RF Receiver Dual SFDs for Bluetooth 5.0 Connection Latency

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional RF receivers experience prolonged connection times and increased power consumption when scanning for advertising packets in Bluetooth 5.0, as they alternate between 1M uncoded and LE coded PHY modes, leading to inefficient hardware usage and extended setup times.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of dual synchronization field detectors (SFDs) that operate concurrently to detect uncoded and coded packets, allowing the RF receiver to quickly configure its demodulator to the appropriate PHY mode for immediate packet reception, reducing power consumption and setup time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the RF receiver alternates between 1M uncoded and LE coded PHY modes to scan for advertising packets, then it can detect packets in both modes, but connection time increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePHY mode detection capabilityVSAvoidconnection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver is divided into separate detection paths: one for uncoded packets and one for coded packets. Each path has its own synchronization field detector configured for a specific PHY mode, allowing parallel detection without mode switching and reducing connection time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver incorporates multiple synchronization field detectors that can handle different PHY modes simultaneously. The demodulator is designed to be reconfigurable, supporting both uncoded and coded packet processing within a single device, eliminating the need to alternate between modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the RF receiver alternates between 1M uncoded and LE coded PHY modes to scan for advertising packets, then it can detect packets in both modes, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePHY mode detection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver is divided into separate detection paths: one for uncoded packets and one for coded packets. Each path has its own synchronization field detector configured for a specific PHY mode, allowing parallel detection without mode switching and reducing connection time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver incorporates multiple synchronization field detectors that can handle different PHY modes simultaneously. The demodulator is designed to be reconfigurable, supporting both uncoded and coded packet processing within a single device, eliminating the need to alternate between modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the RF receiver uses a single SFD that switches between PHY modes, then device complexity is reduced, but detection speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetector configurationVSAvoidpacket detection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver is divided into separate detection paths: one for uncoded packets and one for coded packets. Each path has its own synchronization field detector configured for a specific PHY mode, allowing parallel detection without mode switching and reducing connection time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11750360B2Apparatus for radio-frequency receiver with multiple operational modes and associated methods

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 SILICON LABORATORIES INC

AI summary

An apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver to receive packets. The RF receiver includes first and second synchronization field detectors (SFDs). The first and second SFDs detect synchronization headers generated using first and second physical layer (PHY) modes, respectively.