Wireless Power Transfer Training for Ambient IoT Energy Harvesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing energy harvesting from non-3GPP sources for ambient radiation powered devices, leading to inefficiencies in wireless power transfer and potential interference with 3GPP network UEs.

Innovation Solution

A network apparatus initiates a training period where ambient radiation powered devices suspend non-energy reporting transmissions, allowing them to report harvested energy levels periodically, enabling the network to create an energy harvesting model for better power transfer planning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ambient radiation powered devices transmit multiple types of data continuously, then communication activity is maintained, but energy consumption increases and interferes with 3GPP network UEs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network apparatus initiates a training period before normal operation where devices suspend all transmissions except energy reports. This preliminary action allows the network to establish an energy harvesting model and predict future energy availability, enabling proactive scheduling of data transmissions that avoids energy shortages and interference issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts transmission scheduling based on predicted energy harvesting. The network apparatus uses the energy model to determine optimal transmission times, adapting the communication schedule to match the device's energy availability rather than using fixed periodic transmissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If ambient radiation powered devices suspend all transmissions during training period, then energy harvesting accuracy improves, but communication activity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy harvesting measurement accuracyVSAvoidcommunication throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication process is segmented into distinct phases: a training period for energy model establishment, and a subsequent operational phase for data transmission. This segmentation allows the system to prioritize measurement accuracy during the training phase while maintaining communication productivity in the operational phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Devices provide feedback in the form of energy harvesting reports during the training period. The network apparatus uses this feedback to build and refine the energy harvesting model, which then guides future transmission scheduling decisions to optimize both energy efficiency and communication performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If wireless power transfer is performed without energy harvesting model, then power transfer can begin immediately, but service outages and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer setup timeVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary energy harvesting measurements during a training period before initiating power transfer operations. This advance preparation allows the network to predict energy availability and schedule transmissions to avoid service outages, reducing the need for retransmissions and improving overall service continuity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network apparatus uses the trained energy model to predict future energy harvesting amounts, enabling proactive planning of power transfer operations. This allows the system to prepare transmission schedules in advance that align with predicted energy availability, minimizing service disruptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach enhances energy management for ambient IoT devices, reducing service outages and interference by accurately estimating and coordinating wireless power transfer from non-3GPP sources, thus improving network efficiency and coverage.

Implementation Method 1

Wireless energy harvesting enables harvesting of energy from radio frequency signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy harvesting: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250385546A1Wireless power transfer in communications

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

Disclosed is a method comprising an apparatus instructing a set of ambient radiation powered devices to suspend transmissions other than harvested energy reporting during a training period. Upon at least a predefined number of the ambient radiation powered devices in the set agreeing to transmit harvested energy reporting during the training period with a predefined reporting periodicity configured by the apparatus, the apparatus is caused to receive the harvested energy reporting from at least one ambient radiation powered device in the set, with the predefined reporting periodicity configured by the apparatus.