Transmit power level determination for communication between an external transceiver and an implantable transceiver

A first communication interface comprising:

• a transceiver configured to receive signals from and transmit signals to a second communication interface;
• and
• communication circuitry configured to:
• determine a minimum power of a transmit power range by adjusting a power level at which a first specified bit is transmitted from the first communication interface to the second communication interface, wherein the communication circuitry repeatedly adjusts the power level until a specified event occurs as a result of the repeated adjustments;
• determine a maximum power of the transmit power range by adjusting a power level at which a second specified bit is transmitted from the first communication interface to the second communication interface, wherein the communication circuitry repeatedly adjusts the power level until a specified event occurs as a result of the repeated adjustments;
• and
• set a transmit power level for signals to be transmitted from the first communication interface to the second communication interface to a preferred power level within the transmit power range.

An external communication interface comprising:

• a transceiver configured to receive signals from and transmit signals to an implantable communication interface;
• and
• communication circuitry configured to:
• determine each of a minimum transmit power level and a maximum transmit power level by intentionally causing signal reception errors to occur at the implantable communication interface, the minimum transmit power level and the maximum transmit power level defining the bounds of a range of power levels;
• and
• select a preferred transmit power level from within the range of power levels, as a power level at which to transmit signals to the implantable communication interface.