Time-Coded IoT Signaling for Low-Power Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data communication systems in IoT devices face challenges in minimizing energy consumption, particularly in scenarios where transmissions occur infrequently, leading to inefficient battery usage.
Innovation Solution
Encoding data into transmission time, allowing devices to transmit signals at predetermined times, thereby reducing the need for frequent transmissions and conserving energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transmitted frequently to ensure data freshness, then data communication reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic transmission opportunities where the transmitting device can send data at predetermined time intervals. The receiver wakes up periodically to check for transmissions, creating a rhythmic communication pattern that balances data freshness with energy conservation. This periodic structure allows the system to maintain communication reliability while avoiding continuous transmission that would drain battery power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time parameter of transmission by encoding data into the timing characteristics of signals. Different data values are represented by different transmission times or time intervals. This parameter change transforms the communication approach from transmitting data content to transmitting data through temporal encoding, reducing the need for frequent transmissions while maintaining information delivery.
2Quantity of substance
If transmission time is extended to send more data, then data quantity transmitted is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system moves from encoding data in signal amplitude or frequency to encoding data in the time dimension. By using transmission time as the encoding dimension, the system can convey information about data quantity and type without extending transmission duration. This dimensional shift allows efficient data representation within fixed time windows, preventing energy consumption from increasing with data quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitting and receiving devices establish predetermined transmission time schedules in advance. Data is encoded into these pre-planned time slots, allowing the system to prepare communication patterns beforehand. This preliminary action enables the devices to operate efficiently during execution without needing to extend transmission time dynamically, thus controlling energy consumption while transmitting varying data quantities.
3Reliability
If the receiver continuously monitors for signals, then data reception reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver implements periodic monitoring by waking up at predetermined time intervals to check for incoming signals and then returning to sleep mode. This periodic monitoring pattern maintains data reception reliability by ensuring the receiver is active when transmissions occur, while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring. The synchronization between transmitter and receiver periodic cycles ensures reliable communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the predetermined time encoding scheme to enable the receiver to self-synchronize with transmission patterns without requiring continuous active monitoring. The receiver can determine when to wake up based on the encoded time information, making the monitoring process more autonomous and energy-efficient while maintaining reliable data reception.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various example embodiments provide a system for transmission of low power signals based on using transmission time as one coding parameter. A code table may be used at a transmitter and receiver to map different data to different transmission times and/or other parameters. Advantageously, large amount of information may be transmitted with short and power efficient signals, for example to report status of a sensor every now and then. A receiver may use the same code table to decode the signals. Apparatuses, methods, and computer programs are disclosed.