Adaptive ADC Configuration for Wireless Receiver Power Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analog to digital converters (ADCs) in wireless receiver circuits are not optimized for power or performance, as their area and power consumption are fixed based on resolution and speed requirements, making it difficult to reduce power consumption during idle operation while maintaining high performance during use.
Innovation Solution
A configurable ADC that adapts its speed and resolution based on operational modes, allowing for power optimization by configuring to low resolution and speed during idle periods and high resolution and speed during active data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ADC is designed with fixed high resolution and high speed requirements, then the ADC can perform at high performance during use, but the power consumption is high during idle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The ADC is designed with dynamic reconfiguration capability, allowing it to switch between different operational modes (high resolution/high speed, medium resolution/medium speed, low resolution/low speed) based on real-time data rate requirements. This dynamic adaptation enables the ADC to consume less power during idle periods while maintaining high performance when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The ADC architecture allows changing of critical parameters (resolution and speed) on-the-fly without requiring a complete redesign or replacement of the converter. By modifying these parameters according to operational needs, the system achieves optimal power-performance balance
2Reliability
If the ADC area is determined by fixed high resolution and speed requirements, then the ADC can meet performance demands, but the circuit area is larger than necessary for idle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The ADC is designed as a universal converter that can perform multiple functions across different operational modes. A single ADC circuit structure handles various data rate requirements by reconfiguring its parameters, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated ADCs for different performance levels
Solution Approach 2:
The ADC architecture incorporates dynamic reconfiguration mechanisms that allow the same physical circuit to adapt its functional characteristics (resolution and speed) based on operational demands, thereby reducing the effective area utilization during idle periods while maintaining full performance capability when needed
3Measurement precision
If the ADC is designed for high resolution and high speed, then conversion accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ADC allows dynamic adjustment of the resolution parameter based on the data rate of the incoming signal. When data rates are low, the ADC operates at lower resolution (reducing power consumption), and when data rates are high, it switches to higher resolution (improving measurement precision)
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit is disclosed that comprises a controller and an analog to digital converter (ADC) coupled to controller. The speed and/or the resolution of the ADC is configurable to provide optimum performance during the operation of the ADC. In an embodiment a wireless receiver with an adaptively configurable ADC for is provided. The speed and resolution the ADC is configurable depending on the operational mode of the receiver. Accordingly, through the use of an adaptively configurable ADC, power consumption and speed is optimized for each operational mode.