Communication circuit and method for communicating with a base station over a channel

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to communication circuitry and methods for communicating with a base station over a channel. A method for communication circuitry includes providing an analog circuitry for receiving and processing a beacon signal from an antenna unit over the channel using the analog circuitry to generate a baseband communication signal; providing a digital circuitry for processing the baseband communication signal; waking up at least a portion of elements of the analog circuitry and the digital circuitry to detect a signal power strength of the channel during a predetermined early reception period corresponding to the beacon signal transmitted by the base station; and determining whether to control the analog circuitry and the digital circuitry to enter a standby mode for power saving based on the signal power strength.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a wireless network communication mechanism, and more particularly to a communication circuit and method for communicating with a base station via a channel. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, existing wireless communication circuits operate in a low-power state to save energy when no signal is being received. However, when a beacon signal from a base station needs to be received, the analog and digital circuit components of the communication circuit must be precisely woken up to avoid the inability to receive the beacon signal. However, the precise timing for waking up the circuit components cannot be achieved solely through software calculation. This is related to the network status or environment of the wireless communication, often requiring the circuit components to be woken up in advance, leading to unnecessary power consumption of the existing wireless communication circuit. Therefore, it cannot effectively meet current energy-saving requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to disclose a communication circuit and a corresponding method for communicating with a base station via a channel, in order to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a communication circuit for communicating with a base station via a channel is disclosed. The communication circuit includes an analog circuit, a digital circuit, and a control circuit. The analog circuit is coupled to an antenna unit and is used to receive and process a beacon signal from the antenna unit via the channel to generate a baseband communication signal. The digital circuit is coupled to the analog circuit and is used to process the baseband communication signal. The control circuit is coupled to the analog circuit and the digital circuit and is used to wake up at least a portion of the components of the analog circuit and the digital circuit during a predetermined early reception period corresponding to the beacon signal transmitted by the base station to detect a signal power intensity of the channel, and to determine whether to control the analog circuit and the digital circuit to enter a standby mode to save power based on the signal power intensity.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for a communication circuit to communicate with a base station via a channel is further disclosed. The method includes: providing an analog circuit for receiving and processing a beacon signal from an antenna element via the channel to generate a baseband communication signal; providing a digital circuit for processing the baseband communication signal; during a predetermined early reception period corresponding to the beacon signal transmitted by the base station, waking up at least a portion of components of the analog circuit and the digital circuit to detect a signal power intensity of the channel; and determining, based on the signal power intensity, whether to control the analog circuit and the digital circuit to enter a standby mode to save power. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the operation timing of the communication device in the first application scenario.

[0008] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the operation timing of the communication device in the second application scenario.

[0009] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the operation timing of the communication device in the third application scenario.

[0010] Figure 5 This is according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The flowchart shown is the operation flowchart of the communication circuit. Detailed Implementation

[0011] This invention aims to provide a technical solution, communication device, and corresponding method for successfully and correctly receiving a beacon signal from a wireless network within a specific period while minimizing power consumption. The technical solution involves periodically or irregularly detecting and judging power and / or channel status when a beacon signal is expected to be received, and switching to a Low Power State (LPS) mode as needed to achieve energy saving. For example, when a beacon signal is expected to be received but the actual arrival time is uncertain, this invention can be used. When the communication device enters an Early Receive mode or a predetermined early receive period, it only wakes up the necessary circuitry to periodically or irregularly detect and judge power and / or channel status, and switches to the LPS mode as needed to reduce power consumption.

[0012] Furthermore, the technical solution provided by this invention is applicable to LPS modes in various application scenarios of a wireless network. This wireless network can be a wireless area network standard using beacon signals for communication under various versions of the IEEE 802.11 specification, or it can be a wireless network provided by other wireless communication standards using beacon signals, such as the communication standards used in mobile communication systems or Bluetooth communication. In one embodiment, the LPS mode may include a Shutdown Mode, a Sleep Mode, or a Standby Mode. In practice, the Standby Mode can be a PowerGated Mode and / or a Clock Gated Mode, etc. The power consumption of the Standby Mode is higher than that of the Shutdown Mode, but its mode switching speed is higher than that of the Shutdown Mode; other details will be provided later.

