SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING OUTPUT ENERGY LEVELS

• US 20130194746A1
• Filed: 01/30/2012
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Inseego Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Inseego Corp.)
• Inventors: Lockerbie, Ian
• Application Number:
  US13/361,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20130194746A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.48
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/206 comprising thermal management
• 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

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for controlling output energy levels in wireless communications devices, such as wireless USB modems, while optimizing performance of the wireless communications devices. Controlling output energy levels includes controlling specific absorption rate (SAR) levels and heat levels generated by one or more radiating elements in a wireless communications device. Controlling output energy levels is achieved by integrating one or more radiating elements in a movable device, such a fan and/or by incorporating a moving reflector element, such as a fan, proximate to one or more radiating elements. Integrating the one or more radiating elements in, e.g., a fan, or by using a fan near the one or more radiating elements, the radiation pattern resulting from the output energy may be spatially averaged and/or dithered, reducing SAR levels and allowing for excessive output heat energy to be vented and/or one or more radiating elements to be cooled.

Claims

1. A method for managing output energy levels of a device, comprising:

outputting energy from a radiating element of the device; and

dissipating effects of the output energy by moving the radiating element relative to a housing of the device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy output from the radiating element comprises at least one of heat and radiofrequency (RF) energy.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the dissipating of the effects of the output energy comprises at least one of venting excess heat output from the radiating element and cooling the radiating element.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one of the venting of the excess heat output from the radiating element and the cooling of the radiating element is initiated pursuant to sensing of the heat energy via a temperature sensor.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the dissipating of the effects of the output energy comprises spatially averaging a radiation pattern resulting from the outputting of the RF energy from the radiating element.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiating element comprises a plurality of fan blades, each of the plurality of fan blades having incorporated therein a transmitting antenna element, and wherein the device comprises a wireless universal serial bus (USB) modem.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising, balancing the dissipating of the effects of the output energy with a desired power level of the output energy.

8. A computer-readable memory including computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause an apparatus to perform a method as claimed in claim 1.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following;

output energy from a radiating element of the apparatus; and

dissipate effects of the output energy by moving the radiating element relative to a housing of the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the energy output from the radiating element comprises at least one of heat and radiofrequency (RF) energy.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein to perform the dissipating of the effects of the output energy, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least one of vent excess heat output from the radiating element and cool the radiating element.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one of the venting of the excess heat output from the radiating element and the cooling of the radiating element is initiated pursuant to sensing of the heat energy via a temperature sensor.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein to perform the dissipating of the effects of the output energy, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to spatially average a radiation pattern resulting from the outputting of the RF energy from the radiating element.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the radiating element comprises a plurality of fan blades, each of the plurality of fan blades having incorporated therein a transmitting antenna element, and wherein the apparatus comprises a wireless universal serial bus (USB) modem.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to balance the dissipating of the effects of the output energy with a desired power level of the output energy.

16. A method for managing output energy levels of a device, comprising:

outputting energy from a radiating element of the device; and

dissipating effects of the output energy by moving a reflector element proximate to a radiating element of the device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the energy output from the radiating element comprises at least one of heat and radiofrequency (RF) energy.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the reflector element comprises a fan configured to at least one of vent excess heat output from the radiating element and cool the radiating element.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the dissipating of the effects of the output energy comprises dithering a radiation pattern resulting from the outputting of the RF energy from the radiating element.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the reflector element comprises a fan, the radiating element comprises a transmission antenna, and the device comprises a wireless universal serial bus (USB) modem.

21. A computer-readable memory including computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause an apparatus to perform a method as claimed in claim 16.

22. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following;

output energy from a radiating element of the apparatus; and

dissipate effects of the output energy by moving a reflector element proximate to the radiating element.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the energy output from the radiating element comprises at least one of heat and radiofrequency (RF) energy.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the reflector element comprises a fan configured to at least one of vent excess heat output from the radiating element and cool the radiating element.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein to perform the dissipating of the effects of the output energy, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to dither a radiation pattern resulting from the outputting of the RF energy from the radiating element.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the reflector element comprises a fan, the radiating element comprises a transmission antenna, and the apparatus comprises a wireless universal serial bus (USB) modem.