Multi-frequency Transponder Memory Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-frequency transponders face inefficiencies due to differing memory requirements and protocol-specific performance, power consumption, and timing needs for each communication protocol, making a single shared memory suboptimal, and current methods fail to access multiple memories using a single communication protocol effectively.

Innovation Solution

A dual-frequency transponder with separate physical memories for each communication protocol, each optimized for specific performance and power consumption, and a logic unit with control units and a mapping memory to access both memories using a single communication protocol, allowing for optimized performance and minimized power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a single shared memory is used for multiple operating frequencies, then chip area is minimised, but memory performance and power consumption are not optimised for specific protocols

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechip areaVSAvoidmemory performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the memory system into separate physical memories for different communication protocols (HF and UHF). Each protocol has its own dedicated memory instance, allowing independent optimization of memory size, speed, and power consumption characteristics specific to each protocol's requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a logical memory map that provides a unified access interface for both control units. This logical layer allows either control unit to access either physical memory through a common protocol, achieving multi-functionality where a single access mechanism serves multiple purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If a single shared memory is used for multiple operating frequencies, then chip area is minimised, but power consumption is not optimised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechip areaVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The memory system is segmented into separate physical memories for HF and UHF protocols. Each memory can be independently powered and activated only when its corresponding protocol is being used, eliminating unnecessary power consumption for inactive memory modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If separate memories are used for each communication protocol, then memory performance is optimised, but accessing both memories requires multiple communication protocols

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory performanceVSAvoidmemory access flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The logical memory map acts as an intermediary layer between the control units and physical memories. It translates access requests from either control unit into appropriate access patterns for the target physical memory, enabling universal access through a single protocol without compromising the performance benefits of separate memories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Quantity of substance

If separate memories are used for each communication protocol, then maximum memory space is obtained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory spaceVSAvoidmemory structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The logical memory map serves as a mediating abstraction that manages the complexity of accessing separate physical memories. It provides a unified, simplified interface that hides the underlying complexity of having multiple memory instances, allowing control units to access any memory through a single protocol without needing to understand the physical memory architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9501731B2Multi-frequency transponder

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 EM MICROELECTRONIC-MARIN

AI summary

The invention concerns a multi-frequency transponder for communicating at a first frequency according to a first communication protocol and at a second different frequency according to a second communication protocol. The transponder comprises a first physical memory for storing a first data of the first communication protocol; a second physical memory for storing a second data, different from the first data, of the second communication protocol; and a logic unit for accessing the first and second physical memories. The logic unit comprises a first control unit for handling communications according to the first protocol, and a second control unit for handling communications according to the second protocol. The transponder comprises a mapping memory to store a logical memory map of the first or second physical memories. The logical memory map comprises mapping information for the first or second control unit to access data items in first and second physical memories.