[0013] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a communication device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 100 includes an antenna unit 105, a processor system 110, and a communication circuit 115. The communication circuit 115 is used to communicate with at least one base station through at least one channel and is, for example, an integrated circuit chip (but not limited to) disposed on a printed circuit board 120, and has a communication interface 125 connected to the processor system 110 to communicate with a drive circuit 130 of the processor system 110. The communication circuit 115 includes an analog circuit 135, a digital circuit 140, and a control circuit 145. The communication circuit 115 conforms to a communication standard specification of a wireless local area network system, and the base station is a wireless local area access point (WLAN access point). The analog circuit 135 is, for example, or includes a radio frequency signal circuit unit. The analog circuit 135 is coupled to the antenna unit 105. In this embodiment, as a receiver, it is used to receive and process a beacon signal or a data packet signal from the antenna unit 105 through a channel to generate a baseband communication signal. The digital circuit 140 includes a baseband signal circuit unit 150 and a media access control (MAC) circuit unit 155. The digital circuit 140 is coupled to the analog circuit 135 and is used to process the baseband communication signal.

[0014] The control circuit 145 is, for example, a firmware circuit coupled to the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140, and is used to wake up at least a portion of the components of the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 during a predetermined early reception period corresponding to the beacon signal transmitted by the base station to detect a signal power strength of the channel, and to determine whether to control the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 to enter a standby mode to save power based on the signal power strength.

[0015] For example, the baseband signal circuit unit 150 may include multiple circuit modules, such as a power detection module 150A for Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), a channel state detection module 150B (e.g., a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) detection module), and other various processing modules. For power detection, the power detection module 150A and / or the channel state detection module 150B can be activated to perform power detection, while other circuit modules can enter standby mode. For clear channel assessment, only the channel state detection module 150B can be activated to perform power detection, while other circuit modules can enter standby mode. In practice, the standby mode here refers to, for example, a power gate control mode or a clock gate control mode.

[0016] In one embodiment, when the signal power intensity is less than a specific threshold, the control circuit 145 determines that the initial synchronization signal of the beacon signal has not yet arrived at the communication circuit 115 through the channel, and controls the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 to switch into the standby mode during the predetermined early reception period. When the signal power intensity is greater than or equal to the specific threshold, the control circuit 145 determines that the initial synchronization signal of the beacon signal has arrived at the communication circuit 115, and then wakes up other components of the digital circuit 140 to switch from, for example, the standby mode (or power-off mode) into a signal receiving mode.

[0017] In other embodiments, when the signal power intensity exceeds the specific threshold, the control circuit 145 then controls at least a portion of the components of the digital circuit 140 (i.e., the channel state detection module 150B) to perform CCA detection. When the signal power intensity exceeds the specific threshold and the idle channel assessment does not indicate an idle state, the control circuit 145 determines that an initial synchronization signal of the beacon signal has arrived at the communication circuit 115, and then wakes up other components of the digital circuit 140 to enter the signal receiving mode. When the signal power intensity exceeds the specific threshold and the idle channel assessment indicates an idle state, the control circuit 145 determines that the initial synchronization signal of the beacon signal has not yet arrived at the communication circuit 115, and controls the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 (e.g., the power detection module 150A and the channel state detection module 150B) to enter the standby mode to save power.

[0018] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the operation timing of the communication device 100 in a first application scenario. Figure 2 As shown, in the first application scenario, the communication device 100 wakes up from a sleep mode to receive a beacon signal. For example, the sleep mode may be a shutdown mode. The total transmission time of the beacon signal is about 2 milliseconds. However, the actual arrival time of the beacon at the communication device 100 may vary depending on the network environment. The communication device 100 will first enter an early reception mode or a predetermined early reception period, for example, waking up 5 to 8 milliseconds in advance to prepare to receive the beacon signal. The above-mentioned time length is not a limitation of the present invention.

