Digitally Controlled Phased Array Antenna Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile CE wireless devices face power consumption challenges due to finite battery power, requiring efficient methods to reduce power usage while maintaining data transmission quality and range, especially when compared to fixed devices with unlimited AC power.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless transceiver with digitally controlled phased array antennas that can selectively turn off antennas or reduce data transmission based on power source, user selection, data rate, and signal quality to optimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple antennas are used to increase transmission range and data rate, then communication quality and range are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active antennas based on real-time conditions including battery power levels, AC power availability, data rate requirements, and signal quality metrics. The processor monitors these parameters and selectively activates or deactivates antennas to optimize the balance between communication quality and power consumption, allowing the system to adapt its antenna configuration rather than using a fixed number of antennas
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the number of active antennas based on power source type (battery vs. AC), required data rate, and signal quality feedback. When AC power is available or high data rate is needed, more antennas are activated. When battery power is the source and power conservation is needed, fewer antennas are activated while maintaining acceptable communication quality
2Productivity
If all antennas are activated to achieve maximum data rate, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases beyond battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by activating only the necessary number of antennas required to achieve the desired data rate and communication quality, rather than activating all antennas simultaneously. The processor determines the optimal subset of antennas to activate based on current power availability and performance requirements, using only the partial capacity needed rather than full capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna activation configuration is dynamically adjusted based on real-time monitoring of power source type, data rate requirements, and signal quality. The system transitions between different antenna activation states to balance productivity and power consumption, allowing flexible adaptation to changing operational conditions
3Device complexity
If fixed number of antennas are used to simplify device design, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different power sources and conditions is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is designed with multi-functionality to operate effectively with different power sources (battery and AC power) and under different operational conditions. The same antenna array can be selectively activated in different configurations to serve multiple purposes: maximizing range when AC power is available, conserving power when battery is the source, achieving high data rates when needed, and maintaining basic connectivity when power is limited. This universal design allows a single antenna system to adapt to various scenarios without requiring separate dedicated systems
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency (RF) transmitter has a plurality of digitally controlled phased array antennas coupled to and controlled by the processor to transmit data. The processor is to enable one or more antennas to be turned off during a use of the apparatus to reduce a power consumption of the apparatus.