Autonomous RX Detector Segments Receive Path for Power Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in power efficiency, particularly in detecting received radio frequency signals, as they often require maintaining the entire receive chain active, leading to significant power consumption during idle modes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a power-efficient autonomous receive (RX) detector within the radio module that can detect RF signals and wake up the core module only when necessary, reducing power consumption by powering down unnecessary circuitry and using low-power components such as 1-bit ADCs and sub-harmonic mixers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire receive chain is kept active to detect RF signals, then signal detectability is maintained, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The receive chain is segmented into two independent modules: a radio module containing a power-efficient autonomous RX detector, and a core module containing the full receive chain. The detector module can operate independently to detect RF signals and wake up the core module only when necessary, allowing the core module to be powered down during idle modes while maintaining signal detectability.
Solution Approach 2:
An autonomous RX detector acts as an intermediary between the powered-down core module and the RF signal source. This detector module continuously monitors for RF signals using low-power components (1-bit ADCs, sub-harmonic mixers) and triggers wake-up of the core module only when a signal is detected, thereby mediating between power savings and signal detectability requirements.
2Measurement precision
If high-power components are used in the core module for reliable signal detection, then detection accuracy improves, but power consumption during idle modes increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the receive chain have different operational states and component qualities: the radio module uses low-power components (1-bit ADCs, sub-harmonic mixers) for continuous monitoring, while the core module uses high-performance components (high-resolution ADCs, full receive chain) but remains powered down during idle modes. This local differentiation allows accurate detection when needed while minimizing idle power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the full high-power receive chain for continuous monitoring, the system uses a partial, low-power detection capability in the radio module that is sufficient for signal detection. The full receive chain in the core module is activated only partially (when needed) rather than continuously, reducing idle power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy when the chain is active.
3Loss of energy
If the receive chain is powered down to save power, then energy efficiency improves, but the ability to detect incoming signals is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The receive chain is divided into a permanently active radio module with autonomous detection capability and a power-downable core module. This segmentation allows the system to maintain signal detection capability through the radio module while powering down the core module, achieving both energy efficiency and continuous detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The radio module provides self-service signal detection capability that does not depend on the core module being active. The autonomous RX detector can independently detect RF signals and generate wake-up triggers, making the detection function self-sufficient and eliminating the need to keep the entire receive chain powered on.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for reduced power consumption by enabling RX detection solely in the radio module, thereby minimizing the need for high-power components in the core module, thus optimizing power usage during idle modes while maintaining signal detectability.
Implementation Method 1
mixing the amplified IF signal with different phases of a second local oscillating signal to generate a baseband signal
Implementation Method 2
converting a version of the baseband signal to a digital signal using a low-power component such as a 1-bit ADC
Data Source
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AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for autonomous receive (RX) detection. One example method for wireless communications generally includes powering down a portion of a receive path in a first module; detecting, in a second module comprising another portion of the receive path, that a radio frequency (RF) signal has been received by the second module while the portion of the receive path in the first module is powered down; and sending a control signal to power up the portion of the receive path in the first module, based on the detection.