Power Amplifier Voltage Control for Wireless Link Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication devices face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining data transmission performance, as legacy systems lack efficient link adaptation and power amplifier voltage control, often requiring compromises in data rate and range.
Innovation Solution
Implementing average power tracking based on a quality indicator derived from reception characteristics, such as RSSI, SNR, and EVM, to adjust the power amplifier voltage and modulation coding scheme, optimizing energy efficiency in wireless local area networks without requiring hand-shaking protocols or advanced infrastructure support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If envelope tracking is employed to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex envelope tracking hardware with a simpler, lower-cost power amplifier that can be quickly replaced or upgraded. This approach uses more affordable components that consume less power without requiring the sophisticated voltage tracking circuitry of envelope tracking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the power amplifier, specifically optimizing the supply voltage and bias conditions to reduce power consumption. By adjusting these parameters rather than implementing complex voltage tracking, the system achieves better power efficiency with simpler hardware.
2Use of energy by moving object
If transmit power is limited to a fixed reduced level to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but data rate and communication range deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power adjustment where the transmit power is continuously adapted based on channel conditions, distance from the access point, and quality metrics. This allows the system to use higher power when needed for maintaining data rate and range, while consuming less power during favorable conditions, resolving the contradiction between power savings and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor communication quality, packet error rates, and channel conditions, then adjust transmit power accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that power is increased only when necessary to maintain acceptable data rates and range, optimizing the balance between power consumption and communication performance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If transmit power is limited to a fixed reduced level to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but communication range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic power adjustment that adapts transmit power based on the distance to the access point and channel conditions. When the device is farther away or channel conditions are poor, the system increases power to extend range. When closer or conditions are good, it reduces power consumption, dynamically balancing range and power usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from signal strength measurements, packet error rates, and channel quality indicators to continuously adjust transmit power. This ensures that the communication range is maintained at the minimum necessary level while minimizing power consumption, rather than using a fixed reduced power level that would unnecessarily limit range.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining a quality indicator designating a quality of packet reception at a wireless local area network transceiver. A Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) index value is selected based on the quality indicator. A supply voltage provided to a radio frequency power amplifier is determined based on the quality indicator.