UWB Transmitter PA Cell Switching for Low Idle Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultra wideband (UWB) transmitter systems face inefficiencies due to continuous power consumption even during idle states, as they rely on amplifier-based structures that draw power during 0 value transmissions or between +1 and -1 value pulses.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of digital-to-analog converter (DAC) based TX structures that use power amplifier cells with logic circuitry to selectively switch between on and off states, reducing power consumption by only activating cells when necessary, and employing a serializer to manage data streams effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If amplifier-based structures are used for UWB transmission, then continuous power consumption occurs during idle states and 0 value transmissions, but switching to DAC-based structures with selective PA cell activation increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter is divided into multiple independent power amplifier (PA) cells, each capable of being independently activated or deactivated. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary number of PA cells based on the transmission requirements, thereby reducing overall power consumption during idle states and 0 value transmissions while maintaining the ability to handle high data rates when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active PA cells based on the transmission state. During idle periods or 0 value transmissions, fewer PA cells are activated, reducing power consumption. During high data rate transmissions, more PA cells are activated to maintain performance. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between continuous power consumption and device complexity.
2Loss of energy
If DAC-based TX structures with selective PA cell activation are implemented, then power consumption is reduced during idle states, but the system must manage complex interactions among multiple PA cells and gating circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures the gating circuitry to control multiple PA cells, establishing the framework for selective activation before transmission begins. This preliminary setup allows for efficient power management during idle states while the gating logic is already in place to quickly activate the necessary number of PA cells when transmission is required, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
Gating circuitry is introduced as an intermediary component between the control logic and the multiple PA cells. This gating circuitry simplifies the management of complex interactions by providing a standardized interface for activating or deactivating PA cells based on transmission requirements, thereby reducing the overall system complexity while enabling effective power management.
3Productivity
If multiple PA cells are used to achieve high data rates like 4 gigabits per second, then transmission performance is improved, but the number of components and circuitry increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple PA cells are merged into a single transmitter architecture, sharing common control and gating circuitry. This merging approach allows the system to achieve high data rates like 4 gigabits per second by combining the output of multiple PA cells while avoiding the need for separate control circuits for each cell, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing the number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The PA cells and their associated gating circuitry are designed to be multi-functional, serving both high data rate transmission and low power consumption modes. Each PA cell can be independently controlled to contribute to the overall transmission rate when needed, or deactivated to reduce power consumption during idle states, making the system versatile and adaptable to different transmission requirements without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects described herein include devices and methods for smart ultra wideband transmissions. In one aspect, an apparatus includes pulse generation circuitry configured to output a plurality of transmission (TX) pulse samples at a selected signal sample rate, where each pulse sample of the plurality of TX pulse samples comprises a value associated with a pulse amplitude at a corresponding sample time The apparatus includes a plurality of power amplifier (PA) cells, with each PA cell of the plurality of PA cells comprising a corresponding current source and associated gates, and where the associated gates of a PA cell are selectable to configure an on state and an off state. Logic circuitry of the apparatus is configured to set the on state or the off state for each PA cell.