Wireless Power Transfer Preamble Detection Under Variable Noise

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless power transfer (WPT) systems face inefficiencies in in-band communication due to improper setting of preamble thresholds, leading to missed data and premature packet detection, especially under varying noise conditions.

Innovation Solution

A device with a controller that measures temporal variations of wireless power and communication signals to dynamically determine thresholds for distinguishing between preamble and data bits, using techniques like amplitude shift keying (ASK) or frequency shift keying (FSK), and adjusts these thresholds based on noise levels to ensure accurate packet identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a fixed preamble threshold is used for packet detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of data transmission deteriorates under varying noise conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreshold setting complexityVSAvoidpacket detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment by continuously monitoring signal characteristics and adapting the preamble detection threshold based on current noise conditions. The threshold is no longer fixed but dynamically updated to match varying transmission environments, resolving the contradiction between simple fixed thresholds and reliable detection under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where detected packets and noise levels are fed back to adjust the preamble threshold. This closed-loop approach allows the threshold to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining accurate packet detection, balancing complexity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the preamble threshold is set too low, then premature packet detection occurs, but the productivity of data transmission is reduced due to false detections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidpacket detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by requiring not just any threshold crossing but a sustained threshold crossing over multiple consecutive samples to confirm packet detection. This partial verification approach reduces false detections while maintaining high detection rates for actual packets, balancing productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the preamble threshold is set too high, then missed data occurs, but the reliability of packet detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket detection accuracyVSAvoiddata loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the threshold parameter based on measured noise levels and signal characteristics. By adjusting the threshold to match current conditions rather than using a fixed value, the system maintains high detection accuracy while minimizing data loss across varying transmission environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If dynamic threshold adjustment is implemented, then the reliability of in-band communication is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication robustnessVSAvoidthreshold control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically monitoring its own performance and adjusting thresholds without external intervention. The device monitors packet detection outcomes and noise levels, then autonomously adjusts its threshold parameters, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4333317A1Wireless power transfer with in-band preamble monitoring and control
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD
  • EP4333317A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4333317A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4333317A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A wireless power transfer device may include a circuit couplable with a coil to transmit or receive a first signal providing wireless power through the coil. The first signal may be modulated with second signals. A packet within any of the second signals may include first bits associated with a preamble and second bits associated with data. The device may further include a controller to measure temporal variations of at least one of the first signal, a rectified version of the first signal, or the one or more second signals. The controller may further determine thresholds for distinguishing between bits in the packet based on the temporal variations. The device may further demodulate the signals using the one or more thresholds to identify the preamble of the packet and extract the second bits associated with data from the packet when the preamble of the packet is identified.