More Capability Doesn't Have to Mean Bigger Boxes
Gone are the days of the large block-sized TVs and the bulky technical equipment dominating an entire entertainment center. As Wi-Fi devices proliferate around our homes today, consumers want elegant technology that's subtle, sleek and complements the modern domestic aesthetic.
So how can design engineers create devices with these requirements in mind? This article discusses some practical ways to accomplish this — offering insight for designing systems that are effective as well as elegant for the modern smart home.
Wi-Fi Coverage vs. Power Dissipation
在洛杉矶st few years, operators typically offered one large router using raw power to achieve wireless coverage throughout the entire home. But with the steady increase of devices, especially around the Internet of Things (IoT), consumers are requiring more coverage in more places than ever before. Unfortunately, simply increasing the power may lead to increases in heat and adding internal components, like an extra fan, to handle the higher temperatures, doesn’t lend well to designing equipment with customer appeal.
In order to address possible power dissipation problems head on, designers can create more efficient devices that generate less heat from the onset thus eliminating the need for added fans and other bulk-building items. In addition to using fewer internal components — which decreases the overall cost of materials — designing with power efficiency in mind reduces form factor and enables front end module composition that's small and sleek.
One solution gaining in popularity is the mesh Wi-Fi system. With this method, whole-home wireless coverage can be achieved using multiple smaller, more discrete Wi-Fi nodes. Instead of relying on a single router to spread signals across all living spaces, this concept deploys easy-to-set-up plug-in wireless nodes that are often smaller than a smoke detector — and better looking. Adding to their appeal, some thoughtfully-designed access points offer home-friendly options like hallway LED lights or weather resistance for those outdoor entertainment areas. These elegant products create a mesh of wireless signal which extends connection capabilities across the home and adds additional data backhaul management.
过滤VS.表单因子
在设计Wi-Fi产品时，另一个挑战是围绕现代家庭成员智能手机，游戏系统，可穿戴健身传感器，家庭安全系统，甚至通过IOT进行通信的冰箱和微波炉的各种挑战。考虑到信号干扰比以前更难，所有这些信号都在当今的家中同时处理。设计师如何管理所有流量，因此信号不会丢弃或延迟，同时保持设备的形状因子小？
当拟合ZigBee，线程和蓝牙低能量（BLE）能力进入硬件时，它们通常在单独的芯片上提供。一个大空间保护程序是使用一个多功能芯片，可以同时发送和接收ZigBee，线程和BLE协议。将它们拟合到一个芯片上，使共存仲裁能够发生在芯片上，而不是需要单独的处理器和支持软件代码。合并IoT无线电功能不仅有益于范围，还可以确保丢弃或延迟较少。并且特别是，这种多功能芯片减少了设备本身的尺寸。
强化干扰分辨率，在未使用的频率下改进的抑制来强化干扰分辨率，允许多个RF信号在一起共存。这提供了更高的容量和更有效地使用可用带宽，同时保持极端线性，更高的调制和长突发广播。另外，可以在保持规范顺应性的同时改善Wi-Fi范围和覆盖，并通过干扰分辨率解决方案。
智能家居设备与设计
Another significant method to increase Wi-Fi design efficiency is using highly integrated discrete front-end modules (FEMs). FEMs can contribute to a 45 percent smaller form factor significantly decreasing the PCB footprint in IP clients, bridges and extenders — allowing designers to create sleeker products that consumers won't mind displaying in their homes.
这些创新对于快速推动我们沟通更高效和更容易实现的连接设备至关重要。随着今天建造的这些令人兴奋的IOT和智能家居产品，真的无需牺牲设计以实现所需的无线功能。有可能拥有我们所有人想要的风格所需的性能。