SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING RF EXPLOSURE LEVELS

• US 20100317302A1
• Filed: 07/24/2009
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Novatel Wireless Solutions (Inseego Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Novatel Wireless Solutions (Inseego Corp.)
• Inventors: Greenwood, Ben, Souissi, Slim, Clancy, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US12/509,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20100317302A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/127.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2258 used with computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/245 with means for shaping the antenna pattern, e.g. in order to protect user against rf exposure
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/3042 in modulators, frequency-changers, transmitters or power amplifiers transmission power control in bidirectional transmission systems H04W52/04
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3838 Arrangements for reducing RF exposure to the user, e.g. by changing the shape of the transceiver while in use
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/283 Power depending on the position of the mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/367 Power values between minimum and maximum limits, e.g. dynamic range

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a radio frequency (RF) signal source; and a controller configured to adjust power of the RF signal source based on a detected parameter. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a proximity sensor configured to determine proximity of the RF signal source to live tissue, and the detected parameter is the proximity determined by the proximity sensor. The RF signal source may be an RF antenna. The controller may be configured to reduce the power of the RF signal source when the proximity is less than a predetermined threshold value. The controller may be configured to reduce the power to a predetermined reduced power level.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a radio frequency (RF) signal source; and

a controller configured to adjust power of the RF signal source based on a detected parameter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the RF signal source is an RF antenna.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a proximity sensor configured to determine proximity of the RF signal source to live tissue,

wherein the detected parameter is proximity determined by the proximity sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to reduce the power of the RF signal source when the proximity is less than a predetermined threshold value.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to reduce the power to a predetermined reduced power level.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to reduce the power to a level corresponding to the proximity to live tissue.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the power to result in a specific absorption rate (SAR) for the live tissue from the RF signal source to be no greater than a predetermined SAR.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the proximity sensor is an optical proximity sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the proximity sensor includes an accelerometer configured to determine an orientation of the RF signal source.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detected parameter is a geographic location of the apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the power level is adjusted based on regulatory requirements applicable to the detected geographic location.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the geographic location is determined by one or more of the following:

GPS, AGPS, Cell ID, triangulation, MSC ID, or network ID.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detected parameter is an identity of a network interfacing with the RF signal source.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the power level is adjusted based on information stored in a memory device coupled to the controller.

15. A method, comprising:

detecting a parameter; and

adjusting power of a radio frequency (RF) signal source based on the detected parameter.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the RF signal source is an RF antenna.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

determining proximity of the RF signal source to live tissue,

wherein the detected parameter is the determined proximity.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein adjusting power includes reducing the power of the RF signal source when the proximity is less than a predetermined threshold value.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the power is reduced to a predetermined reduced power level.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the power is reduced to a level corresponding to the proximity to live tissue.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the power is adjusted to result in a specific absorption rate (SAR) for the live tissue from the RF signal source to be no greater than a predetermined SAR.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the detected parameter is a geographic location.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the power level is adjusted based on regulatory requirements applicable to the detected geographic location.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the detected parameter is an identity of a network interfacing with the RF signal source.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the power level is adjusted based on information stored in a memory device.