UWB Transceiver Power Management via Buffer Capacitance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The energy requirements of ultra-wideband (UWB) transceivers in mobile ID transmitters for vehicle locking systems pose challenges due to high power consumption, particularly when using button cells, leading to voltage collapse during short-term operations.
Innovation Solution
A UWB transceiver is temporarily coupled to the battery via a parallel coupling link with a microcontroller-controlled switching mechanism, accompanied by an energy management circuit that limits current and uses buffer capacitors to manage voltage, ensuring efficient power supply and reducing the load on the battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UWB transceiver is operated with high amplification for receiving signals, then the spatial determination and secure communication are improved, but the current requirement increases to several 100 mA which collapses the battery voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by charging buffer capacitors before the UWB transceiver is activated. The energy management circuit charges the buffer capacitors to a defined voltage level in advance, so that when the transceiver needs to operate with high amplification, the pre-charged capacitors can immediately supply the required current without causing battery voltage collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces buffer capacitors as an intermediary energy storage element between the battery and the UWB transceiver. These capacitors act as a mediator that can rapidly discharge high currents to the transceiver during reception operations, while the battery charges the capacitors at a controlled, lower current rate, thus preventing direct high-current draws from the battery.
2Ease of operation
If the UWB transceiver is continuously powered from the battery, then the operational readiness is improved, but the battery voltage collapses during short-term high-power operations
Solution Approach 1:
The energy management circuit continuously monitors battery voltage and pre-charges the buffer capacitors before the transceiver is activated. This preliminary charging action ensures that when the transceiver needs to operate, the capacitors are already charged and ready to immediately supply power, maintaining operational readiness while preventing voltage collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic power supply architecture where the buffer capacitors are selectively coupled to the transceiver based on operational needs. The coupling means dynamically connect the capacitors to the transceiver when high power is needed, and disconnect them when not needed, allowing the system to adapt its power delivery characteristics to match the instantaneous requirements.
3Ease of operation
If buffer capacitors are charged at high current to ensure quick power availability, then the operational readiness is improved, but the battery voltage collapses during charging
Solution Approach 1:
The energy management circuit implements periodic charging cycles for the buffer capacitors. Instead of continuous high-current charging, the circuit charges the capacitors in controlled periodic intervals at moderate current levels, allowing the battery to recover between charging cycles and preventing voltage collapse while still ensuring capacitors are charged when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy management circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor battery voltage and the charge state of the buffer capacitors. Based on this feedback, the circuit intelligently controls the charging current, reducing or stopping charging when battery voltage drops and resuming when voltage recovers, thus preventing voltage collapse while maintaining capacitor charge levels.
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 design prevents voltage collapse and ensures reliable operation of the UWB transceiver by controlling power supply, reducing current draw from the battery, and optimizing charging of buffer capacitors, thereby enhancing the operational readiness and availability of the ID transmitter.
Implementation Method 1
a first buffer capacitance (B1) which is charged up to a first buffer voltage
Implementation Method 2
switching means (3) which can interrupt the UWB coupling path (4) and switch it through
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An ID transmitter for a wireless vehicle locking system, having a battery (1), a microcontroller (2) coupled to the battery (1) and an ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver (5) coupled to the microcontroller for actuation by the microcontroller (2). The ultra-wideband transceiver (5) is coupled to the battery in parallel with the microcontroller via a UWB coupling link (4), an actuatable switching means (3) being introduced into the UWB coupling link (4) and the microcontroller actuating the switching means to set up and remove a DC coupling between the ultra-wideband transceiver (5) and the battery (1). An energy management circuit (6) is coupled to the UWB coupling link (4) and limits the current carried by the UWB coupling link. A buffer capacitance (B1) is coupled to the UWB coupling link and the battery and supplies to the ultra-wideband transceiver (5). The energy management circuit (6) detects a first buffer voltage of the first buffer capacitance and transmits status information regarding the first buffer voltage to the microcontroller.