Amplifier Selection for Wireless Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile stations in wireless communication systems experience high power consumption due to the use of power amplifiers that amplify signals to excessive levels for communication with both macro and small base stations, leading to unnecessary energy expenditure.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that selectively use a driving amplifier and an external power amplifier based on transmission power levels, where the driving amplifier amplifies signals for short-distance communications with small base stations, and the external power amplifier is used when necessary for longer-distance communications, thereby controlling power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a power amplifier with high maximum power level is used to support communication with macro base stations, then communication coverage is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the amplification function into two separate amplifiers: a first amplifier (driving amplifier) with lower power level for small base station communication, and a second amplifier (power amplifier) with higher power level for macro base station communication. This segmentation allows the mobile station to use only the necessary amplification capacity for each communication scenario, avoiding the excessive power consumption that would result from always using the high-power amplifier.
2Device complexity
If a single power amplifier is used for both macro and small base station communications, then device complexity is reduced, but power consumption optimization becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic amplifier selection where the controller chooses between the first and second amplifiers based on the current communication scenario (small base station or macro base station). This dynamic switching capability allows the system to optimize power consumption in real-time without significantly increasing device complexity, as the selection logic is managed through existing control mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and a method for reducing power consumption in a wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus includes an antenna, a Radio Frequency (RF) module, a first amplifier, an external power amplifier, and a controller. The RF module converts a baseband transmission signal to an RF signal. The first amplifier amplifies power of the RF signal inside the RF module. The external power amplifier amplifies power of an output signal of the first amplifier. When a transmission power level of a transmission signal is equal to or less than a maximum output level of the first amplifier, the controller controls to transmit the transmission signal amplified by the first amplifier via the antenna. When the transmission power level of the transmission signal is equal to or greater than the maximum output level of the first amplifier, the controller controls to transmit a transmission signal amplified by the external power amplifier via the antenna.