UWB Receiver Power Management via Segmented Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High power consumption in IR-UWB devices limits their battery life in portable applications, despite their precise distance measurement capabilities in indoor environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and device where one receive path of a multipath UWB device is powered down while the other is used for channel estimation, tracking, and demodulation, with ADC and correlator functions performing acquisition tasks, optimizing power usage and extending battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all receive paths and processing functions are kept powered up continuously, then signal acquisition and processing performance is maintained, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver device divides its processing functions into distinct segments (acquisition function and channel estimation/tracking/demodulation functions) that can be independently powered on or off. During signal acquisition, only the acquisition function is powered up while other functions remain powered down, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining necessary performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically adjusts its power state by transitioning between different operational modes: a first mode where all functions are powered up for optimal performance, and a second mode where only the acquisition function is powered up for energy efficiency. The system switches between these modes based on operational requirements.
2Measurement precision
If multiple receive paths are used simultaneously for acquisition and processing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates acquisition functionality from channel estimation and tracking functions, allowing acquisition to be performed with a minimal set of powered components while maintaining the ability to achieve high precision when needed by activating additional paths for processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of a method and a device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for operating an ultra-wideband (UWB) device is disclosed. The method involves powering down a first receive path of a multipath UWB device while leaving a second receive path of the multipath UWB device powered up, powering down channel estimation, tracking, and demodulation functions of the second receive path, and performing an acquisition function using the second receive path while the first receive path is powered down and while the channel estimation, tracking, and demodulation functions of the second receive path are powered down.