Cellular Modem Architecture With Independent Uplink Downlink Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular modem systems consume excessive power due to the inability to selectively power down uplink and downlink modules independently, leading to unnecessary resource usage and reduced battery life in devices like smart watches and tablets.
Innovation Solution
A low power cellular modem system architecture is introduced, dividing the system into three orthogonal domains: a control module, an uplink module, and a downlink module, each with separate hardware resources and the ability to be powered down independently, using a flat software structure to reduce overhead and inefficiencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If uplink and downlink modules share hardware resources, then device complexity is reduced, but power consumption increases due to inability to selectively power down modules
Solution Approach 1:
The modem is divided into separate uplink and downlink modules with dedicated hardware resources (separate baseband processors, RF chains, and memory). This segmentation enables independent power management where each module can be powered down when not in use, directly resolving the contradiction by allowing selective power reduction without requiring shared resources.
2Duration of action of moving object
If all modem modules remain powered on, then communication responsiveness is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control module pre-manages power states of uplink and downlink modules based on predicted communication needs. By anticipating when modules will be needed and preparing them in advance, the system can quickly transition from low-power state to active state, maintaining responsiveness while extending battery life through strategic power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system dynamically adjusts the operational state of uplink and downlink modules based on real-time communication requirements. The control module continuously monitors communication patterns and adapts power allocation, enabling the system to switch between power-saving and high-performance modes as needed, thus resolving the contradiction between battery life and responsiveness.
3Productivity
If hierarchical software architecture is used, then software functionality is improved, but overhead and inefficiency increase due to message passing between layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate hierarchical software layers that cause message passing overhead. By implementing a flat software architecture where the control module directly manages hardware resources without intermediary layers, the system removes the inefficiency of multi-layer communication while maintaining full software functionality, thus improving productivity without excessive complexity.
4Ease of operation
If separate hardware resources are allocated to uplink and downlink modules, then selective power down capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module serves multiple functions: it manages power states, coordinates communication operations, and controls both uplink and downlink modules. This multi-functional design consolidates control logic into a single module, reducing overall system complexity despite the presence of separate hardware resources, while maintaining ease of selective power management.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a cellular modem that has reduced power requirements. The cellular modem architecture is divided into three orthogonal domains or modules, these being a control module, an uplink module, and a downlink module. Each of the uplink module and the downlink module is configured to be separately powered down without affecting operation of the other modules.