Trusted Sensor Data Isolation for SAR Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices default to maximum SAR cutback when the application processor is unlocked, potentially interfering with compliance to FCC SAR limits, even if user changes do not affect RF energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
Only trusted sensor data is processed by the communications processor to determine the appropriate SAR cutback for transmit power, ensuring continuous compliance with FCC SAR limits by isolating the communications and sensor processors from user-altered software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the application processor is unlocked to allow user modifications, then user control and adaptability are improved, but the device defaults to maximum SAR cutback which may interfere with FCC compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor data into trusted and untrusted sources. The trusted sensor processor remains isolated and secure, providing reliable proximity detection data, while the untrusted application processor can be unlocked for user modifications. This segmentation allows the system to maintain FCC compliance through trusted sensors while permitting user adaptability through the unlocked application processor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communications processor as an intermediary that receives data from both the trusted sensor processor and the untrusted application processor. This intermediary selectively uses only trusted sensor data for SAR cutback determination, isolating the critical compliance function from untrusted user-modifiable software while still allowing the application processor to operate in unlocked state.
2Reliability
If maximum SAR cutback is applied to ensure FCC compliance, then regulatory compliance is improved, but transmit power is reduced unnecessarily even when sensor data may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the communications processor continuously receives proximity data from the trusted sensor processor and dynamically adjusts the SAR cutback level. When the trusted sensor indicates the device is not proximate to the body, the system reduces or eliminates SAR cutback, thereby maintaining FCC compliance while optimizing transmit power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the SAR cutback parameter based on trusted sensor input. Instead of applying maximum cutback whenever the application processor is unlocked, the system adjusts the cutback level according to real-time proximity detection data from trusted sensors, optimizing the balance between compliance and power efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Arrangements described herein relate to controlling RF communications by a communication device. Raw sensor data from one or more sensors can be received by a sensor processor. The sensor processor processes the raw sensor data to generate processed sensor data. An application processor processes a portion of the processed sensor data. The application processor is configured to operate in a locked state in which a user is not allowed to alter the at least one secured application and operate in an unlocked state in which the user is allowed to alter the at least one secured application. A portion of the processed sensor data is received from the sensor processor by a communications processor and further processed. The processed sensor data received by the communications processor from the sensor processor is trusted sensor data not affected by the application processor when the application processor operates in the unlocked state.