Application Granted: 7/1/2025
Inventors:
Most Internet of Things (IoT) devices need to use WiFi or other radio-frequency (RF) communication methods to transmit signals, but traditional RF transmissions require a lot of power, which can be a problem for small devices that run on batteries. To solve this problem, UC San Diego researchers led by Professors Patrick Mercier and Dinesh Bharadia have been exploring a new technology called backscatter communication, which allows IoT devices to reflect existing WiFi signals in their environment to communicate with each other using very little power.
The new chip design described in this patent can wake up when it detects a WiFi signal, and then modify and redirect that signal to transmit data. Without the need for a traditional RF transmitter, these devices can operate at very low power: the chip uses only 28 microwatts of power when it's actively communicating, and as little as 2.8 microwatts when it's waiting for a signal. This technology has the potential to enable a new generation of small, low-power IoT devices that can communicate directly by making use of existing WiFi infrastructure, without needing a lot of power or new complicated hardware. This could lead to the development of smaller, more efficient IoT devices that can be used in a wide range of applications.
This invention was made with government support under NSF grant 1923902, and the inventors are currently exploring plans for a new startup based on this technology.
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