RF Receiver Front End Dynamic Performance Mode Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

RF receivers often operate at higher sensitivity and blocker tolerance settings than necessary, leading to overdesign and increased power consumption for most input signal levels, as they are configured to handle a wide range of signal powers without adapting to the probability of encountering specific signal levels.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where the RF receiver front end operates at a default moderate performance mode and dynamically switches to higher or lower performance modes based on the input signal power state, using a logic circuit to determine the power state and adjust sensitivity and blocker tolerance settings accordingly, thereby optimizing power consumption and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the RF receiver front end operates at high sensitivity and blocker tolerance settings to handle a wide range of signal powers, then the reliability and performance are improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity and blocker toleranceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver front end dynamically adjusts its performance mode based on the detected input signal power level. A logic circuit monitors the signal power and controls the receiver to switch between high-performance mode (for low signal levels requiring high sensitivity) and low-power mode (for high signal levels where maximum sensitivity is not needed). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching the performance level to the actual operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the receiver front end based on the input signal power state. When the signal power is above a threshold, the receiver operates in a reduced performance mode with lower sensitivity settings, thereby reducing power consumption. When the signal power falls below the threshold, the receiver switches to high-performance mode with maximum sensitivity settings. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining high reliability and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the RF receiver front end is configured for high performance to handle all signal levels, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle wide signal power rangeVSAvoidperformance mode control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a feedback mechanism where a logic circuit continuously monitors the input signal power level and uses this information to control the performance mode of the receiver front end. The logic circuit compares the detected signal power with a threshold value and automatically switches between performance modes accordingly. This feedback-based control achieves adaptability across a wide signal power range while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240063923A1Setting a performance mode of an RF receiver frontend

Publication Date: 2024.02.22 MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Examples relate to setting a performance mode of an RF receiver front end. An example method includes determining a power state of an input signal to an RF receiver front end; and setting a performance mode of the RF receiver front end to one of at least three distinct performance modes offered by the RF receiver front end at least partially responsive to the determined power state of the input signal.