Voltage Conversion Mode Control Based on Modulation Order

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voltage conversion modes in electronic devices face challenges in balancing communication efficiency and current consumption, with Pulse Frequency Modulation (PFM) modes offering high efficiency but limited high-load current supply and increased noise, while Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) modes support high load currents but have low conversion efficiency and high current consumption.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a power management module and communication processor that identifies the modulation order for wireless communication and configures the voltage conversion mode to either PFM or PWM based on the modulation order, load current, and other factors like ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) configuration, to optimize between efficiency and consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If PFM mode is used for voltage conversion, then voltage conversion efficiency is improved and current consumption is reduced, but noise increases and high load current supply is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage conversion efficiencyVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically switches between PFM and PWM modes based on communication requirements. When modulation order is low (QPSK, 16QAM), PFM mode is selected for efficiency. When modulation order is high (64QAM, 256QAM) or URLLC is configured, PWM mode is selected to reduce noise and support high load currents. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by selecting the appropriate mode for each operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-generated harmful factors

If PWM mode is used for voltage conversion, then load current supply capability is improved and noise is reduced, but voltage conversion efficiency decreases and current consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidvoltage conversion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects PWM mode when communication requirements demand low noise performance (high modulation orders like 256QAM or URLLC configurations). When communication can tolerate more noise (lower modulation orders), the system switches to PFM mode for efficiency. This dynamic selection resolves the contradiction between noise performance and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If PFM mode is configured, then current consumption is reduced, but communication performance deteriorates due to noise affecting transmission rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent consumptionVSAvoidtransmission rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic mode switching based on modulation order detection. When high-order modulation (64QAM, 256QAM) or URLLC is configured, PWM mode is selected to ensure low noise and high transmission reliability. When low-order modulation (QPSK, 16QAM) is used, PFM mode is selected to reduce current consumption. This resolves the contradiction by adapting current consumption to communication requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3806363B1Electronic device for controlling voltage conversion mode based on modulation order, and operation method thereof
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3806363B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3806363B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3806363B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus and a method for controlling a voltage conversion mode in an electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a power management module, a communication processor, and at least one processor operably connected to the communication processor, wherein the at least one processor identifies a modulation order used for communication with an external device, in a case that communication with the external device is performed using a wireless resource, and configures, based on the modulation order, a voltage conversion mode of the power management module that supplies power to the communication processor to a pulse frequency modulation (PFM) mode or a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode.