Configurable Multi-Modulus Divider for Low-Power Mobile Oscillators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Local oscillators in multi-mode mobile communication devices consume excessive power due to high frequency operation of frequency dividers, which is not efficiently addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A novel configurable multi-modulus divider (CMMD) is introduced, which dynamically adjusts its configuration between a higher-power, lower-noise mode and a lower-power, higher-noise mode by enabling or disabling prescaler and modulus divider stages, allowing power consumption to be minimized while meeting noise requirements of different communication standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the frequency divider operates in high frequency mode to satisfy noise requirements of communication standards, then noise performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency divider is configured to dynamically switch between different operating modes (first mode with all stages active for low noise, second mode with reduced stages for low power) based on the communication standard being used. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize the balance between noise performance and power consumption for different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the frequency divider by selectively enabling or disabling prescaler and modulus divider stages. By modifying which stages are active, the system can achieve different noise and power characteristics to match the requirements of various communication standards.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If all prescaler and modulus divider stages are enabled to reduce noise, then noise performance is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency divider is segmented into multiple independent stages (prescaler stages and modulus divider stages) that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows the system to enable only the necessary stages for each communication standard, reducing the effective complexity and power consumption while maintaining noise performance where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency divider is designed with universal functionality to support multiple communication standards (GSM, CDMA1X, WCDMA) through selective configuration of its stages. The same physical circuit can operate in different modes, with different combinations of stages active, making it adaptable to various noise and power requirements without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each standard.
Data Source
AI summary
Within a mobile communication device (for example, a cellular telephone), there is a local oscillator. The local oscillator includes a novel frequency divider that includes a novel configurable multi-modulus divider (CMMD). The frequency divider is configurable into a selectable one of multiple configurations involving different mixes of synchronous and asynchronous circuitry. In each configuration, the frequency divider produces an amount of noise and consumes an amount of power. Power consumption is loosely inversely related to noise produced in that the modes with the highest power consumption produce the least amount of noise, and vice versa. The mobile communication device is operable in one of multiple different communication standards (for example, GSM, CDMA1X and WCDMA). The different communication standards impose different noise requirements on the frequency divider. By using the lowest power configuration that satisfies the noise requirements of the standard being used, power consumption of the cellular telephone is reduced.