Wireless Device Configurator Automating RF Front End Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and expertise required to configure integrated circuits (ICs) for wireless communication in IoT devices and other low-volume devices, as many devices are designed without understanding of wireless communication theory, leading to prohibitive expenses for designers and manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a configurator to automatically determine optimal configuration settings for wireless devices by iteratively executing subroutines based on user-defined parameters, selecting demodulators, and generating configuration files for storage in non-volatile memory, enabling unsophisticated users to configure devices for wireless communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If skilled engineers manually configure ICs for wireless communication, then configuration accuracy and reliability are improved, but labor cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The configurator enables unsophisticated users to automatically configure wireless devices for specific protocols without requiring expert knowledge. The system self-determines configuration parameters by executing subroutines that evaluate user-defined inputs and automatically select optimal settings, eliminating the need for manual expert intervention while maintaining configuration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The configurator performs preliminary configuration work by pre-defining multiple subroutines with embedded expertise and knowledge. These subroutines are prepared in advance to handle various wireless communication protocols, so when a user needs configuration, the system can immediately execute the appropriate pre-prepared routines without requiring real-time expert analysis.
2Reliability
If skilled engineers are required to configure wireless devices, then configuration quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configurator allows unsophisticated users to perform configuration tasks that previously required skilled engineers. By providing an automated system that executes subroutines based on user-defined parameters, the invention eliminates the need for expensive expert labor while maintaining configuration quality through algorithmic determination of optimal settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The configurator acts as an intermediary between unsophisticated users and complex wireless communication configuration requirements. It translates simple user-defined inputs into detailed configuration parameters through its subroutine execution mechanism, bridging the gap between user capability and technical complexity without requiring expensive expert intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple demodulators are provided in the wireless device, then adaptability to different modulation types is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configurator dynamically determines the optimal demodulator configuration based on user-defined parameters such as modulation type and modulation index. Rather than requiring all possible demodulators to be permanently configured, the system dynamically selects and configures the appropriate demodulator settings through subroutine execution, allowing adaptability without permanent complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The configurator changes configuration parameters to determine which demodulator settings are optimal for the specified communication protocol. By adjusting parameters such as modulation type and index, the system can reconfigure existing demodulator hardware to handle different modulation schemes without requiring additional physical demodulator components, thus maintaining adaptability while reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless device may include: a radio frequency (RF) front end circuit to receive and process an RF signal; a mixer to downconvert the RF signal to a second frequency signal; a digitizer to digitize the second frequency signal; a channel filter to channel filter the digitized signal; a selection circuit having a first input coupled to the channel filter and a plurality of outputs each to couple to one of a plurality of demodulators; and the plurality of demodulators coupled to the selection circuit. The selection circuit may route the channel filtered digitized signal to a first demodulator of the plurality of demodulators based on a first configuration setting. The wireless device may also include a non-volatile storage with a configuration file including the first configuration setting. The configuration file may be automatically generated by a hardware configurator in response to a plurality of user input parameters.