Power dissipation reduction in wireless transceivers

• US 10,524,202 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2017
• Issued: 12/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Theta IP, LLC
• Original Assignee: Theta IP, LLC
• Inventors: Tsividis, Yannis
• Primary Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B
• Application Number:
  US15/824,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20180084492A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 455 631, 455 6713, 4551271, 4551272, 4551275, 4552261, 4552262, 4552321, 4552341, 4552501, 4552511, 455295, 455296, 455311, 4553431, 455572, 455574, 370442, 330127, 330134, 330144
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/109 by improving strong signal performance of the receiver when strong unwanted signals are present at the receiver input
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0209 in terminal devices terminal devices per se H04W88/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods and circuits for reducing power dissipation in wireless transceivers and other electronic circuits and systems. Embodiments of the present invention use bias current reduction, impedance scaling, and gain changes either separately or in combination to reduce power dissipation. For example, bias currents are reduced in response to a need for reduced signal handling capability, impedances are scaled thus reducing required drive and other bias currents in response to a strong received signal, or gain is increased and impedances are scaled in response to a low received signal in the presence of no or weak interfering signals.

Claims

1. A method of reducing the power consumption of a receiver of a battery operated transceiver having a plurality of circuits, wherein the plurality of circuits comprise a receiver signal path comprising at least an amplifier, a mixer and a filter, wherein the plurality of circuits are designed to function between a worst-case operating condition and a best case operating condition, wherein the worst-case operating condition is when a desired signal strength is low and an interferer signal strength is high and the receiver operates with a maximum power dissipation and the best-case operating condition is when the desired signal strength is high and the interferer signal strength is low and the receiver operates with a minimum power dissipation, the method comprising:

receiving a signal comprising a desired signal and an interferer signal;

determining a strength of the desired signal;

determining a strength of the interferer signal;

comparing the strength of the desired signal to the strength of the interfere signal; and

dynamically adjusting at least one of an impedance, a bias or a gain of at least one of the amplifier, filter or mixer in the receiver signal path, responsive to the comparing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the strength of the interferer signal decreases over time, and the strength of the desired signal is low, dynamically decreasing the bias of at least one of the plurality of circuits in the receiver signal path.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein when the strength of the interferer signal is low, and the strength of the desired signal decreases over time, dynamically increasing a gain of at least one of a plurality of circuits in the receiver signal path and dynamically increasing the impedance of at least one of the plurality of circuits in the receiver signal path.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein when the strength of the interferer signal is low and the strength of the desired signal increases over time, dynamically increasing the impedance of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the receiver signal path.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein when the interferer signal is weak and the desired signal is low and the strength of the desired signal increases over time, dynamically decreasing the bias of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the receiver signal path.

6. A method for reducing power consumption in a receiver in a battery operated mobile device, wherein the receiver comprises a plurality of circuits, and wherein the plurality of circuits comprise a signal path including at least an amplifier, a mixer and a filter, the method comprising:

receiving a wireless signal comprising a desired signal and an interferer signal at the receiver;

determining a strength of the desired signal;

determining a strength of the interferer signal;

comparing the strength of the desired signal to the strength of the interferer signal; and

when the strength of the interferer signal is low and the relative strength of the desired signal is greater than the strength of the interferer signal, dynamically increasing an impedance of at least one of the amplifier, filter or mixer in the signal path of the receiver, thereby reducing power dissipation in the receiver.

7. A method for power dissipation control in a receiver of a wireless transceiver of a battery-powered portable wireless device, the receiver having a signal path comprising a plurality of circuits including at least an amplifier, a filter, and a mixer, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a wireless signal having a desired signal and an interferer signal, wherein the plurality of circuits are designed to function between a worst-case condition when a strength of the desired signal is low and a strength of the interferer signal is high, and a best-case condition when the strength of the desired signal is high and the strength of the interferer signal is low, the method comprising:

receiving the wireless signal having the desired signal and the interferer signal by the receiver;

determining the strength of the desired signal;

determining the strength of the interferer signal;

comparing the strength of the desired signal relative to the strength of the interferer signal; and

based on the comparison, when the plurality of circuits are functioning at better than the worst-case condition, dynamically adjusting one or more of an impedance, a bias or a gain of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the signal path, thereby controlling power dissipation.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein when the strength of the interferer signal is low and the relative strength of the desired signal with respect to the interferer signal increases, dynamically increasing the impedance of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the signal path to reduce the power dissipation and thereby save power.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein when the strength of the desired signal is low but the relative strength of the desired signal with respect to the interferer signal is better than the worst-case condition and the interferer signal reduces in strength, dynamically reducing the bias of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the signal path, thereby reducing power dissipation and saving power.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein reducing power dissipation reduces a power drain from a battery in the battery-powered portable wireless device.

