UWB Ranging Interval Skipping for Lower Mobile Phone Power Use

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional UWB-equipped devices consume significant power and resources due to constant, static ranging time intervals, even when movement is minimal or non-existent, leading to inefficient power usage.

Innovation Solution

Implement a ranging round skipping function that adjusts the ranging time interval based on location measurements and movement patterns, allowing devices to skip unnecessary ranging rounds and dynamically modify the ranging time interval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a static ranging time interval is used for constant distance measurement, then measurement reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static ranging time interval to a dynamic one. The system continuously monitors location measurements and automatically adjusts the ranging time interval based on detected movement patterns. When movement is detected, the interval decreases to maintain measurement reliability; when stationary, the interval increases to reduce power consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliable measurements and reducing energy usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of ranging time interval from fixed to variable. By analyzing location measurement data and detecting movement patterns, the system modifies the ranging time interval parameter in real-time. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between measurement reliability and power consumption based on actual operational conditions, directly addressing the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If ranging rounds are performed frequently to detect movement, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement detection precisionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously analyzing location measurement results to detect movement patterns. The system uses this feedback information to intelligently adjust the ranging time interval. When movement is detected through precise location comparisons, the system responds by modifying future ranging schedules. This feedback mechanism enables precise movement detection while optimizing power consumption by avoiding excessive ranging rounds when no movement occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by performing ranging rounds selectively rather than continuously. Instead of executing full ranging operations at every scheduled interval, the system performs location measurements and only triggers additional ranging rounds when movement is actually detected. This partial action approach maintains measurement precision for movement detection while significantly reducing power consumption by avoiding unnecessary ranging operations during stationary periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of energy

If the ranging time interval is reduced to minimize power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but measurement reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dynamics to adapt the ranging time interval based on real-time movement detection. Rather than using a fixed reduced interval that would compromise reliability, the system dynamically adjusts the interval length. When movement is detected, the interval reduces to maintain measurement reliability; when stationary, the interval extends to improve energy efficiency. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the ranging time interval parameter based on detected movement patterns. By analyzing location measurements and identifying when movement occurs, the system modifies the interval parameter adaptively. This parameter change strategy allows the system to achieve improved energy efficiency during stationary periods while maintaining measurement reliability when movement is detected, thus resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260036664A1Method of skipping UWB ranging rounds to reduce the mobile phone power consumption

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 QORVO US INC

AI summary

Systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed a method performed by a first Ultra-Wideband (UWB)-equipped device for reducing UWB power consumption. The method includes, for a plurality of ranging rounds in accordance with a first ranging time interval, sending one or more UWB ranging signals to a second UWB-equipped device and receiving one or more location measurements from the second UWB-equipped device. A location measurement is indicative of a location of the second UWB-equipped device. The method includes, based on the one or more location measurements across the plurality of ranging rounds, modifying the first ranging time interval to a second ranging time interval different than the first ranging time interval.