System and method for radio frequency (RF) sensing to determine device parameters

A method for RF sensing to determine device parameters, comprising:

• transmitting from a first antenna of a device a unique signal on an unlicensed frequency band at a power level higher than a power level that communication circuitry transmits a communication signal on a licensed frequency band;
• receiving a return signal at a second antenna at the device responsive to the unique signal;
• determining an amplitude and phase (td) of the return signal;
• comparing the determined amplitude and phase (td) of the return signal to a known set of amplitudes and phases corresponding to one or more device characterization profiles;
• based on the comparing, determining a use state of the device;
• and
• based on the determined use state, altering a device parameter of the device.

A device, comprising:

• means for transmitting from first antenna means a unique signal on an unlicensed frequency band at a power level higher than a power level that communication circuitry transmits a communication signal on a licensed frequency band;
• means for receiving a return signal at a second antenna means responsive to the unique signal;
• means for determining an amplitude and phase (td) of the return signal;
• means for comparing the determined amplitude and phase (td) of the return signal to a known set of amplitudes and phases corresponding to one or more device characterization profiles;
• means for determining, based on the comparing, a use state of the device;
• and
• means for altering, based on the determined use state, an operating parameter of the device.

A device, comprising:

• communication circuitry configured to send and receive communications on a licensed frequency band;
• transmission circuitry configured to send a sensing signal from a first antenna of the device on an unlicensed frequency band while the device is in a call for the licensed frequency band, the transmission circuitry configured to send the sensing signal using a power higher than a power used by the communication circuitry to send and receive signals on the licensed frequency band during the call;
• receive circuitry configured to process a receive signal received at a second antenna of the device based on the sensing signal during the call;
• and
• a processor configured to adjust an operating parameter of the device based on the processed receive signal.