Low Power Sensing Circuitry for Wireless Access Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices consume unnecessary power by activating primary circuitry to detect wireless access technologies that are not available, leading to energy inefficiency and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
A low power sensing circuitry is implemented in mobile devices to detect wireless access technologies without using the primary transceiver, allowing for periodic and energy-efficient searching of RF signals, which activates the primary transceiver only upon successful detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If primary circuitry is activated to detect wireless access technologies, then detection capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into two distinct circuitry portions: first circuitry (low-power) for initial sensing of wireless access technologies, and second circuitry (primary/high-power) for full communication operations. This segmentation allows the device to perform detection with minimal energy expenditure while maintaining reliable detection capability through coordinated operation of both segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The first circuitry acts as an intermediary between the low-power state and the full primary circuitry operation. It detects wireless access technologies and triggers selective activation of the second circuitry, serving as a mediator that prevents direct, energy-intensive activation of the primary transceiver for every detection cycle.
2Measurement precision
If primary circuitry is continuously activated for sensing, then detection accuracy is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic sensing cycles where the first circuitry is activated at intervals to detect wireless access technologies. This periodic operation maintains detection accuracy by regularly scanning for available networks while consuming significantly less energy than continuous operation, thereby extending battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The first circuitry performs partial detection functionality - sufficient to identify the presence of wireless access technologies but not requiring full activation of the primary transceiver. This partial action provides adequate detection capability for determining network availability while avoiding the excessive energy consumption of complete circuitry activation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If low power sensing circuitry is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but detection capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the capabilities of the first low-power sensing circuitry with the second primary circuitry. The first circuitry detects wireless access technologies and, upon successful detection, triggers the second circuitry to activate for full communication operations. This merging ensures that detection capability is maintained across both circuitry portions, with the low-power portion handling initial detection and the primary portion handling full-featured communication.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and methods for low power sensing of wireless access technologies are disclosed. In particular, a mobile wireless device, such as an access terminal, may utilize a lower power circuitry portion that operates at a lower power than active circuitry, such as a primary transceiver. The lower power circuitry portion includes a configurable searcher that is capable of sensing if signals of one or more various wireless access technologies are present. When the wireless device utilizes sleep or idle modes for power savings, use of the lower power sensing circuitry to sense the presence of wireless access technologies, rather than using an awoken higher power primary transceiver for sensing, affords increased power savings. An added ability of the lower power circuitry to be put into sleep or idles modes achieves even greater power savings.