UWB Communication Power Reduction via BLE Handshake

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems that perform authentication based on signal transmission and reception between devices face increased power consumption issues due to prolonged standby times for Ultra Wide Band (UWB) communication.

Innovation Solution

A control device and system that incorporates both BLE and UWB communication sections, where the control section initiates UWB communication only after BLE communication has been established, thereby avoiding continuous standby mode for UWB communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the in-vehicle equipment or portable device stands by in advance for UWB communication to enable distance measurement, then the authentication function can be performed, but the standby time becomes longer and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication functionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the BLE communication section perform initial connection and authentication before activating the UWB communication section. This ensures that when UWB communication is needed for distance measurement, the basic communication framework is already established, reducing the standby time required for UWB authentication while maintaining authentication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the communication mode switchable between BLE-only mode and UWB-enabled mode based on actual needs. The control section dynamically activates UWB communication only when distance measurement is required, rather than maintaining a fixed standby state, thus optimizing power consumption while ensuring authentication functionality is available when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If UWB communication is activated continuously to ensure availability for distance measurement, then authentication can be performed at any time, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by activating UWB communication only at specific intervals when distance measurement is required, rather than continuously. The control section periodically checks whether distance measurement is needed and activates UWB communication accordingly, maintaining authentication availability when needed while significantly reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses BLE communication as an intermediary to establish initial connection and exchange control information before activating UWB communication. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain adaptability for authentication while avoiding continuous UWB operation, as BLE serves as a low-power gateway that triggers UWB only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12213198B2Control device, non-transitory storage medium, and system

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO

AI summary

Power consumption required for UWB communication is effectively suppressed. A control device includes: at least one BLE communication section configured to perform BLE communication with another communication device, the BLE communication being wireless communication compliant with BLE communication standards; at least one UWB communication section configured to perform UWB communication with the another communication device, the UWB communication being wireless communication compliant with UWB communication standards; and a control section configured to control the BLE communication of the BLE communication section and the UWB communication of the UWB communication section, and the control section performs control to start the UWB communication in a case where the BLE communication has been established.