Adaptive ADC Precision Switching for Low-Power Packet Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in reducing power consumption due to analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) operations while maintaining system performance, particularly in wireless networks where multiple signal propagation paths and varying modulation orders complicate efficient data recovery.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves using processing circuitry to detect packet transmissions, establish communication parameters, and selectively choose ADC precision based on the modulation order and channel estimates, switching between higher-resolution ADC for channel estimation and lower-resolution ADC for data recovery to minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-resolution ADC is used for all packet processing operations, then system performance and data recovery accuracy are maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic ADC resolution switching by adapting the ADC precision to the specific processing stage and channel conditions. The system dynamically selects between high-resolution and low-resolution ADC modes based on whether channel estimation or data recovery is being performed, and whether channel conditions require higher precision. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by using high resolution only when necessary for reliability while saving power during less critical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the ADC resolution parameter based on processing requirements and channel conditions. By modifying the ADC precision parameter dynamically - using high resolution for channel estimation when needed and low resolution for data recovery when channel conditions permit - the system achieves both power savings and maintained reliability. This parameter adaptation directly addresses the trade-off between accuracy and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If low-resolution ADC is used to reduce power consumption, then ADC power consumption decreases, but system performance and data recovery accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts ADC resolution based on the processing stage and channel conditions rather than using a fixed low resolution. During data recovery, the ADC operates in low-resolution mode to save power, but the system compensates by using channel estimates obtained during the channel estimation phase (which may have used high-resolution ADC) and by adapting to the measured channel conditions. This dynamic approach maintains reliability while reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs channel estimation using the ADC (at appropriate resolution) before data recovery operations. By obtaining accurate channel estimates in advance, the system can compensate for channel effects during data recovery even when using lower ADC resolution. This preliminary channel characterization enables reliable data recovery with reduced ADC precision, resolving the contradiction between power savings and performance maintenance.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution ADC is used for channel estimation, then channel estimation accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts the ADC resolution parameter specifically for channel estimation operations based on channel conditions and system requirements. When channel conditions are challenging or when high accuracy is needed for subsequent data recovery, the system uses high-resolution ADC for channel estimation. When conditions permit, it uses lower resolution. This selective parameter adjustment achieves the needed measurement precision while minimizing power consumption during this critical but time-limited operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An electronic device includes processing circuitry configured to detect a presence of a packet transmission via a channel, establish communication parameters and operational settings of an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) operation using a training field (TF) of the packet if the packet comprises the TF, and utilize a channel estimation (CE) portion of the packet to perform channel estimation of the channel. The processing circuitry is also configured to utilize the channel estimates to compensate for distortions introduced by the channel with respect to portions of the packet subsequent to the CE portion, obtain a modulation order and coding scheme used for the data portion of the packet, select an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to be used for a recovery of the data portion of the packet, and recover the information in the data portion of the packet using ADC output samples corresponding to the data portion of the packet.