[0019] Under the technical solution of this invention, some circuits or modules of the communication device 100 can be effectively awakened to check whether the initial synchronization signal of the beacon (e.g., the beacon's synchronization preamble) has arrived at the communication device 100, so as to decide whether to enter the normal signal receiving mode to receive the subsequent content signal of the beacon signal. For example, if the beginning of the beacon signal has not arrived at the communication device 100, then, for example, analog circuit 135 (e.g., radio frequency signal circuit unit) and / or digital circuit 140 (e.g., baseband signal circuit unit 150 and / or media access control circuit unit 155) can be controlled to enter LPS mode to save power consumption. Figure 2The value shown on the X-axis corresponds to time, and the value shown on the Y-axis corresponds to power consumption, such as the average power consumption per second (but not limited to this). In the figure, apart from the beacon's synchronization preamble and the beacon's content squares, the width of each other rectangular square corresponds to the time length, and its height corresponds to the power consumption.

[0020] Before the start of time period T1, i.e. during time period T0, the communication device 100 is, for example, in a low-power state mode in a shutdown mode. In this mode, the communication device 100 is in a sleep state, does not receive beacons, and the power supply to the components or modules of the analog circuit 135 and digital circuit 140 is turned off, minimizing power consumption. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the low-power state mode can also be a power-gated mode or a clock-gated mode. A power-gated mode refers to turning off the power to a portion of the components or modules, while a clock-gated mode refers to turning off (or not providing) the clock signal to a portion of the components or modules without turning off their power, thus preventing the components or modules from operating and saving power.

[0021] Next, in response to the trigger signal sent by the drive circuit 130 through the communication interface 125, the control circuit 145 anticipates needing to receive a beacon. Therefore, during time period T1, the control circuit 145 controls the analog circuit (i.e., the RF signal circuit unit) 135 to wake up for RF setting and to operate the analog circuit 135 in normal RF signal transmission and reception. It also controls a specific component or module of the digital circuit 140 to wake up and operate in normal mode. This specific component or module could be, for example, the power detection module 150A and the channel status detection module 150B of the baseband signal circuit unit 150, while other modules are not yet awake. Alternatively, it could be a component or module of the media access control circuit unit 155 that wakes up, while other modules are not yet awake. The time required to wake up from the power-off mode is approximately 100–120 microseconds, but is not limited to this.

[0022] Whether waking up from a power-off mode or switching from a standby mode, during time period T2, the control circuit 145 controls the digital circuit 140, such as the baseband signal circuit unit 150, to perform power detection. For example, to improve detection accuracy and reduce power consumption, the required time can be set to 0.8 to 3.2 microseconds (but is not limited). When the power detection result meets the expected requirements (e.g., the RSSI value is greater than a specific threshold), the control circuit 145 then controls the digital circuit 140 to perform CCA detection; otherwise, the control circuit 145 determines and controls the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 to return to LPS mode to save power. In this application scenario, at the end of time period T2, the control circuit 145 determines that the power detection result meets the expected requirements.

[0023] Therefore, during time period T3, the control circuit 145 controls the digital circuit 140, such as the baseband signal circuit unit 150, to perform CCA detection. If the result signal obtained from the CCA detection is raised ('1') during time period T3, it indicates that the beacon's synchronization preamble has arrived and the channel is transmitting data instead of being idle. Therefore, the communication device 100 controls other circuit elements or modules of the digital circuit 140 to enter normal receiving mode to receive the subsequent content of the beacon. Conversely, if the result signal obtained from the CCA detection is not raised ('0') during time period T3, it indicates that although the beacon is expected to be received, the beacon's synchronization preamble has not yet arrived and the channel is idle. In this case, the communication device 100 will enter standby mode. The control circuit 145 controls the elements or modules of the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 to enter standby mode to save power; the duration of time period T3 can be set to 8 to 25 microseconds (but is not limited).

[0024] Alternatively, in other embodiments, the processing time T3 may not be set. That is, when the power detection result meets expectations, the communication device 100 can immediately enter the normal receiving mode and no longer perform CCA detection. In this case, if the power detection result does not meet expectations, the communication device 100 will enter a low-power state mode. In this application scenario, the signal obtained by CCA detection during the time period T3 is not pulled up ('0'), so the communication device 100 enters a standby mode. During the time period T4, the components or modules of the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 will enter a standby mode to save power. In practice, when entering the standby mode, the baseband signal circuit unit 150 in the digital circuit 140 will enter a clock-gated mode to save power. The duration of the time period T4 can be set to 45 to 90 microseconds (but is not limited) to accommodate beacon reception.