11. A method for power dissipation reduction in a receiver of a wireless transceiver of a battery powered portable wireless device, the receiver having a signal path comprising a plurality of circuits including at least an amplifier, a filter, and a mixer, the plurality of circuits designed to function under at least a worst case condition when a strength of a received desired signal is low and a strength of a received interferer signal is high, the method comprising:

receiving a wireless signal having a desired signal and an interferer signal by the receiver;

determining a strength of the desired signal;

determining a strength of the interferer signal;

comparing the strength of the desired signal relative to the strength of the interferer signal;

based on the comparing, determining a functioning condition of the plurality of circuits; and

when the plurality of circuits are determined to function at a better than the worst case condition in which the strength of the interferer signal is low and the strength of the desired signal is low, causing a bias current of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the receiver signal path of the wireless transceiver to be dynamically decreased relative to the worst-case condition, thereby saving power.

12. A method for power dissipation reduction in a receiver of a wireless transceiver of a battery powered portable wireless device, the receiver configured to function under at least a worst case condition when a received desired signal strength is low and a received interferer signal strength is high, the receiver having a signal path comprising at least an amplifier, a filter, and a mixer, the method comprising:

receiving a wireless signal having a desired signal and an interferer signal by the receiver;

determining a strength of the desired signal;

determining a strength of the interferer signal;

comparing the strength of the desired signal relative to the strength of the interferer signal;

based on the comparing, determining a functioning condition of the plurality of circuits; and

when the plurality of circuits are determined to function at a better than the worst case condition in which the strength of the interferer signal is low and the strength of the desired signal is high, causing an impedance of one or more of amplifier, filter or the mixer in the receiver signal path of the wireless transceiver to be increased relative to the worst-case condition, thereby saving power.

13. A method for power dissipation control in a receiver of a wireless transceiver of a battery powered portable wireless device, the receiver having a signal path comprising a plurality of circuits including at least an amplifier, a filter, and a mixer, the method comprising:

receiving a wireless signal having a desired signal and an interferer signal by the receiver;

determining the strength of the desired signal;

determining the strength of the interferer signal;

comparing the strength of the desired signal relative to the strength of the interferer signal; and

when the interferer signal is high and the desired signal is low, causing a bias current of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the receiver signal path of the wireless transceiver to be dynamically increased, controlling the power dissipation of the receiver.

14. A method for power dissipation reduction in a receiver of a wireless transceiver of a battery powered portable wireless device based on its operating signal conditions, wherein the receiver has a signal path comprising a plurality of circuits including at least an amplifier, a filter, and a mixer, the plurality of circuits designed to function under operating signal conditions that vary based on relative signal strengths of an interferer signal and a desired signal, wherein the operating signal conditions vary between a worst-case operating condition and a best-case operating condition, wherein the worst-case operating condition occurs when a desired signal strength is low and an interferer signal is high and the receiver operates with a maximum power dissipation, wherein the best-case operating condition occurs when the desired signal is high and the interferer signal strength is low and the receiver operates with a minimum power dissipation, the method comprising:

receiving a wireless signal having a desired signal and an interferer signal by the receiver;

determining the strength of the desired signal;

determining the strength of the interferer signal;

comparing the strength of the desired signal relative to the strength of the interferer signal strength;

based on the comparing, when the plurality of circuits are determined to be functioning at better than the worst-case operating signal condition, dynamically adjusting at least one of an impedance, a bias current or a gain of one or more of the amplifier, filter or mixer in the signal path of the receiver, thereby reducing power consumption to save power.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein when the desired signal strength is low and the receiver is operating at better than the worst-case operating signal condition by having the interferer strength lower than that in the worst case operating signal condition, dynamically reducing the bias of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the signal path of the receiver, thereby reducing power dissipation and saving power;

and

wherein when the interferer signal strength is high and the receiver is operating at better than the worst-case operating signal condition by having the desired signal higher than that in the worst case operating signal condition, dynamically increasing the impedance of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the signal path of the receiver, thereby reducing power dissipation and saving power.

