Methods and apparatus for multi-frequency beamforming
First Claim
1. A system comprising a beamformer, wherein:
- (a) the beamformer includes a first set of antennas; and
(b) the beamformer is configured to transmit a first set of wireless signals from the first set of antennas during a period of time, in such a way that(i) each antenna in the first set of antennas transmits a specific signal in the first set of signals, which specific signal is different than that transmitted by any other antenna in the first set of antennas, at least because the specific signal has a carrier frequency that is different than that of each other signal in the first set of signals;
(ii) the first set of signals has a distribution of carrier frequencies; and
(iii) the distribution of carrier frequencies maximizes peak power received at a spatial position external to the beamformer, which peak power occurs during a subperiod of the period of time, which subperiod occurs while constructive interference of the signals at the spatial position is at a global maximum for the period of time.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Multiple antennas of a beamformer may simultaneously transmit wireless signals at different frequencies. The signals may comprise synchronized, identical wireless commands, each at a different carrier frequency. The transmitted signals may constructively and destructively interfere with each other at a receiver antenna, to form a beat signal. When the transmitted signals constructively interfere, the beat signal may cause a voltage in the receiver to exceed a threshold voltage. The threshold voltage may be a minimum voltage at which a device, which is operatively connected to the receiver antenna, is able to perform energy harvesting or wireless communication. The beamformer may operate under blind channel conditions, because the transmitted frequencies may be selected in such a way as to maximize peak power delivered under all possible channel conditions. The beamformer may deliver wireless power to a sensor or actuator that is located deep inside bodily tissue.
6 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system comprising a beamformer, wherein:
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(a) the beamformer includes a first set of antennas; and (b) the beamformer is configured to transmit a first set of wireless signals from the first set of antennas during a period of time, in such a way that (i) each antenna in the first set of antennas transmits a specific signal in the first set of signals, which specific signal is different than that transmitted by any other antenna in the first set of antennas, at least because the specific signal has a carrier frequency that is different than that of each other signal in the first set of signals; (ii) the first set of signals has a distribution of carrier frequencies; and (iii) the distribution of carrier frequencies maximizes peak power received at a spatial position external to the beamformer, which peak power occurs during a subperiod of the period of time, which subperiod occurs while constructive interference of the signals at the spatial position is at a global maximum for the period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system comprising multiple transmitters, wherein:
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(a) the multiple transmitters include a first set of antennas; and (b) the multiple transmitters are configured to transmit a first set of wireless signals from the first set of antennas during a period of time, in such a way that (i) each antenna in the first set of antennas transmits a specific signal in the first set of signals, which specific signal is different than that transmitted by any other antenna in the first set of antennas, at least because the specific signal has a carrier frequency that is different than that of each other signal in the first set of signals; (ii) the first set of signals has a distribution of carrier frequencies; and (iii) the distribution of carrier frequencies maximizes peak power received at a receiver, which peak power occurs during a subperiod of the period of time, which subperiod occurs when constructive interference of the signals at the receiver is at a global maximum for the period of time.
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18. A system comprising a beamformer, wherein:
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(a) the beamformer includes a first set of transmitters; and (b) the beamformer is configured to transmit a first set of wireless signals from the first set of transmitters during a period of time, in such a way that (i) each transmitter in the first set of transmitters transmits a specific signal in the first set of signals, which specific signal is different than that transmitted by any other transmitter in the first set of transmitters, at least because the specific signal has a carrier frequency that is different than that of each other signal in the first set of signals; (ii) the first set of signals has a distribution of carrier frequencies; and (iii) the distribution of carrier frequencies maximizes peak power received at a spatial position external to the beamformer, which peak power occurs during a subperiod of the period of time, which subperiod occurs while constructive interference of the signals at the spatial position is at a global maximum for the period of time. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification