Adaptive ADC Resolution for Interference-Aware Wireless Receivers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless transceivers, the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) consumes a significant amount of power, and existing solutions to handle interfering signals increase both cost and power consumption, while existing methods for reducing power consumption are not adaptive to varying operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
Adaptive adjustment of the effective number of bits (ENOB) of the ADC based on operating conditions, using an interference scanner to determine the presence and frequency of interfering signals, and downconverting RF signals to baseband to analyze run-lengths and adjust ADC power consumption accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ADC resolution is increased to handle interfering signals, then the linearity and interference rejection improve, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the ADC resolution based on the detected interference level. When strong interferers are present, the ADC resolution is increased to maintain reception quality. When interference is weak or absent, the resolution is reduced to save power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the ADC capability match the actual operating conditions rather than maintaining fixed high resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the ADC resolution parameter adaptively based on interference conditions. The system monitors the radio frequency spectrum for interferers and adjusts the ADC effective number of bits accordingly. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high interference rejection only when necessary, reducing power consumption during normal operation.
2Reliability
If the ADC resolution is increased to maintain reception quality in the presence of interferers, then the reception reliability improves, but the battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts ADC resolution based on detected interference levels, ensuring high reception quality only when interferers are present. During interference-free periods, the reduced ADC resolution significantly lowers power consumption, thereby extending battery life while maintaining adequate reception quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ADC resolution parameter is changed adaptively based on interference conditions. By monitoring the radio spectrum and adjusting the effective number of bits, the system maintains reception quality during interference events while conserving battery energy during normal operation, thus resolving the contradiction between reception reliability and battery life.
3Reliability
If conventional linearity enhancement methods are used to handle interferers, then the interference rejection improves, but the cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of interferers in the radio frequency spectrum before the interfering signals affect the reception chain. By identifying interferers early, the system can proactively adjust the ADC resolution to the appropriate level, avoiding the need for complex post-processing or high-linearity analog circuits. This preliminary action simplifies the overall radio design while maintaining interference rejection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex analog linearity enhancement mechanisms with a digital solution. Instead of using complex analog filtering or high-linearity amplifiers, the system uses digital spectrum analysis to detect interferers and adjusts the ADC resolution accordingly. This substitution of mechanical/analog approaches with digital processing reduces device complexity and power consumption while maintaining interference handling capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of a radio receiver can consume a relatively large amount of power. It is typically desirable to minimize power consumption, particularly with battery-powered devices, such as in wireless receivers. In certain conditions, the effective number of bits (ENOB) required from an ADC of a receiver can vary. The power consumption of certain ADC topologies, such as pipelined converter topologies, can vary with the number of bits. One embodiment dynamically varies the ENOB of an ADC to more optimally consume power. This can extend battery life.