Universal APC Table for Inductive Coupling Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic power control (APC) systems for communications devices using inductive coupling require manual iterations and new APC tables when system configurations change, leading to increased computing and measurement overhead, and are not adaptable to different device configurations.
Innovation Solution
A universal APC table that stores information on the relationship between field strength and load modulation amplitude, allowing for scaling and shifting based on system parameters such as RSSI and transmitter output signal amplitude, enabling adaptive power control without the need for extensive on-chip data storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a static APC table is defined and tuned for a communications device, then power control accuracy is improved, but device complexity and measurement overhead increase due to multiple iterations and manual calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static APC table into a dynamic configuration process. Instead of manually defining a complete static table, the system dynamically determines transmission configurations by measuring field strength and calculating required power adjustments in real-time, adapting to changing conditions without requiring a pre-configured comprehensive table.
Solution Approach 2:
The communications device performs self-configuration by automatically measuring the inductive coupling field strength and calculating the required transmission configuration adjustments. The device serves itself by eliminating the need for external manual calculation and table generation, reducing both complexity and measurement overhead.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a new APC table is generated from scratch when system configuration changes, then adaptability is improved, but computing overhead and measurement time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a universal relationship between field strength and transmission configuration that can be applied across different system configurations. By pre-defining this fundamental relationship rather than creating configuration-specific tables, the system enables rapid adaptation to new configurations through simple parameter adjustments rather than complete table regeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts to configuration changes by modifying parameters such as transmitter driver supply voltage, modulation configuration, and transmitter output signal amplitude based on the universal field strength relationship. This allows the same underlying APC logic to serve multiple configurations by changing operational parameters rather than restructuring the entire APC table.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extensive on-chip data storage is used for APC tables, then power control coverage is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential APC functionality from large stored tables and implements it through a compact universal relationship between field strength and transmission configuration. By taking out only the fundamental coupling relationship and deriving specific configurations through calculation rather than storage, the system achieves broad power control coverage with minimal on-chip memory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal APC relationship serves multiple functions across different system configurations and operating conditions. A single compact representation of the field strength to power relationship can be applied universally to determine appropriate transmission configurations for various scenarios, eliminating the need for separate extensive tables for each configuration.
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 approach improves inductive coupling performance by dynamically adjusting power settings, reducing storage requirements and enhancing compatibility across various device configurations, thus providing robust and efficient communication.
Implementation Method 1
Communications devices can communicate with each other via inductive coupling. For example, near field communications (NFC) is a wireless technology based on radio frequency identification (RFID).
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of methods and systems for automatic power control (APC) in a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling are described. In an embodiment, a method for APC in a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling involves storing a universal APC table for the communications device, adjusting the universal APC table in response to at least one system parameter, and controlling a transmission configuration of the communications device based on the adjusted APC table. Other embodiments are also described.