Low Power Programmable Modem Architecture for SDR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current reprogrammable modems for software defined radio applications consume high power, typically ranging from 14-19 watts, making them unsuitable for battery-powered and passively cooled environments, and lack efficiency compared to dedicated hardware.

Innovation Solution

A low power, programmable modem architecture utilizing a plurality of power-efficient communication processing modules and a switching interface, allowing reconfiguration to support different communication technologies, with some modules being programmable and implemented using power-optimized custom ASIC technologies, and incorporating a power-down feature to minimize power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If FPGAs are used to implement reprogrammable modems, then adaptability to different communication technologies is improved, but power consumption increases to 14-19 watts

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereprogrammabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The modem is divided into multiple independent communication processing modules (FIR filter, FFT, channel decoder, etc.) that can be selectively activated. Each module is a self-contained functional unit that processes specific aspects of signal communication, allowing the system to power down unused modules while maintaining adaptability through selective module activation based on the required communication standard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically configures and activates only the communication processing modules needed for the current communication standard. The modem transitions between different operational states by enabling or disabling specific modules based on real-time requirements, rather than keeping all modules continuously active as in traditional FPGA implementations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If dedicated hardware is used to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but reprogrammability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidreprogrammability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Each communication processing module is designed to perform multiple functions within its domain. For example, the FIR filter module can serve different filtering requirements across various communication standards, and the channel decoder module can handle multiple coding schemes. This multi-functionality allows dedicated hardware-like efficiency while maintaining software-defined radio reprogrammability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A switching interface acts as an intermediary that connects the selectively activated communication processing modules to the input/output interfaces. This switching fabric enables flexible routing of signals between modules based on the current communication standard requirements, providing reprogrammability without requiring a complete hardware redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If all communication processing modules are activated, then processing capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different communication processing modules have different power consumption characteristics and processing capabilities. The system activates only the specific modules with the local quality (processing power) needed for the current task. For example, simple modulation schemes may only require the modulator module while leaving heavier processing modules dormant, optimizing the balance between processing capability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If high performance modems are implemented, then communication performance is improved, but heat dissipation increases making passive cooling insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The modem employs periodic activation of communication processing modules rather than continuous operation. Modules are activated only when needed for specific communication tasks and deactivated during idle periods or when lower processing requirements exist. This periodic action pattern reduces average power consumption and heat generation while maintaining peak communication performance when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8009605B1Low power, programmable modem for software defined radio applications

Publication Date: 2011.08.30 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

A device reconfigurable to support communication using different communication technologies is provided. The device includes, but is not limited to, a plurality of communication processing modules and a switching interface. The switching interface couples to the plurality of communication processing modules. An instruction set is written into the device to select one or more communication processing module of the plurality of communication processing modules to connect using the switching interface. One or more of the communication processing modules may be programmable. The instruction set may include programmable parameters and/or programming instructions for the one or more programmable communication processing modules. As a result, the device is reprogrammable and reconfigurable to process different communication signals while utilizing less power than conventional designs.