Wireless Microphone Network Signal Merging for Range and Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless microphones face challenges in maintaining reliable audio transmission over a wide range while minimizing power consumption and adhering to regulatory standards, as the signal strength and noise levels vary significantly with the location of the microphone module relative to the base stations.
Innovation Solution
The system employs multiple base stations to continuously receive and relay audio data to a receiver hub, which uses spatial redundancy to combine the strongest signals, temporal redundancy to handle packet loss, and correlation statistics to synthesize missing data, ensuring reliable transmission and reducing the need for high transmitter power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the transmitter power level is increased to extend the operational range, then the allowable physical range is improved, but the power consumption increases and regulatory compliance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines signals from multiple base stations at the receiver hub to achieve signal diversity. By receiving and processing signals from multiple sources simultaneously, the system extends the effective operational range without requiring individual transmitters to operate at higher power levels, thus resolving the contradiction between range extension and power consumption control.
2Reliability
If the transmitter power level is increased to maintain reliable transmission, then the transmission reliability is improved, but the compliance with FCC or other government regulations becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges signals from multiple base stations at the receiver hub, allowing each individual transmitter to operate at lower, regulation-compliant power levels while collectively achieving reliable transmission through signal combination and diversity reception.
3Device complexity
If a single base station is used to receive signals, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reception reliability varies significantly with microphone module location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system where multiple base stations simultaneously receive and relay signals to a central receiver hub that combines them. This merging of multiple reception paths ensures that at least one base station maintains reliable reception regardless of the microphone module's physical location, resolving the contradiction between system complexity and reception reliability.
4Weight of moving object
If the battery weight is reduced to make the microphone module lighter, then the portability is improved, but the battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining signals from multiple base stations, the system enables reliable transmission over extended ranges with lower transmitter power requirements. This allows the use of smaller, lighter batteries that provide sufficient operational life for the reduced power consumption scenario, resolving the contradiction between battery weight and battery life.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices are provided for a wireless microphone network whereby robustness for reception of audio information transmitted by one or more wireless microphones is enhanced. The system incorporates a dual stage approach for collecting, transmitting and receiving audio information. In the first stage, audio information collected by one or more microphone modules is transmitted to a series of receiver base stations. In the second stage, information received at each base station is subsequently transmitted to a receiver hub that selects, blends and/or augments the information to produce a high quality representation for audio information that provides improved robustness and reliability with respect to the movement, physical placement or performance of each microphone module.