Selective HARQ Memory Buffering for Power and Chip Size Tradeoffs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication devices face challenges in managing power consumption and chip size when processing Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) data, as internal memory usage increases chip size and cost, while external memory usage increases power consumption, and both options limit expandability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that selectively use both internal and external memory based on HARQ burst size and service type, employing a combiner and memory selector to store HARQ data in the most appropriate memory, reducing power consumption and chip size by optimizing memory usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If internal memory is used as HARQ buffer, then read and write operations are fast and power consumption is low, but chip size increases and price increases
Solution Approach 1:
The HARQ buffer is segmented into two parts: internal memory for storing small HARQ bursts and external memory for storing large HARQ bursts. This segmentation allows the system to use fast, low-power internal memory for small data while offloading large data to external memory, thus reducing chip size while maintaining low power consumption for typical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects between internal and external memory based on the size of the HARQ burst. A memory selector compares the burst size with a threshold and routes the data to the appropriate memory, enabling adaptive optimization of power consumption and chip size utilization.
2Use of energy by moving object
If internal memory is used as HARQ buffer, then power consumption is low, but expandability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the buffer into internal and external memory segments, the system maintains the low power consumption benefits of internal memory while gaining the expandability of external memory for larger HARQ bursts when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory system becomes multi-functional by supporting both internal and external memory configurations, allowing the system to adapt to different HARQ burst sizes and service types while maintaining energy efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external memory is used as HARQ buffer, then expandability improves and implementation is easier, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer is segmented so that external memory provides expandability for large HARQ bursts while internal memory handles small bursts with low power consumption, thus achieving both expandability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic memory selection mechanism enables the system to use external memory only when necessary for large bursts, minimizing power consumption while maintaining expandability when needed.
4Productivity
If HARQ memory size is increased using internal memory, then processing capability improves, but chip size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing capability is enhanced by utilizing external memory for large HARQ bursts without increasing chip size, as external memory resides outside the modem chip while internal memory handles smaller bursts within the chip.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for selectively using an internal memory and an external memory when processing Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) data are provided. The device includes a combiner configured to receive a first HARQ burst; an internal memory positioned within the device; and a memory selector configured to compare a size of the first HARQ burst with a predetermined threshold, to select one of the internal memory and an external memory positioned outside the device according to a comparison result, and to store the first HARQ burst in a selected memory. At least one among a size of the internal memory and the threshold is determined based on a characteristic of a first service type that has been predetermined.