Receiver Power Scaling Using RSSI and AGC Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receiver technologies face challenges in managing power consumption while maintaining signal quality, as aggressive filtering or digital signal processing to reduce noise and distortion often increase energy usage, particularly in battery-operated devices, and direct measurement of noise and distortion may require additional circuitry that negates potential power savings.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically adjust power consumption in receiver stages based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and automatic gain control (AGC) values, using a controller to determine signal conditions and adjust filtering characteristics and power usage, optimizing performance and battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aggressive filtering or digital signal processing is used to reduce noise and distortion, then signal quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by continuously monitoring RSSI and AGC values to adjust the power consumption of receiver stages in real-time. The controller dynamically scales the operating points of LNA, mixer, and other stages based on current signal conditions, transitioning between high-performance and power-saving modes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (power consumption levels) of receiver stages based on measured signal conditions. By adjusting bias currents, gain settings, and filtering aggressiveness according to RSSI and AGC measurements, the system optimizes the trade-off between signal quality and power consumption for different operating scenarios.
2Reliability
If direct measurement of noise and distortion is implemented to adjust filter levels, then signal quality is improved, but additional circuitry is required that increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses RSSI and AGC measurements as intermediary indicators to infer noise and distortion conditions without directly measuring them. These existing measurements serve as proxies that allow the controller to adjust filter levels and power consumption based on signal quality conditions without adding dedicated noise/distortion measurement circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing measurement circuits (RSSI generator and AGC circuit) to provide information about signal conditions. By reusing these existing components and their output data, the system avoids the need for additional dedicated measurement circuitry while still achieving adaptive signal quality optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of adjusting signal processing in a receiver based on signal strength includes determining a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) level, defining an RSSI value to be high when the RSSI level is above a first threshold or defining the RSSI value to be low when the RSSI level is below the first threshold, determining an automatic gain control (AGC) gain level, defining an AGC value to be high when the AGC gain level is above a second threshold or defining the AGC value to be low when the AGC gain level is below the second threshold, and adjusting power consumption of one or more receiver stages based on the RSSI value and the AGC value.