mmWave Receive Mode Switching for Throughput-Power Tradeoffs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies due to power consumption issues and spectrum scarcity, which limits throughput and latency performance in modern applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing receiver mode management techniques that allow wireless communication devices to switch between different RF chains based on control messages, such as MU-RTS, to activate or deactivate mmWave components as needed, reducing power consumption while leveraging license-free RF bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mmWave components are continuously activated to leverage license-free RF bandwidth, then throughput and latency performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between receive modes (first receive mode and second receive mode) based on traffic conditions and control messages. The wireless communication device transitions from a power-saving receive mode to an mmWave receive mode only when needed, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption and performance characteristics dynamically rather than operating in a fixed state
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic control messages (MU-RTS) to trigger mode switching. The receiver RF chain is activated periodically based on these control messages rather than continuously, enabling the device to enter low-power states between activations while still maintaining the capability to quickly switch to high-performance mmWave operation when traffic is detected
2Loss of time
If mmWave components are continuously activated to reduce latency, then latency performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system receives control messages (MU-RTS) in advance that indicate upcoming data transmissions. This allows the device to prepare and switch to the appropriate receive mode before actual data arrival, reducing latency without requiring continuous activation of mmWave components. The preliminary control message triggers the mode switch just in time for data reception
3Use of energy by moving object
If the device switches between different RF chains based on control messages, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the receive functionality into separate segments: a first receive mode for control message reception and a second receive mode for data reception using mmWave RF chain. This segmentation allows independent management of each receive path, enabling power-saving operation by keeping the mmWave RF chain inactive most of the time while maintaining a simpler, always-on receive mode for control traffic
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides methods, components, devices and systems for multi-receive mode millimeter wave (mmWave) operation. In some examples, a method may include receiving, by the wireless communication device in a first receive mode, a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) in a first frequency spectrum. The method may further include identifying, by the wireless communication device and based on the MU-RTS, a receiver radio frequency (RF) chain associated with data reception in a second frequency spectrum. Further, the method may include switching, by the wireless communication device and based on the identifying, from the first receive mode to a second receive mode that uses the receiver RF chain; and receiving, by the wireless communication device, data via the receiver RF chain.