[0025] Next, after the end of time period T4, the control circuit 145 will control the analog circuit 135 to wake up and control the baseband signal circuit unit 150 in the digital circuit 140 to switch from clock gating mode to normal mode during time period T5. The time period T5 is much shorter than the time period T1. For example, the estimated length of the time period T5 may be 0.1 to 1 microsecond (but not limited).

[0026] Next, during time period T6, the control circuit 145 controls the digital circuit 140, such as the baseband signal circuit unit 150, to perform power detection. For example, in this application scenario, although... Figure 2 The start of the synchronization preamble of the beacon shown has arrived at the communication device 100 at a certain point in time period T6. However, during time period T6, the power detection results do not meet the expected requirements. Therefore, the control circuit 145 decides not to perform subsequent CCA detection and enters standby mode. At this time, it controls the analog circuit 135 to re-enter standby mode and controls the baseband signal circuit unit 150 in the digital circuit 140 to re-enter clock gating mode to save power. It should be noted that time period T7 represents the period during which the analog circuit 135 is in standby mode and the baseband signal circuit unit 150 in the digital circuit 140 enters clock gating mode to save power. The length of time period T7 can be set to the same length as the aforementioned time period T4, or it can be different (not limited).

[0027] Similarly, after the end of time period T7, during time period T8, the control circuit 145 will control the analog circuit 135 to wake up and control the baseband signal circuit unit 150 in the digital circuit 140 to switch from clock gating mode to signal receiving mode. This time period T8 is also much shorter than time period T1. For example, the estimated length of time period T8 may be 0.1 to 1 microsecond (but not limited).

[0028] Similarly, during time period T9, the control circuit 145 controls the digital circuit 140, such as the baseband signal circuit unit 150, to perform power detection. For example, in this application scenario, the control circuit 145 determines that the result of the power detection meets the expected requirements, and then performs CCA detection. In this application scenario, the signal obtained by CCA detection is pulled up ('1'), indicating that the channel is not currently idle (i.e., the expected beacon has arrived). Therefore, after time period T9 ends, the communication device 100 enters normal receiving mode to receive the beacon content. In this case, all modules of the digital circuit 140 enter normal signal receiving mode.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, a beacon signal includes a synchronization preamble signal / preamble and a beacon data content signal. In this application scenario, the communication device 100 can enter the beacon receiving mode before the beacon data content signal arrives. Therefore, even if it misses part of the beacon's preamble signal / preamble, it can still successfully receive the beacon signal content. In practice, the communication device 100 still has a time margin of T10. As long as the time length of T10 is greater than a specific time length requirement, the communication device 100 can successfully receive and find a Start of Frame Delimiter (SFD). Therefore, even if the beginning of the beacon's synchronization preamble signal is missed during the power detection period, the beacon's SFD can still be found, and the beacon can be successfully received. In addition, it should be noted that after successfully receiving the beacon signal, the communication device 100 can keep the analog circuit 135 in signal receiving mode, switch it to power-off mode, or switch it to standby mode, depending on different needs; this is not a limitation of the present invention.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the operation timing of the communication device 100 in a second application scenario. Figure 3 As shown, in the second application scenario, the communication device 100 is in a long-term sleep mode, such as a Target Wake Time (TWT) mode. TWT mode refers to the mode in which the communication device 100 saves energy by using a Timing Synchronization Function (TSF) in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. However, since a long sleep in this mode can still cause asynchrony between the transmitting and receiving ends due to clock differences, in TWT mode, the base station (e.g., an Access Point (AP)) is arranged to send a beacon signal to the communication device 100 for clock synchronization. For example, the base station can choose to periodically send a beacon signal to the communication device 100 at any time point within a specific beacon transmission time. The total duration of this specific beacon transmission time is approximately 102 to 307.2 milliseconds (but not limited). The communication device 100 can receive the beacon signal using the technical solution of the present invention to significantly save power consumption of the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140. The operation of the communication device 100 in the second application scenario is similar to that in the first application scenario; the explanation is as follows.

