LTE Modem Module Power Management via Interrupt Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in low power LTE modems, face challenges in reducing power consumption and optimizing resource usage, as existing architectures often keep all modules active even when not needed, leading to unnecessary power consumption and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
A low power LTE modem architecture is proposed, dividing the system into orthogonal control, uplink, and downlink modules, allowing each module to be powered independently, with a control module managing synchronization and communication between them using interrupts and blocking FIFO buffers for efficient data transfer and power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all modules are kept active to ensure immediate responsiveness, then system reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts module power states based on operational requirements. Modules can transition between active and low-power states, with the control module activating dormant modules only when needed, thus balancing reliability and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module uses interrupt mechanisms to preemptively activate modules before they are needed. Interrupts can wake up modules in advance of actual data processing requirements, ensuring immediate responsiveness while keeping modules dormant during idle periods.
2Loss of energy
If modules are separated into independent control, uplink, and downlink units, then power management efficiency is improved, but intermodule synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module serves as an intermediary between uplink and downlink modules, managing their activation and coordination. It receives interrupts, determines which modules need activation, and orchestrates their operation, thereby simplifying synchronization despite physical separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into independent control, uplink, and downlink modules that can be powered independently. This segmentation enables granular power management where only necessary modules remain active, improving power efficiency while the control module manages the complexity of coordination.
3Duration of action of moving object
If modules enter sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but communication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Interrupt mechanisms enable preliminary activation of modules before actual communication needs arise. The control module can wake up sleeping modules in advance of data processing requirements, reducing latency while maintaining power savings during extended idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic interrupt checking and modular activation patterns. Modules transition between sleep and active states in response to periodic interrupts, creating a rhythm of activity that balances battery conservation with responsive communication when data needs to be processed.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to synchronization and interprocessor communication techniques in an improved system architecture for a cellular modem. According to some embodiments, a wireless device may include a control module, a downlink module, and an uplink module. The control module may decode control information to determine whether uplink or downlink activities are scheduled. If any uplink or downlink activities are scheduled, the control module may activate one or both of the uplink module or the downlink module to perform the scheduled activities. If no downlink activities are scheduled, the downlink module may not be activated by the control module, and may remain asleep until a later time when downlink activities are scheduled. Likewise, if no uplink activities are scheduled, the uplink module may not be activated by the control module, and may remain asleep until a later time when uplink activities are scheduled.