Wireless Link Power Control for Hearing Aid Battery Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems for portable devices, such as hearing aids, suffer from inefficiencies in power management, as they often operate at fixed transmit power levels, leading to unnecessary power consumption due to component tolerances and varying operational distances, resulting in wasted energy.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with dynamically adjustable transmit power based on link quality, allowing for a partial power-down mode when devices are not in normal use, specifically powering down components related to the wireless link to minimize energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed transmitted power is used to ensure reliable communication across all conditions, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts transmit power based on real-time link quality measurements. The control unit monitors communication conditions and varies the transmitted power level accordingly, transitioning from fixed to dynamic power control to optimize both reliability and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where link quality is measured and used to control transmit power adjustments. The control unit receives link quality information and adjusts power levels in response, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing communication conditions
2Reliability
If transmit power is increased to compensate for component tolerances and distance variations, then communication reliability is improved, but energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the power parameter dynamically based on actual communication needs. Instead of maintaining a conservative fixed power level that accounts for all possible variations, the system adjusts power in response to measured link quality, reducing energy waste while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial power adjustment rather than always using maximum or conservative power levels. By transmitting at the minimum necessary power for current conditions, the system avoids excessive energy consumption while still achieving reliable communication
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a communication system comprising a first and a second communication device, each comprising transmit and receive units for establishing a wireless link between the devices, wherein the first device is a portable listening device. The invention further relates to a method, a data processing system and a medium. The object of the present invention is to control power consumption in a short range wireless link. The problem is solved in that at least the first communication device comprises a control unit for dynamically adjusting the transmit power of its transmit unit based on a measure of the quality of the link, wherein the system is adapted to use the dynamic transmit power regulation to implement a partial power-down mode of the system, when the two communication devices are expected NOT to be in a normal use, wherein the partial power-down mode at least comprises a power-down of the components related to the wireless link. This has the advantage of enabling an adaptation of the power consumption to the current needs. The invention may e.g. be used for wireless communication between (portable) low power devices, e.g. between a pair of hearing instruments.