Amplifier Gain Freezing During Data Frame Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

RF communications devices face data loss due to amplifier gain changes during data frame reception, which can corrupt the data, especially in dynamic environments with varying signal strength.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for controlling an amplifier in communications devices that involves checking for data reception and freezing the amplifier gain during detection, and switching between predefined gain values based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) thresholds to minimize gain changes during data frame reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If amplifier gain is changed during reception of a data frame, then the amplifier can adapt to varying signal strength, but the data frame becomes corrupted and data loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamplifier gain adaptabilityVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of data frame reception before changing amplifier gain. The detection circuit checks for incoming data frames and prevents gain changes during the reception period, allowing gain adaptation only when no data is being received, thus preserving data integrity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A detection circuit acts as an intermediary between the amplifier control mechanism and the data reception process. This intermediary monitors for incoming data frames and controls the timing of gain changes, ensuring that gain adjustments occur only during safe periods when no data is being received, thereby preventing corruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If amplifier gain is frozen during data reception, then data integrity is maintained, but the amplifier cannot adapt to varying signal strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidamplifier gain adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic checking for data reception at predetermined intervals during reception periods. This allows the amplifier gain to be frozen during active data reception to maintain integrity, while periodically verifying that no new data has arrived, enabling resumption of gain adaptation when appropriate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If gain switching is performed based on RSSI thresholds, then the amplifier can respond to signal strength changes, but frequent switching may occur during data reception

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegain response to signal strengthVSAvoiddata frame corruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection circuit performs preliminary checks before allowing gain switching based on RSSI thresholds. By detecting incoming data frames in advance, the system prevents threshold-based gain switching from occurring during reception, eliminating corruption while preserving the ability to respond to signal strength changes during safe periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3226426B1Method and system for controlling an amplifier of a communications device

Publication Date: 2019.12.04 NXP BV

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AI summary

Embodiments of a method and a system controlling an amplifier of a communications device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for controlling an amplifier of a communications device involves checking for a data reception at the communications device and freezing a gain of the amplifier if the data reception is detected.