Multiplexed Signal Processing for Bluetooth and WLAN Transceivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Bluetooth and WLAN receivers have separate fixed function devices that fail to dynamically adjust power consumption and performance according to different data rate requirements, leading to inefficiencies in power usage and signal processing capabilities, especially in IoT applications where low power consumption is crucial for Bluetooth and high throughput is needed for WLAN.
Innovation Solution
A multiplexed processing system that integrates Bluetooth and WLAN signal processing components, using a low noise amplifier, dual-function mixer, and phase lock loop clock generators, allowing for dynamic switching between low power and high performance modes based on data rate and constellation density, enabling efficient power management and performance adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If separate fixed function devices are used for Bluetooth and WLAN receivers, then each protocol can be processed independently with dedicated signal processing chains, but power consumption cannot be dynamically optimized and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a shared signal processing chain where a single receiver architecture can process both Bluetooth and WLAN protocols. The baseband processor and RF front end are designed to handle multiple protocols dynamically, allowing the system to use one receiver for both Bluetooth low energy and WLAN operations, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining protocol-specific performance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically configures the signal processing chain based on the active protocol and data rate requirements. The baseband processor can be reconfigured to match the specific modulation and processing requirements of either Bluetooth or WLAN, enabling adaptive power optimization where the receiver operates at the minimum necessary performance level for the current protocol being used
2Productivity
If high performance signal processing components are used for WLAN, then high data rates and throughput are achieved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The baseband processor dynamically adjusts its processing capability and power consumption based on the active WLAN data rate. For lower data rates like 11b or BPSK/QPSK/16-QAM, the processor operates in a lower power mode with reduced processing requirements. When higher data rates like 64-QAM, 256-QAM or 1024-QAM are needed, the processor transitions to high performance mode with increased power consumption, thus optimizing the trade-off between productivity and energy use
3Use of energy by moving object
If reduced capability components are used for Bluetooth, then power consumption is reduced, but signal processing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the shared signal processing chain based on the active protocol. For Bluetooth, the baseband processor is configured with parameters optimized for Bluetooth's lower data rates and less stringent processing requirements, allowing operation at reduced power consumption. When WLAN is detected, the parameters are adjusted to provide the higher precision and processing capability that WLAN requires, thus dynamically optimizing both power consumption and signal processing precision according to protocol needs
4Device complexity
If a shared signal processing system is implemented for Bluetooth and WLAN, then device complexity is reduced and power consumption is optimized, but adaptability to different protocol requirements becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The shared receiver incorporates dynamic reconfiguration capabilities that allow it to adapt its signal processing characteristics based on the active protocol. The baseband processor can switch between Bluetooth and WLAN processing modes, adjusting filtering, demodulation, and error correction parameters to match the specific requirements of each protocol, thereby maintaining protocol-specific optimization while using a single receiver architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs parameter reconfiguration to accommodate different protocol requirements. When transitioning between Bluetooth and WLAN modes, the baseband processor adjusts operational parameters such as sampling rates, filter bandwidths, and processing algorithms to match the active protocol's specifications, enabling a single receiver to provide protocol-optimized performance without requiring separate dedicated receivers for each protocol
Data Source
AI summary
A transmit/receive signal processor for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Bluetooth has selectable signal processing elements for mixers, Intermediate Frequency (IF) filters, transmit power amplifiers, and clock sources which are suitable for either Bluetooth or WLAN signal processing. The operating mode of the signal processor is selected to be one of Wireless High Performance, Wireless Low Power, Bluetooth High Performance or Bluetooth Low power, and the signal processing modules are selected to provide performance or power requirements using selected modules.