Programmable WiFi Receiver Chain for Lower ADC Power Use

The patent implements a unified base-band receiver chain that serves multiple receive paths (e.g., multiple antennas or signal streams) using shared filters and ADCs. This multi-functional architecture allows the same hardware components to process signals from different paths sequentially or concurrently, eliminating the need for dedicated filters and ADCs in each path while maintaining signal processing capability.

The patent combines previously separate filter and ADC components for each receive path into a single shared receiver chain. By merging these components, the system reduces the total number of power-consuming elements while preserving the necessary signal processing functions through time-division or space-division multiplexing techniques.

The unified receiver chain is designed to handle multiple receive paths through configurable switching and time-division multiplexing. The same filter and ADC components can be dynamically allocated to different receive paths based on current processing needs, reducing the total component count while maintaining the ability to process multiple signals effectively.

The system employs dynamic resource allocation where the shared filter and ADC components can be reconfigured in real-time to serve different receive paths. This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt component usage based on traffic patterns and signal requirements, optimizing performance while minimizing the number of physical components needed.