Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for limiting or throttling an activity of an accessory device communicatively coupled to a computing device. The activity of the accessory device is limited or throttled in order to reduce electromagnetic interference and improve signal quality of a wireless communication in which the computing device is participating. In some embodiments, a decision to throttle can be based on battery charge level of the computing device. For example, in some embodiments, the accessory device is an accessory battery charger configured to provide power to the computing device when a power outlet is not immediately available. If the signal quality of a phone call from the computing device is diminished or the user is in an area of low signal coverage, the accessory battery charger can be limited or throttled in order to prevent interference between the accessory battery charger and computing device.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for limiting or throttling an activity of an accessory device communicatively coupled to a computing device. The activity of the accessory device is limited or throttled in order to reduce electromagnetic interference and improve signal quality of a wireless communication in which the computing device is participating. In some embodiments, a decision to throttle can be based on battery charge level of the computing device. For example, in some embodiments, the accessory device is an accessory battery charger configured to provide power to the computing device when a power outlet is not immediately available. If the signal quality of a phone call from the computing device is diminished or the user is in an area of low signal coverage, the accessory battery charger can be limited or throttled in order to prevent interference between the accessory battery charger and computing device.

Abstract: A load control device for controlling the power delivered from a power source to an electrical load includes an antenna and a communication circuit to receive and transmit messages via radio frequency (RF) signals. The communication circuit is coupled to the power source but is capacitively coupled to the antenna. The capacitive coupling is formed through multiple layers of a printed circuit board (PCB) in which each layer includes a conductive trace that neighbors another conductive trace on an adjacent layer. The capacitive coupling provides that the antenna is electrically isolated from the communication circuit which accordingly, provides that the antenna is electrically isolated from the power source.

Abstract: A method for determining a physical property of an object or fluid in a dynamic multi-path clutter environment comprises transmitting an RF interrogation signal to a wireless sensor physically coupled to the object or fluid (gas or liquid) in the dynamic multi-path clutter environment, wherein the wireless sensor is operable to receive the RF interrogation signal, produce a reference signal and a measurement signal, and retransmit the reference signal and the measurement signal in the dynamic multi-path clutter environment. The reference signal and measurement signal are delayed by the wireless sensor by an amount of time that may be a function of the unknown physical property. The method also comprises receiving the retransmitted reference signal and the retransmitted measurement signal and comparing them in the time domain in order to determine the unknown physical property of the object or fluid.

Abstract: A load control device for controlling the power delivered from a power source to an electrical load includes an antenna and a communication circuit to receive and transmit messages via radio frequency (RF) signals. The communication circuit is coupled to the power source but is capacitively coupled to the antenna. The capacitive coupling is formed through multiple layers of a printed circuit board (PCB) in which each layer includes a conductive trace that neighbors another conductive trace on an adjacent layer. The capacitive coupling provides that the antenna is electrically isolated from the communication circuit which accordingly, provides that the antenna is electrically isolated from the power source.

Abstract: A method for determining a physical property of an object or fluid in a dynamic multi-path clutter environment comprises transmitting an RF interrogation signal to a wireless sensor physically coupled to the object or fluid (gas or liquid) in the dynamic multi-path clutter environment, wherein the wireless sensor is operable to receive the RF interrogation signal, produce a reference signal and a measurement signal, and retransmit the reference signal and the measurement signal in the dynamic multi-path clutter environment. The reference signal and measurement signal are delayed by the wireless sensor by an amount of time that may be a function of the unknown physical property. The method also comprises receiving the retransmitted reference signal and the retransmitted measurement signal and comparing them in the time domain in order to determine the unknown physical property of the object or fluid.

Abstract: A method for determining a physical property of a structural member in a dynamic multi-path clutter environment is given. The method comprises transmitting an RF interrogation signal to a wireless sensor operable to receive the RF interrogation signal, produce a reference signal and a measurement signal, and transmit the reference signal and the measurement signal in the dynamic multi-path clutter environment. The reference signal is delayed by a first time delay and the measurement signal is delayed by a second time delay that is a function of the physical property to be determined. The first and second time delays are associated by a known relationship defined by the wireless sensor. The method further comprises receiving the transmitted reference signal and the transmitted measurement signal and comparing the transmitted reference signal and the transmitted measurement signal in the time domain. Finally, the method comprises using this comparison to determine the physical property of the structural member.

Abstract: A method for determining a physical property of an object in a multi-path clutter environment comprises transmitting an RF interrogation signal to a wireless sensor physically coupled to the object or the fluid in the multi-path clutter environment, wherein the wireless sensor is operable to receive the RF interrogation signal, produce a reference signal and a measurement signal, and transmit the reference signal and the measurement signal in the multi-path clutter environment. The reference signal and measurement signal are delayed by the wireless sensor by an amount of time that may be a function of the unknown physical property. The method also comprises receiving the transmitted reference signal and the transmitted measurement signal and comparing them in the time domain in order to determine the unknown physical property of the object or the fluid.