Bi-modal RF Receiver Architecture for Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless networking devices consume excessive power due to factors like biasing, phase noise, and the analog-to-digital conversion process, particularly in IEEE 802.11 compliant networks, where existing solutions maintain constant power consumption to manage noise and interference.
Innovation Solution
A bi-modal RF receiver architecture with power control logic that adjusts the operation of components like low noise amplifiers, phase locked loops, multi-stage baseband filters, and analog-to-digital converters based on signal characteristics, switching between low and high power modes to optimize power usage according to channel conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If constant power consumption is maintained to manage noise and interference, then signal quality is preserved, but power consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static constant power mode to a dynamic bi-modal power consumption architecture. The receiver alternates between high power mode (for low noise and strong signal processing) and low power mode (for normal operation), with mode selection based on channel conditions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making power consumption variable rather than constant, reducing overall power usage while maintaining signal quality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power consumption parameter from a fixed value to a variable parameter with two distinct modes. The high power mode provides low noise performance for challenging channel conditions, while the low power mode reduces energy consumption for normal conditions. The power control logic dynamically adjusts the power parameter based on signal characteristics, resolving the contradiction between maintaining signal quality and reducing power consumption.
2Reliability
If high biasing is used in the low noise amplifier to reduce noise, then signal processing quality improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The low noise amplifier operates in a dynamic manner, switching between high biasing (high power mode) and low biasing (low power mode). The power control logic determines when high noise reduction is necessary based on channel conditions, applying high biasing only when needed rather than continuously. This resolves the contradiction by making the biasing parameter dynamic rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing parameter of the low noise amplifier is changed from a constant high value to a variable parameter that switches between high and low values. In high power mode, high biasing provides low noise performance; in low power mode, reduced biasing lowers power consumption. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between noise reduction and power consumption.
3Reliability
If multiple filter stages are enabled to reject adjacent channel interference, then signal purity improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-stage baseband filter operates dynamically, with the power control logic enabling or disabling filter stages based on channel conditions. When adjacent channel interference is detected, the filter stages are activated to provide interference rejection. When interference is absent or minimal, the filter stages are disabled or bypassed to reduce power consumption. This dynamic operation resolves the contradiction between interference rejection and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter operation parameter is changed from a constant enabled state to a variable state that switches between enabled and disabled. The power control logic adjusts the filter parameter based on the presence and strength of adjacent channel signals, enabling full filtering when interference rejection is needed and disabling or bypassing filters when power conservation is prioritized. This parameter change resolves the contradiction.
4Productivity
If high data transmission rate is implemented, then network performance improves, but the number of digital bits required increases leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The analog-to-digital converter operates dynamically, adjusting the number of digital bits based on channel conditions and data transmission requirements. The power control logic monitors the channel environment and adjusts the converter's bit depth accordingly, using fewer bits when possible to reduce power consumption while maintaining adequate data transmission performance. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between data rate and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The number of digital bits parameter in the analog-to-digital converter is changed from a fixed value to a variable parameter. The power control logic adjusts this parameter based on channel conditions, using fewer bits when channel quality is good and power conservation is prioritized, and more bits when higher precision is needed for data integrity. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between productivity and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless receiver is provided that includes a component and a power control logic 80. The component is operable to receive a wireless signal and process the wireless signal in at least one of a first mode and a second mode. The first mode uses less power than the second mode. The power control logic 80 is operable based on a characteristic of the wireless signal to promote processing the wireless signal by the component in the at least one of the first and second modes. A method for a wireless receiver to process the wireless signal to reduce power consumption is also provided. The method includes determining a characteristic of the wireless signal, and selecting one of a first and second modes in which to process the signal based on the characteristic of the wireless signal.