Digitally Controlled Edge Interpolation for Low-Power Beamforming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Beamforming technologies in wireless devices, such as mobile phones, require additional analog/RF and digital components, leading to increased power consumption and cost, particularly for narrow modulations like Bluetooth, GSM, and 2G.
Innovation Solution
A delay device incorporating a phase selector, coarse delay line, and digitally controlled edge interpolator (DCEI) is used to implement time shifting or phase shifting, reducing the need for additional components and optimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beamforming transmitters use additional analog/RF components to achieve beamforming, then connection range and robustness are improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional analog/RF beamforming components with a digital delay device that uses time-domain signal processing. The delay device implements beamforming functionality through digital time-shifting and phase-shifting operations on baseband or intermediate frequency signals, eliminating the need for multiple analog RF chains and associated power-hungry components while maintaining connection robustness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating domain from analog RF frequency domain to digital time domain by introducing a delay device that processes signals in the time domain. This parameter change allows beamforming to be achieved through digital time-shifting operations rather than analog phase and amplitude modulation, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining the desired beamforming effect
2Adaptability or versatility
If beamforming transmitters double the amount of analog/RF components, then beamforming capability is achieved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex analog/RF beamforming hardware with a relatively simple digital delay device. The delay device can be implemented using digital signal processing techniques and requires minimal additional components compared to traditional analog beamforming architectures, thereby reducing device size and cost while maintaining beamforming capability
Solution Approach 2:
The delay device serves multiple functions: it provides time-shifting for beamforming, phase-shifting for signal alignment, and can be applied to various modulation types (narrow and wide). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated hardware for each function, reducing overall device complexity and component count
3Length of moving object
If traditional beamforming is implemented for narrow modulations, then connection range is improved, but battery life is shortened due to increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces power-intensive analog/RF beamforming components with an energy-efficient digital delay device. By performing beamforming operations in the digital domain using time-domain processing, the system achieves the same connection range extension with minimal additional power consumption, thereby preserving battery life
Data Source
AI summary
A device for wireless communications can include a phase selector, a coarse delay line, and a digitally controlled edge interpolator (DCEI). The phase selector receives an input signal and is coupled to the coarse delay line. The coarse delay line can provide one of a plurality of delay ranges. A DCEI, connected to the coarse delay line can provide a fine delay output signal.