[0031] like Figure 3As shown, during time A0, the communication device 100 is, for example, in a low-power state mode TWT mode, in which the communication device 100 is in sleep mode and does not receive beacons, and the power supply to the components or modules of the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 is turned off. Next, the drive circuit 130, for example, anticipates the start time of the specific beacon transmission time and therefore sends a trigger signal to the control circuit 145. The control circuit 145, anticipating the need to receive a beacon signal in response to the trigger signal sent by the drive circuit 130 via the communication interface 125, then, during time period A1, the control circuit 145 controls the analog circuit (i.e., the RF signal circuit unit) 135 to wake up for RF settings and to operate in normal RF signal transmission and reception mode. It also controls a specific component or module of the digital circuit 140 to wake up and operate in normal mode. This specific component or module could be, for example, the power detection module 150A and the channel status detection module 150B of the baseband signal circuit unit 150, while other modules are not yet awake. Alternatively, it could be a component or module of the media access control circuit unit 155 that wakes up, while other modules are not yet awake. The duration of time period A1 is shorter than... Figure 2 The duration of time period T1 is shown.

[0032] Then, during time period A2, the control circuit 145 controls the digital circuit 140, such as the baseband signal circuit unit 150, to perform power detection. When the power detection result meets the expected requirements (e.g., the RSSI value is greater than a specific threshold), the control circuit 145 then controls the digital circuit 140 to perform CCA detection; otherwise, the control circuit 145 determines and controls the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 to return to LPS mode to save power. In this application scenario, at the end of time period A2, the control circuit 145 determines that the power detection result does not meet the expected requirements. Therefore, during time period A3, the control circuit 145 will control the components or modules of the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 to return to LPS mode to save power. For example, if it is known that a beacon signal will be received, the components or modules of the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 will enter standby mode instead of power-off mode in order to save power and quickly switch to normal signal receiving mode.

[0033] Similarly, after time period A3 ends, during time period A4, the components or modules of analog circuit 135 and digital circuit 140 switch back from standby mode to normal signal receiving mode. During time period A5, the digital circuit 140, such as baseband signal circuit unit 150, performs power detection and judgment. In this case, if the power detection result meets the expected requirements, then during time period A6, the digital circuit 140 performs CCA detection and judgment. In this example, the signal obtained from the CCA detection is not pulled up ('0'), indicating that the channel is currently idle. Therefore, during time period A7, the components or modules of analog circuit 135 and digital circuit 140 will re-enter standby mode. Similarly, after time period A7 ends, during time period A8, the components or modules of analog circuit 135 and digital circuit 140 switch back from standby mode to normal signal receiving mode. During time period A9, the digital circuit 140, such as the baseband signal circuit unit 150, performs power detection and judgment. In this case, if the power detection result does not meet the expected requirements, then during time period A10, the digital circuit 140 will not be controlled to perform CCA detection and judgment. Instead, the components or modules of analog circuit 135 and digital circuit 140 will be put back into standby mode to save power. Similarly, after time period A10 ends, during time period A11, the components or modules of analog circuit 135 and digital circuit 140 switch from standby mode back to normal signal receiving mode. During time period A12, the digital circuit 140, such as baseband signal circuit unit 150, performs power detection and judgment. In this case, if the power detection result meets the expected requirements, then during time period A13, the digital circuit 140 performs CCA detection and judgment, and determines that the signal obtained by CCA detection is pulled up ('1'), indicating that the channel is not currently idle (i.e., the expected beacon has arrived). Therefore, during time period A13, the communication device 100 enters normal signal receiving mode to receive the beacon content. In this case, all modules of the digital circuit 140 enter normal signal receiving mode.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 yes Figure 1The diagram shows the operation timing of the communication device 100 in the third application scenario. In the third application scenario, the communication device 100 can foresee that the current channel is a passive channel, and the base station of the wireless network will send a beacon signal to the communication device 100 on its own. However, it cannot predict the actual time when the beacon signal will be sent, but can only foresee that the base station will send the beacon signal at a certain time during a specific beacon transmission period.

