WIRELESS CONTROL DEVICE

• US 20130127605A1
• Filed: 04/11/2011
• Published: 05/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Beasley, Paul, Heid, Oliver
• Application Number:
  US13/642,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20130127605A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/13.25
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/75 using transponders powered from received waves, e.g. using passive transponders , or using passive reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/758 using a signal generator powered by the interrogation signal
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07786 the antenna being of the HF type, such as a dipole
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/10 Power supply of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/408 the transmitter oscillator frequency being identical to the receiver local oscillator frequency

Abstract

A wireless control device may include an antenna and a power harvester configured to generate power for the device from a radio frequency signal incident on the antenna. The device may further include an upconverter stage comprising a first port to receive a control signal to be upconverted and a second port to receive the incident radio frequency signal and to output the upconverted control signal at upper and lower sideband frequencies. The antenna may be coupled to the second port.

Claims

1. A wireless control device, comprising:

an antenna;

a power harvester configured to generate power for the device from a radio frequency signal incident on the antenna;

a power splitter configured to split the incident signal;

an upconverter stage comprising a two port system embodied as either (a) a low noise amplifier and a two port mixer or (b) a two port parametric amplifier

wherein the two port system comprises a first port configured to receive a control signal to be upconverted and a second port configured to receive the incident radio frequency signal and to output the upconverted control signal at upper and lower sideband frequencies; and

wherein the antenna is coupled to the second port.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the upconverter stage comprises a two port parametric amplifier having a low noise amplifier provided at the first port of the parametric amplifier.

3. A device according to claim 1,

wherein the upconverter stage comprises a two port parametric amplifier comprising a pair of varactor diodes connected between the first port and the second port;

wherein the diodes are connected in parallel from the first port and in series from the second port;

wherein the first port is configured to receive an input signal via the low noise amplifier; and

wherein the second port configured to receive an incident local oscillator signal and output an upconverted amplified input signal.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein the power harvester is configured to provide a DC voltage supply to the low noise amplifier.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the power harvester includes a Cockcroft Walton multiplier.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the power harvester includes an impedance circuit configured to increase the available RF voltage from the local oscillator prior to rectification to DC.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the upconverter stage comprises a low noise amplifier and a two port mixer, and the power splitter is coupled between the second port of the mixer and the antenna.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the power splitter is configured to split incident local oscillator power between two outputs, with one output being connected to the power harvester and the other output being connected to the second port of the upconverter stage.

9. A device according to claim 7, wherein the power splitter comprises one of a directional coupler and a Wilkinson coupler.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the second port receives signals in the frequency range 2 GHz to 3 GHz.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless control device is one of a games console remote control, a personal entertainment remote control, a keyboard, and a mouse.

12. A wireless system comprising:

a host comprising;

a signal, generator configured to generate a radio frequency signal; and

a host antenna configured to transmit the radio frequency signal; and

a device comprising;

a device antenna receive the radio frequency signal transmitted, by the host antenna;

a power harvester configured to generate power for the device from the received radio frequency signal;

a power splitter configured to split the received, radio frequency signal; and

an upconverter stage comprising a two port system embodied as either (a) a low noise amplifier and a two port mixer or (b) a two port parametric amplifier

wherein the two port system comprises a first port configured to receive a control signal to be upconverted and a second port configured to receive the radio frequency signal and to output the upconverted control signal at upper and lower sideband frequencies; and

wherein the device antenna is coupled to the second port.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the upconverter stage of the device comprises a two port parametric amplifier having a low noise amplifier provided at the first port of the parametric amplifier.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the power harvester is configured to provide a DC voltage supply to the low noise amplifier.

15. A system according to claim 12,

wherein the upconverter stage of the device comprises a two port parametric amplifier comprising a pair of varactor diodes connected between the first port and the second port;

wherein the diodes are connected in parallel from the first port and in series from the second port;

wherein the first port is configured to receive an input signal via the low noise amplifier; and

wherein the second port configured to receive an incident local oscillator signal and output an upconverted amplified input signal.

16. A system according to claim 12, wherein the power harvester includes a Cockcroft Walton multiplier.

17. A system according to claim 12, wherein the power harvester includes an impedance circuit configured to increase the available RF voltage from the local oscillator prior to rectification to DC.

18. A system according to claim 12, wherein the upconverter stage of the device comprises a low noise amplifier and a two port mixer, and the power splitter is coupled between the second port of the mixer and the device antenna.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the power splitter is configured to split incident local oscillator power between two outputs, with one output being connected to the power harvester and the other output being connected to the second port of the upconverter stage.

20. A system according to claim 18, wherein the power splitter comprises one of a directional coupler and a Wilkinson coupler.