Dynamic Radio Mode Control for WLAN Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radio chips in mobile devices are not optimized to minimize power consumption across various protocol conditions, leading to reduced battery life in communication devices like mobile phones with WLAN applications.
Innovation Solution
A programmable receiver with a detection block and control circuit that dynamically transitions between radio modes based on operating and protocol conditions, including packet detection, packet decoding, semi-sleep, and deep sleep modes, to reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radio is kept in active mode to ensure reliable communication reception, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic radio mode adjustment by transitioning between active reception mode and sleep mode based on detected protocol conditions. The receiver dynamically switches modes rather than staying statically in one mode, optimizing the balance between reliability and power consumption in real-time according to communication needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the radio by adjusting its mode (active vs. sleep) based on detected conditions. This parameter change allows the system to adapt power consumption levels while maintaining communication reliability when needed, directly resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the radio transitions frequently between modes to optimize power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radio operation into distinct protocol conditions (listen mode, active reception, scan mode, silent periods) and applies specific mode transitions for each segment. This segmentation simplifies the control logic by handling each condition independently rather than managing all possibilities in a complex unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection block automatically identifies protocol conditions and triggers appropriate mode transitions without requiring complex external control. The system serves itself by autonomously detecting its own operational state and making decisions about mode transitions, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the receiver operates in deep sleep mode to minimize power consumption, then power savings are improved, but detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transitions between sleep mode and active reception mode based on protocol requirements. During silent periods or between beacon receptions, the receiver operates in deep sleep mode for power savings, then periodically wakes up to listen for packets or receive beacons, ensuring detection capability is maintained when needed while maximizing power savings during inactive periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver performs preliminary detection of protocol conditions to determine when it is safe to transition to deep sleep mode. By detecting the absence of packets or identifying silent periods in advance, the system can confidently enter deep sleep mode without risking missed detections, thus achieving both power savings and maintained detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver in a packet based communication system includes a programmable block and a detection block that detects at least one of an operating condition of the receiver and a protocol condition of the communication system. Further, the receiver includes a control circuit coupled to the programmable block that controls the programmable block to transition to a set of radio modes according to at least one of the operating condition and the protocol condition.