[0035] Similarly, such as Figure 4 As shown, during time period B0, the components or modules of the analog circuit 135 and digital circuit 140 of the communication device 100 are, for example, in a low-power standby mode. At this time, although these components or modules are powered, they do not perform signal processing. Then, after time period B0 ends, during time period B1, the control circuit 145 controls the analog circuit (i.e., the RF signal circuit unit) 135 to wake up to perform RF settings and causes the analog circuit 135 to operate in a normal RF signal transmission and reception state, and controls a specific part of the components or modules of the digital circuit 140 to wake up and operate in a normal state. Then, during time period B2, the control circuit 145 controls the digital circuit 140, such as the baseband signal circuit unit 150, to perform power detection. When the power detection result meets the expected requirements (e.g., the RSSI value is greater than a specific threshold), the control circuit 145 will then control the digital circuit 140 to perform CCA detection; otherwise, the control circuit 145 will determine and control the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 to return to LPS mode to save power. In this application scenario, at the end of time period B2, the control circuit 145 determines that the power detection result meets the expected requirements. Therefore, during time period B3, the digital circuit 140, such as the baseband signal circuit unit 150, will then perform CCA detection and judgment. In this example, the signal obtained from the CCA detection is not pulled up ('0'), indicating that the channel is currently idle. Therefore, during time period B4, the components or modules of the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 will re-enter standby mode.

[0036] Similarly, after time period B4 ends, during time period B5, the components or modules of analog circuit 135 and digital circuit 140 switch back from standby mode to normal signal receiving mode. During time period B6, the digital circuit 140, such as the baseband signal circuit unit 150, performs power detection and judgment. In this case, if the power detection result does not meet the expected requirements, then during time period B7, the digital circuit 140 will not be controlled to perform CCA detection and judgment. Instead, the components or modules of analog circuit 135 and digital circuit 140 will re-enter standby mode to save power. Similarly, after time period B7 ends, during time period B8, the components or modules of analog circuit 135 and digital circuit 140 switch from standby mode back to normal signal receiving mode. During time period B9, digital circuit 140, such as baseband signal circuit unit 150, performs power detection and judgment. In this case, if the power detection result meets the expected requirements, then during time period B10, digital circuit 140 performs CCA detection and judgment, and determines that the signal obtained by CCA detection is pulled up ('1'), indicating that the channel is not currently idle (i.e., the expected beacon has arrived). Therefore, during time period B10, communication device 100 enters normal signal receiving mode to receive the beacon content. In this case, all modules of digital circuit 140 enter normal signal receiving mode.

[0037] Figure 5 This is according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The flowchart of the operation of the communication circuit 115 is shown. If a similar result can be achieved, it is not necessary to follow the flowchart exactly. Figure 5 The steps in the process shown are performed sequentially, and Figure 5 The steps shown do not necessarily have to be performed consecutively; other steps can be inserted into them. Detailed process steps are explained below:

[0038] Step 505: Begin;

[0039] Step 510: Communication circuit 115 enters early reception mode or a predetermined early reception period;

[0040] Step 515: Wake up at least a portion of the components of the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 to detect the signal power strength of the channel;

[0041] Step 520: Determine whether the signal power strength meets the expected requirements; if the signal power strength meets the expected requirements, proceed to step 525; otherwise, proceed to step 530.

[0042] Step 525: The at least a portion of the components controlling the digital circuit 140 then perform an idle channel assessment detection;

[0043] Step 530: Control the analog circuit 135 and the digital circuit 140 to enter and maintain the standby mode for a specific time to save power;

[0044] Step 535: Determine whether the idle channel assessment detection indicates a non-idle state; if the idle channel assessment detection indicates a non-idle state (i.e., does not indicate an idle state), proceed to step 540; otherwise, proceed to step 530.

[0045] Step 540: Determine that an initial synchronization signal of the beacon signal has arrived at the communication circuit, and wake up other components of the digital circuit 140 to enter a signal receiving mode;

[0046] Step 545; Begin receiving subsequent content signals of the beacon signal;

[0047] Step 550: End.

[0048] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims of the present invention shall be covered by the present invention.