16. A method for power dissipation optimization in a receiver of a wireless transceiver of a battery powered portable wireless device, the receiver having a signal path comprising a plurality of circuits including at least an amplifier, a filter, and a mixer, wherein the plurality of circuits are designed to function between a worst-case operating condition and a best case operating condition, wherein the worst-case operating condition is when a desired signal strength is low and an interferer signal strength is high and the receiver operates with a maximum power dissipation and the best-case operating condition is when the desired signal strength is high and the interferer signal strength is low and the receiver operates with a minimum power dissipation, the method comprising:

receiving a wireless signal having a desired signal and an interferer signal by the receiver;

determining a strength of the desired signal;

determining a strength of the interferer signal;

comparing the strength of the desired signal relative to the strength of the interferer signal; and

based on the comparing, when the plurality of circuits are determined to be functioning at better than the worst-case operating condition, dynamically adjusting at least one of an impedance, a bias current or a gain of one or more of the amplifier, filter or mixer in the signal path of the receiver to optimize power dissipation and save power.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein when the desired signal strength is low and the operating signal condition of the receiver is better than the worst-case operating signal condition and the interferer signal strength is increasing, dynamically increasing a bias current of at least one of the plurality of circuits in the receiver signal path of the wireless transceiver, optimizing the power dissipation;

wherein when the desired signal strength is low and the operating signal condition of the receiver is better than the worst-case operating condition and the interferer signal strength reduces over time, dynamically decreasing a bias current of at least one of the plurality of circuits in the receiver signal path of the wireless transceiver, optimizing the power dissipation, and

wherein optimizing the power dissipation under better than the worst-case operating signal condition saves power with respect to the maximum power dissipation of the worst-case operating signal condition.

18. A method for controlling power dissipation in a receiver of a wireless transceiver of a battery powered portable wireless device, the receiver having a signal path comprising a plurality of circuits including at least an amplifier, a filter, and a mixer, wherein the plurality of circuits are designed to function between a worst-case operating condition and a best case operating condition, wherein the worst-case operating condition is when a desired signal strength is low and an interferer signal strength is high and the receiver operates with a maximum power dissipation and the best-case operating condition is when the desired signal strength is high and the interferer signal strength is low and the receiver operates with a minimum power dissipation, the method comprising:

receiving a wireless signal having a desired signal strength and an interferer signal by the receiver;

determining a strength of the desired signal;

determining a strength of the interferer signal;

comparing the strength of the desired signal relative to the strength of the interferer signal; and

wherein when the strength of the interferer signal is low and when the strength of the received desired signal is higher than the desired signal of the worst-case operating signal condition, dynamically adjusting an impedance of at least one of the plurality of circuits in the signal path to reduce power dissipation.

19. A method of power dissipation optimization in a receiver of a wireless transceiver of a wireless communication device based on its operating signal conditions, wherein the transceiver has a signal path comprising a plurality of circuits designed to function under operating signal conditions that vary based on relative signal strengths of an interferer signal and a desired signal in a received wireless signal, wherein operating conditions vary between a worst-case operating signal condition, wherein the receiver operates with a maximum power dissipation when a desired signal strength is low and an interferer signal strength is high and a best-case operating signal condition, wherein the receiver operates with minimum power dissipation when the desired signal strength is high and the interferer signal strength is low, the method comprising:

receiving the wireless signal having the desired signal and the interferer signal by the receiver;

determining the desired signal strength;

determining the interferer signal strength;

comparing the desired signal strength to the interferer signal strength to determine an operating signal condition of the receiver;

based on the comparing, when the receiver operating signal condition is better than the worst case operating signal condition, dynamically adjusting one or more of an impedance, a bias, or a gain of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the receiver signal path, thereby optimizing power consumption to save power.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein power saving occurs when the desired signal strength is low and the operating signal condition is better than the worst-case operating signal condition, by dynamically reducing the bias current of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the signal path of the receiver, thereby reducing power dissipation.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein power saving occurs when the operating signal condition improves when the strength of the interferer signal decreases over time, and the bias current is reduced by dynamically adjusting the bias current of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the signal path of the receiver.

22. A method of power dissipation optimization in a receiver of a wireless transceiver of a wireless communication device based on its operating signal conditions, wherein the transceiver has a signal path comprising a plurality of circuits designed to function under operating signal conditions that vary based on relative signal strengths of an interferer signal and a desired signal in a received wireless signal received, wherein the operating signal conditions vary between a worst-case operating signal condition and a best-case operating signal condition, wherein in the worst-case operating signal condition the receiver operates with a maximum power dissipation when a desired signal strength is low and an interferer signal strength is high, and wherein in the best-case operating signal condition the receiver operates with minimum power dissipation when the desired signal strength is high and the interferer signal strength is low, the method comprising:

receiving the wireless signal having the desired signal and the interferer signal by the receiver;

determining the desired signal strength;

determining the interferer signal strength;

comparing the desired signal strength to the interferer signal strength;

determining an operating signal condition of the receiver between the best and worst-case operating signal conditions based on the comparing;

when the interferer signal strength is high and the operating signal condition is better than the worst-case operating signal condition, dynamically increasing an impedance of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the signal path of the receiver, thereby reducing power dissipation.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein when the desired signal strength increases over time resulting in an improvement in the operating condition, dynamically adjusting the impedance of one or more of the plurality of circuits in the signal path of the receiver results in power saving.