Wireless Baseband Thermal Control Using Surface Temperature Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High signal processing capability in wireless communication devices leads to increased power consumption and heat generation, potentially causing device malfunction and user discomfort, necessitating effective thermal management solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize temperature sensors and a controller to estimate surface temperature and selectively perform thermal mitigation operations based on predefined temperature ranges, adjusting signal processing states to manage heat effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high signal processing capability is utilized for wireless communication, then throughput and data transmission speed are improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic thermal management by continuously monitoring internal temperatures from multiple sensors and adjusting signal processing operations in real-time based on thermal conditions. The system transitions between different operational states (normal operation, thermal mitigation, limited operation) depending on measured temperature levels, allowing optimal performance when cool and protective reduction when hot.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically based on temperature conditions. When thermal thresholds are exceeded, the controller modifies signal processing parameters such as reducing processing complexity, lowering transmission power, or adjusting modulation schemes to reduce heat generation while maintaining acceptable communication performance.
2Speed
If high signal processing capability is utilized for wireless communication, then data transmission speed is improved, but heat generation increases causing device malfunction and component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary thermal assessment by continuously monitoring internal temperatures before initiating high-speed data transmission. Multiple temperature sensors detect thermal conditions in advance, allowing the controller to prevent overheating scenarios by adjusting operations before critical temperature thresholds are reached, thus protecting components while enabling high-speed transmission when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where temperature sensors continuously monitor internal thermal conditions and feed this information back to the controller. The controller dynamically adjusts signal processing operations based on this feedback, reducing processing intensity when temperatures approach unsafe levels and restoring full capability when cooling occurs, thereby maintaining reliability across varying thermal conditions.
3Temperature
If thermal mitigation operations are performed to reduce heat, then temperature control is improved, but signal processing capability and throughput are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial thermal mitigation by selectively reducing signal processing capability only when and to the extent necessary to maintain temperature within safe ranges. Rather than continuously operating at reduced capacity, the system maintains full throughput capability during normal thermal conditions and applies mitigation only when temperature thresholds are exceeded, minimizing the impact on overall productivity.
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 approach enables practical thermal management by predicting surface temperatures and performing suitable thermal mitigation operations, reducing the risk of device malfunction and user discomfort while optimizing power consumption and heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of temperature sensors configured to sense a plurality of internal temperatures of the signal processing device, respectively
Implementation Method 2
estimate a surface temperature based on the plurality of internal temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A signal processing device, which processes a baseband signal for wireless communication, includes a plurality of temperature sensors arranged to sense internal temperatures of the signal processing device, respectively, a threshold storage storing a plurality of thresholds, and a controller that estimates a surface temperature based on the sensed internal temperatures and performs a thermal mitigation operation based on the surface temperature and a plurality of temperature ranges defined by the plurality of thresholds.