Processor Arrangement for Multi-Mode Wireless Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dual mode wireless devices require separate hardware for cellular and non-cellular radios, leading to increased costs, power consumption, and space usage, as well as inefficiencies in power usage and dynamic range when operating with multiple networks simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A processor arrangement with a first processor for parallel control processing of physical layer 1 for both cellular and non-cellular communications and a second processor for parallel processing of data link layer 2 and above for both types of communications, allowing simultaneous operation with reduced hardware and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate hardware components are provided for cellular and non-cellular radios, then reliability and dedicated performance for each radio type are improved, but device complexity, cost, power consumption, and space usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing functions for both cellular and non-cellular radios into shared processor components. Specifically, a first processor handles physical layer processing for both radio types, while a second processor handles data link layer and above processing for both radio types, eliminating the need for completely separate processing hardware for each radio type.
Solution Approach 2:
The processors are designed with multi-functionality to handle different radio types. The first processor can perform physical layer processing for both cellular and non-cellular communications, and the second processor can perform higher layer processing for both radio types, making the hardware universal rather than dedicated to a single radio type.
2Productivity
If separate hardware components are provided for cellular and non-cellular radios, then dedicated processing performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines processing functions into shared processors to reduce the total number of active components. By merging physical layer processing for both radio types into one processor and higher layer processing into another shared processor, the system reduces overall power consumption compared to having completely separate dedicated processing hardware for each radio type.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor allocation is dynamic rather than static. The shared processors can be dynamically allocated to handle different radio types based on current operational needs, allowing the system to optimize power consumption by activating only the necessary processing functions at any given time rather than maintaining all dedicated processing hardware in constant readiness.
3Reliability
If separate hardware components are provided for cellular and non-cellular radios, then dedicated radio performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges processing functions into shared hardware components that can handle both cellular and non-cellular radio types. This consolidation reduces the total number of separate hardware components needed, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to provide dedicated processing performance when required through software configuration and dynamic resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The processors are designed as universal components capable of handling multiple radio types through software-defined functionality. This multi-functionality allows a single hardware platform to support both cellular and non-cellular communications, reducing the need for multiple specialized hardware variants and thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs.
4Productivity
If separate hardware components are provided for cellular and non-cellular radios, then dedicated processing capability is improved, but space usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines processing functions for both radio types into shared processor units, significantly reducing the physical space required compared to having completely separate processing hardware for each radio type. The shared first processor and second processor occupy less total space than would be required for dedicated processing components for each radio type.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi mode wireless device can communicate with cellular and non-cellular networks. The device has first and second processors in communication with each other. In one arrangement, the first processor provides control processing for physical layer 1 processing for both the cellular and the non-cellular radio communications in parallel, and the second processor provides processing for data link layer 2 for both the cellular and the non-cellular radio communications in parallel, and the device can communicate with the cellular and non-cellular networks simultaneously. In another arrangement, the first processor provides control processing for physical layer 1 processing for both the cellular and the non-cellular radio communications in parallel, and the second processor provides processing for data link layer 2 and all layers above layer 2 in the device for both the cellular and the non-cellular radio communications in parallel.