Sytem and method for standby mode in directional signal receiver

• US 20060178127A1
• Filed: 02/09/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kawasaki, Kenichi
• Granted Patent: US 7,596,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/343.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0245 according to signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A wireless receiver of a directional signal such as a 60 GHz signal can have a low power standby mode in which the linear oscillator (radio) portion of the receiver is deenergized. A DC detect circuit can detect the DC portion of an incoming signal, at which time the DC detect circuit energizes the remaining portions of the receiver.

Claims

1. A wireless receiver configured to receive a directional signal, the receiver having a standby mode in which at least an oscillator of the receiver is deenergized and a DC detect circuit detecting an incoming directional signal, the DC detect circuit causing at least the oscillator of the receiver to be energized.

2. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the receiver is a 60 GHz receiver.

3. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the DC detect circuit includes at least one rectifying element.

4. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the DC detect circuit includes at least one low pass filter.

5. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the DC detect circuit includes at least one comparator.

6. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the DC detect circuit includes at least one controller controlling at least one switch to selectively energize the oscillator.

7. The receiver of claim 6, wherein in the presence of an incoming directional signal producing a DC signal of sufficient magnitude, the controller causes the oscillator to be energized and the incoming directional signal to be sent thereto.

8. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the signal is in the 60 GHz band.

9. The receiver of claim 1, wherein the receiver is established by a transceiver.

10. A receiver, comprising:

an AC signal receiver;

means for deriving, from an incoming directional AC signal, a DC signal; and

means for causing the AC signal receiver to be energized when the DC signal satisfies a threshold.

11. The receiver of claim 10, wherein the means for deriving includes at least one rectifier.

12. The receiver of claim 11, wherein the means for deriving includes at least one comparator.

13. The receiver of claim 12, wherein the comparator and rectifier are established by software.

14. The receiver of claim 10, wherein the AC signal receiver is a 60 GHz receiver.

15. The receiver of claim 10, wherein the means for causing includes at least one controller controlling at least one switch to selectively energize the AC signal receiver.

16. The receiver of claim 15, wherein when the DC signal is of sufficient magnitude, the controller causes the AC signal receiver to be energized and the incoming directional AC signal to be sent thereto.

17. A method for conserving power in a receiver, comprising:

receiving a directional AC signal;

deriving a DC signal from the AC signal;

if the DC signal satisfies at least one criterion, energizing an AC signal receiver and sending the AC signal thereto, otherwise maintaining the AC signal receiver in a standby state wherein at least portions of the receiver are deenergized.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the receiver is wireless, and the AC signal receiver is powered by at least one battery.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the receiver is a 60 GHz receiver.