Abstract:
Examples of receivers and receiver techniques are described herein. An example system may include a carrier source that may provide a wireless carrier signal and a wireless communication device, separate from the carrier source. The wireless communication device may provide a wireless communication signal containing data. A receiver may include an antenna positioned to receive the wireless carrier signal and the wireless communication signal, a two-port mixer coupled to the antenna and configured to mix the wireless carrier signal and the wireless communication signal to provide an intermediate frequency signal, and a demodulator configured to extract, at least in part, the data from the intermediate frequency signal.
Abstract:
Examples described herein utilize a backscatter signal provided by a wirelessly powered device to estimate channel information, (e.g., a channel transfer function) between the wirelessly powered device and a transmitter system. The channel information may be used to optimize MIMO power transfer for linear as well as nonlinear backscatter devices. Examples of die method ‘may shift some or all of the power cost and complexity of coherent channel measurements from the WFD to the transmitters), and allow WPT optimization to milliwatt- or microwatt-class wirelessly powered devices.
Abstract:
Apparatuses, sensor nodes, systems and methods for modulating and transmitting sensor data wirelessly to an existing power line network are described. An apparatus may include a microcontroller having an oscillator and an input/output buffer. The microcontroller may process an electrical signal and the input/output buffer may drive a digital signal. The apparatus may include a transmitter utilizing the oscillator and the input/output buffer of the microcontroller. The transmitter may include a resonator coupled to the oscillator and modulation circuitry coupled to the oscillator and resonator. The resonator may modulate a frequency of the oscillator responsive to a modulation signal based on the processed electrical signal. The transmitter may further include an antenna coupled to the input/output buffer of the microcontroller for transmission of the data, and a resonant tank coupled to an output of the input/output buffer to provide an analog signal to the antenna.
Abstract:
Apparatuses, receivers, systems and methods for receiving data via a power line infrastructure. An exemplary apparatus includes a base station configured to receive a signal from a power line of a structure by coupling to the power line through an electrical outlet. The base station may include an impedance matching circuit configured to match an impedance of the power line of the structure, and a receiver coupled to the impedance matching circuit. The receiver may be configured to demodulate the signal received from the power line of the structure, convert the demodulated signal into a digital signal, and provide the digital signal to a decoder.
Abstract:
Apparatuses, sensor nodes, systems and methods for modulating and transmitting sensor data wirelessly to an existing power line network are described. An apparatus may include a microcontroller having an oscillator and an input/output buffer. The microcontroller may process an electrical signal and the input/output buffer may drive a digital signal. The apparatus may include a transmitter utilizing the oscillator and the input/output buffer of the microcontroller. The transmitter may include a resonator coupled to the oscillator and modulation circuitry coupled to the oscillator and resonator. The resonator may modulate a frequency of the oscillator responsive to a modulation signal based on the processed electrical signal. The transmitter may further include an antenna coupled to the input/output buffer of the microcontroller for transmission of the data, and a resonant tank coupled to an output of the input/output buffer to provide an analog signal to the antenna.
Abstract:
Examples of active millimeter-wave imaging systems are described which may utilize modulation schemes to provide illumination signals. The use of modulation techniques may allow for the use of direct-conversion receivers while retaining an ability to separate desired received signal from self-jamming and/or DC offset signal(s) generated by the direct-conversion receivers. In some examples, modulation schemes include the use of balanced orthogonal codes which may support MIMO or massive MIMO imaging systems.
Abstract:
Examples of digital architectures for OFDM backscatter communication are described herein that use RF switches and discrete loads to implement digitally controlled single-sideband OFDM backscatter devices. One or more transforms may be implemented, including one or more IFFTs, LUTs, and/or numerically-controlled oscillators using one or more sine LUTs.
Abstract:
Examples of imaging systems are described herein which may implement microwave or millimeter wave imaging systems. Examples described may implement partitioned inverse techniques which may construct and invert a measurement matrix to be used to provide multiple estimates of reflectivity values associated with a scene. The processing may be partitioned in accordance with a relative position of the antenna system and/or a particular beamwidth of an antenna. Examples described herein may perform an enhanced resolution mode of imaging which may steer beams at multiple angles for each measurement position.
Abstract:
Examples described herein include devices and methods that may facilitate interoperability between backscatter devices and wireless communication devices. For example, backscatter devices and methods for backscattering are described that provide a transmitted backscattered signal formatted in accordance with a wireless communication protocol (e.g. Bluetooth Low Energy, WiFi, IEEE 802.11, or IEEE 802.15.4). Such communication may reduce or eliminate any modifications required to wireless communication devices necessary to receive and decode backscattered signals.
Abstract:
Apparatuses, receivers, systems and methods for receiving data via a power line infrastructure. An exemplary apparatus includes a base station configured to receive a signal from a power line of a structure by coupling to the power line through an electrical outlet. The base station may include an impedance matching circuit configured to match an impedance of the power line of the structure, and a receiver coupled to the impedance matching circuit. The receiver may be configured to demodulate the signal received from the power line of the structure, convert the demodulated signal into a digital signal, and provide the digital signal to a decoder.