Dynamic Finger Assignment for Digital Signal Processing Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital communication systems face inefficiencies in power consumption and circuit complexity due to synchronous processing, static bit widths, and the need for multiple fingers to handle multi-path signals, especially in MIMO applications, leading to increased power usage and costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize dynamic path processing and buffering to optimize power consumption by allowing the processor to operate at the fastest clock rate needed, enabling 'virtual fingers' and dynamic bit-width adjustment, reducing idle power loss and circuit complexity through serial processing and efficient allocation of resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple static fingers are instantiated to handle multi-path signals, then the system can process more paths, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic finger assignment where fingers are activated and deactivated based on actual channel conditions rather than being statically instantiated. The system monitors path quality and dynamically adjusts the number of active fingers, enabling the processor to operate at the fastest clock rate needed for current conditions, thereby reducing idle power consumption while maintaining multi-path processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a single multi-functional demodulation element that can serve as multiple virtual fingers through dynamic configuration rather than requiring multiple dedicated hardware fingers. This universal processor can be dynamically assigned to different paths and timing hypotheses, providing the same functionality as multiple static fingers but with much lower power consumption when fewer paths are active.
2Use of energy by moving object
If fingers are assigned and de-assigned dynamically, then power consumption can be reduced, but the assignment process is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores timing hypothesis information and path measurements in buffers before they are needed for demodulation. By having this information prepared in advance, the system can quickly switch between different finger assignments without the lag of real-time calculation, thus maintaining fast response while enabling dynamic power management.
3Productivity
If a clock signal is used to synchronize all fingers, then parallel processing is enabled, but power is wasted on clocked fingers that are not actively demodulating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by enabling clock signals only during active demodulation periods for specific fingers rather than continuously for all fingers. The system activates clocking periodically based on actual processing needs, allowing parallel processing capability to be maintained when needed while eliminating continuous power waste from clocking inactive fingers.
4Reliability
If static bit widths are used for worst-case operation, then all timing hypotheses can be handled, but power consumption increases when full bit width is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bit-width adjustment that adapts the processing precision to the actual number of timing hypotheses being evaluated and the current channel conditions. Rather than maintaining static worst-case bit width, the system dynamically scales bit width based on actual needs, reducing power consumption when fewer hypotheses are active while maintaining reliability when full precision is required.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of searching digital communication signals in a system includes combining a plurality of channel measurements, providing output of the combining of channel measurements as an added input to the plurality of channel measurements, and acquiring a signal symbol based on results from the combining of channel measurements without addressing all timing hypothesis individually via a correlation operation.