Wake-Up Receiver Front-End Module Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing wake-up signals to reduce power consumption while maintaining communication latency within acceptable limits.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a wake-up receiver apparatus within user equipment of mobile communication systems, which includes means for controlling the reception and transfer of wake-up signals in a low power mode, allowing for the activation of radio modules only when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the radio module operates continuously to ensure immediate communication response, then communication latency is reduced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication latencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The front-end module is segmented into multiple functional components (LNA, mixer, filters, switches) that can be independently controlled. This allows selective activation of only necessary components during wake-up signal reception, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining communication responsiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions between sleep mode and active mode periodically based on wake-up signal detection. The front-end module operates in a low-power state during idle periods and activates only when a wake-up signal is detected, achieving periodic operation that balances power savings with communication latency requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If all front-end module components are activated for wake-up signal reception, then signal reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reception reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different components of the front-end module are assigned different operational states based on their specific function and power consumption characteristics. The LNA operates at reduced power, while non-essential components are switched off, creating local quality variations that optimize the balance between reception reliability and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The operational parameters of the front-end module components are changed during wake-up signal reception. The LNA gain is adjusted, bandwidth filters are selectively applied, and component activation states are modified to achieve reliable signal detection with minimal power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the front-end module operates in normal mode for wake-up signal reception, then reception sensitivity is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception sensitivityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of activating the complete front-end module in normal operating mode, only essential components are partially activated for wake-up signal reception. The LNA is activated with reduced gain, and critical path components are enabled while non-critical components remain in sleep mode, achieving sufficient sensitivity for wake-up detection without full operational power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4498735A1Mobile communication system
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4498735A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4498735A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4498735A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method, apparatus and computer program is described comprising: controlling reception of a wake-up signal (WUS) by a first front-end module of a user equipment of a mobile communication system in a low power mode of operation; and controlling transfer of the received wake-up signal from the first front-end module to an output of the first front-end module in the low power mode of operation.