Dynamic Anchor Pre-Selection for UWB Ranging Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless keyless entry systems face energy consumption challenges due to high bandwidth requirements in Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, leading to increased current consumption and battery drain in battery-powered devices, which affects the performance of electronic access and authorization systems.
Innovation Solution
The system reduces energy consumption by enabling the initiator to perform ranging operations with only selected responders based on signal quality metrics measured during a portion of the preamble section of packets, allowing for a complete ranging operation with fewer responders and reducing the need for extensive energy storage capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UWB technology is used for wireless keyless entry systems, then ranging precision and distance measurement accuracy are improved, but current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet processing into two phases: a simplified preamble processing phase that consumes minimal energy, and a complete packet processing phase that is only executed for selected responders. The initiator processes only the preamble portion of packets from multiple responders initially, measuring signal quality metrics without fully decoding or processing the entire packets. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high ranging precision while dramatically reducing current consumption during the initial screening phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by processing only a portion (the preamble) of the complete packet data structure. The initiator performs partial packet processing to extract signal quality metrics from the preamble section without processing the entire packet payload. This partial processing approach provides sufficient information for responder selection while avoiding the excessive energy consumption that would result from processing complete packets from all responders.
2Reliability
If a larger energy storage capacitor is used to bridge current gaps, then the receiving device can handle high bandwidth UWB signals, but the recharging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing responder selection based on preamble processing before initiating complete ranging operations. The initiator pre-identifies suitable responders by evaluating signal quality metrics from their preambles, then concentrates subsequent communication with only those selected responders. This preliminary filtering reduces the total number of complete packets that must be processed, thereby reducing the cumulative current demand and allowing the energy storage capacitor to recharge between operations without requiring excessive capacity.
3Measurement precision
If complete ranging operations are performed with all responders, then comprehensive signal quality assessment is achieved, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ranging process into an initial screening phase using only preamble processing, followed by complete ranging operations with selected responders only. This segmentation enables rapid evaluation of multiple responders with minimal energy expenditure, identifying a small subset of candidates for full ranging. The segmentation maintains measurement precision for the selected responders while dramatically improving overall processing speed and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing incomplete (preamble-only) processing for initial responder evaluation, then completing full ranging operations only for selected responders. This approach avoids the excessive processing time and energy that would result from performing complete ranging with all responders, while still achieving comprehensive signal quality assessment for the最终 selected responder.
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 extends battery life, reduces the size and cost of energy storage components, and speeds up the ranging process, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of wireless access and authorization systems.
Implementation Method 1
UWB technology, which are capable of accurate distance measurements between two or more wireless devices. Typically, these measurements are based on Time-of-Flight (ToF) calculations that are derived by accurate determinations of departure and arrival times of RF packets between the two devices.
Implementation Method 2
Typically, these measurements are based on Time-of-Flight (ToF) calculations that are derived by accurate determinations of departure and arrival times of RF packets between the two devices.
Implementation Method 3
A coin cell battery may only be able to deliver 100 mA peak current in order to satisfactorily receive and process the UWB signals. Therefore, an energy storage capacitor is typically required to bridge the gap between the current the receiving device requires and the current the battery can deliver.
Data Source
AI summary
In a wireless communication system, ranging is performed between an initiator and one of a plurality of responders. Before the ranging operation is performed, the initiator preselects the responder, wherein the preselection is based on a comparison of a measured metric associated with signals carrying packets received from the responders by the initiator. The initiator utilizes only a portion of the preamble in each of the packets to measure the metric. The signals are transmitted in the wireless communication system utilizing ultra-wideband frequencies.