[0049] [Symbol Explanation]

[0050] 100: Communication devices

[0051] 105: Antenna Unit

[0052] 110: Processor System

[0053] 115: Communication Circuit

[0054] 120: Printed Circuit Board

[0055] 125: Communication Interface

[0056] 130: Drive circuit

[0057] 135: Analog Circuits

[0058] 140: Digital Circuits

[0059] 145: Control Circuit

[0060] 150: Baseband signal circuit unit

[0061] 150A: Power Detection Module

[0062] 150B: Channel State Detection Module

[0063] 155: Media Access Control Circuit Unit

Claims

1. A communication circuit for communicating with a base station via a channel, comprising: An analog circuit, coupled to an antenna unit, is used to receive and process a beacon signal from the antenna unit through the channel to generate a baseband communication signal. A digital circuit, coupled to the analog circuit, is used to process the baseband communication signal; and A control circuit, coupled to the analog circuit and the digital circuit, is configured to, during an early reception mode or a predetermined early reception period corresponding to the beacon signal transmitted by the base station, wake up at least a portion of the components of the analog circuit and the digital circuit to detect a signal power intensity of the channel, and determine, based on the signal power intensity, whether to control the analog circuit and the digital circuit to enter a standby mode to save power. When the signal power intensity is greater than a specific threshold, the control circuit controls at least a portion of the components of the digital circuit to perform an idle channel assessment detection; when the signal power intensity is greater than the specific threshold and the idle channel assessment detection does not indicate an idle state, the control circuit determines that an initial synchronization signal of the beacon signal has arrived at the communication circuit and wakes up other components of the digital circuit to enter a signal receiving mode; and when the signal power intensity is greater than the specific threshold and the idle channel assessment detection indicates an idle state, the control circuit determines that the initial synchronization signal of the beacon signal has not yet arrived at the communication circuit and controls the analog circuit and the digital circuit to enter the standby mode.

2. The communication circuit according to claim 1, wherein when the signal power intensity is less than the specific threshold, the control circuit determines that the initial synchronization signal of the beacon signal has not yet arrived at the communication circuit through the channel, and controls the analog circuit and the digital circuit to enter the standby mode.

3. The communication circuit of claim 1, wherein a start time point of the predetermined early reception period follows a power-off mode, a standby mode, or a target wake-up time (TWT) mode.

4. The communication circuit according to claim 1, wherein the communication circuit conforms to a communication standard specification of a wireless local area network system, and the base station is a wireless network access point.

5. The communication circuit according to claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the components of the digital circuit includes a power detection module and a channel state detection module in a baseband signal circuit unit for detecting the strength of a wireless signal reception.

6. A method for communicating with a base station via a channel using a communication circuit, comprising: An analog circuit is provided for receiving and processing a beacon signal from an antenna unit through the channel to generate a baseband communication signal. Provide a digital circuit for processing the baseband communication signal; During an early reception mode or a predetermined early reception period corresponding to the beacon signal transmitted by the base station, at least a portion of the components of the analog circuit and the digital circuit are activated to detect a signal power strength of the channel; and The signal power intensity is used to determine whether to control the analog and digital circuits to enter a standby mode to save power. The method further includes: When the signal power intensity is greater than a certain threshold, at least a portion of the components controlling the digital circuit perform an idle channel assessment detection. When the signal power strength exceeds a specific threshold and the idle channel assessment does not indicate an idle state, it is determined that an initial synchronization signal of the beacon signal has arrived at the communication circuit, and other components of the digital circuit are awakened to enter a signal receiving mode; and When the signal power strength is greater than the specific threshold and the idle channel assessment detects the idle state, it is determined that the initial synchronization signal of the beacon signal has not yet arrived at the communication circuit, and the analog circuit and the digital circuit are controlled to enter the standby mode.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: When the signal power intensity is less than the specific threshold, it is determined that the initial synchronization signal of the beacon signal has not yet arrived at the communication circuit through the channel, and the analog circuit and the digital circuit are controlled to enter the standby mode.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein a start time point of the predetermined early reception period follows a power-off mode, a standby mode, or a target wake-up time mode.

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