiency without increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Achieves efficient wireless power transfer, high-data rate communication, and accurate localization of millimeter-scale devices, optimizing the rate-energy tradeoff through customized THz signaling.

Implementation Method 1

The user equipment has a rectenna-based integrated-receiver (IntRx) configured to jointly harvest energy and decode information from the received signal waveform

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy harvesting: Rectenna

Implementation Method 2

A reflecting surface attached to the housing of the integrated receiver configured to reflect the incoming signal impinging partially or fully on its surface, back to the base station

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20250338355A1Simultaneous terahertz imaging, information, and power transfer (stiipt)

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A base station of a simultaneous THz imaging, information, and power transfer (STIIPT) system, transmitting a plurality of pulsed THz waveforms to transfer both power and information to user-equipment located in the far-field, as well as estimate the range of the user-equipment when the reflected waveform is received at the base station receiver.