UWB Tag Wake-Up via RFID Intermediary for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
UWB tag systems face high power consumption due to additional active communication interfaces, limiting the number of tags that can be used in localization systems and increasing energy expenditure, especially with systems having limited battery capacity.
Innovation Solution
A UWB communication device and method utilizing an RFID tag for wake-up and power-up of the UWB communication unit, reducing power consumption by using a low-power RF communication device to initiate wake-up or power-up signals and controlling UWB communication through a wired connection, allowing the UWB unit to remain in sleep mode until needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UWB communication unit remains active for continuous communication, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UWB communication unit operates in periodic cycles, switching between active communication mode and sleep mode. The RFID tag wake-up mechanism triggers the UWB unit to become active only when communication is needed, then returns it to sleep mode afterward. This periodic operation maintains communication reliability by ensuring the unit is ready when needed while dramatically reducing average power consumption during sleep periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag serves as an intermediary wake-up mechanism between the external environment and the UWB communication unit. Instead of the UWB unit continuously monitoring for communication requests (which would consume power), the low-power RFID tag monitors and triggers the UWB unit only when a wake-up command is received, thus mediating between continuous availability and power saving.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple UWB tags are deployed in localization systems, then system coverage and functionality are improved, but total power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each UWB tag in the localization system operates periodically in sleep mode, waking up only when triggered by the RFID wake-up mechanism. This allows multiple tags to be deployed across the system without each one continuously consuming power, enabling scalable deployment while keeping total energy expenditure manageable through coordinated periodic operation across all tags.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag integrated with each UWB tag provides multi-functionality by serving both as a wake-up trigger and as a low-power communication interface. This universal approach across all tags in the system allows standardized deployment where each tag can remain in low-power state yet still be fully controllable and selectable by the external reader, enabling scalable system expansion.
3Use of energy by moving object
If UWB communication unit is kept in sleep mode to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but wake-up response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having the RFID tag continuously monitor for wake-up commands even while the UWB communication unit remains in sleep mode. When a wake-up command is detected by the RFID tag, it immediately triggers the UWB unit to wake up, eliminating the need for the UWB unit to continuously monitor itself. This preliminary monitoring by the RFID tag reduces the overall wake-up response time while maintaining power savings.
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
Significantly reduces power consumption and increases the number of UWB tags that can be used in a localization system by minimizing unnecessary UWB interface usage and leveraging a low-power RF interface for control commands, enhancing system scalability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the RF communication device is configured to receive at least one command from an external reader and to initiate a wake-up or a power-up of the UWB communication unit in response to receiving said command
Implementation Method 2
a UWB communication unit being configured to establish and perform UWB radio communication with an external device
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication device is provided, comprising: a UWB communication unit being configured to establish and perform UWB radio communication with an external device, a radio frequency (RF) communication device being a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, wherein the RF communication device is configured to receive at least one command from an external reader and to initiate a wake-up or a power-up of the UWB communication unit in response to receiving said command. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication device is conceived.