Transceiver Minimum Supply Voltage Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transceivers determine minimum supply voltage based on worst-case assumptions, leading to higher power consumption due to process variation safety margins, which are not individually tailored to each hardware sample, resulting in suboptimal power efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop approach is implemented to determine the minimum supply voltage for each transceiver sample by adjusting the supply voltage until a test signal falls below a threshold, considering all statistical deviations from nominal design parameters, using a variable supply voltage generator controlled by a controller and storage element to store the minimum voltage for stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If worst-case assumptions are used to determine minimum supply voltage, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter determination approach from fixed worst-case assumptions to sample-specific measurements. Each transceiver sample has its minimum supply voltage determined individually through measurement, allowing the parameter to be optimized for actual performance rather than conservative estimates, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver system performs self-measurement and self-characterization to determine its own minimum supply voltage requirements. The system uses internal test signals and measurement circuits to automatically identify its specific operational thresholds, eliminating the need for external worst-case margin additions and enabling sample-specific optimization
2Reliability
If process variation safety margins are applied, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where test signals are transmitted through the receiver chain and the measured response is used to determine the actual minimum supply voltage. This closed-loop feedback allows the system to identify precise operational thresholds without requiring conservative safety margins, reducing energy loss while ensuring reliable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement and characterization actions during manufacturing or initialization to determine each sample's specific minimum supply voltage. This advance knowledge allows the transceiver to operate at optimized voltage levels from the start, avoiding the need for excessive safety margins and reducing power consumption throughout operation
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed minimum supply voltage is used for all samples, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but power efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement and characterization of each transceiver sample during manufacturing or initialization to determine its specific minimum supply voltage. This advance action captures sample-specific variations, allowing subsequent operation at optimized voltage levels without complicating the manufacturing process itself
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from a fixed supply voltage parameter applied uniformly to all samples to sample-specific voltage parameters determined through measurement. This parameter customization enables each device to operate at its optimal efficiency point while maintaining straightforward manufacturing procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A transceiver comprises a transmitter configured to generate a test signal and a receiver comprising a measurement circuit configured to receive the test signal from the transmitter and to determine a level of the test signal. A controller is configured to control a variable supply voltage generator to set a supply voltage for the transmitter to a predetermined value and to lower a supply voltage for the receiver until the level of the test signal within the receiver falls below a receiver threshold. A storage element is configured to store the supply voltage corresponding to the receiver threshold as the minimum supply voltage for the receiver.