Power dissipation reduction in wireless transceivers
DC
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of receiving a signal using an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a signal path including a low-noise amplifier configured to receive the signal, a mixer having an input coupled to an output of the low-noise amplifier, and a low-pass filter having an input coupled to an output of the mixer, the method comprising:
- determining a first signal strength at a first node in the signal path in the integrated circuit; and
reducing a switching current in the signal path by dynamically changing an impedance of a component in the signal path based on the first signal strength.
3 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
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.
47 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of receiving a signal using an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a signal path including a low-noise amplifier configured to receive the signal, a mixer having an input coupled to an output of the low-noise amplifier, and a low-pass filter having an input coupled to an output of the mixer, the method comprising:
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determining a first signal strength at a first node in the signal path in the integrated circuit; and reducing a switching current in the signal path by dynamically changing an impedance of a component in the signal path based on the first signal strength. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of receiving a signal comprising a preamble portion and a data portion using an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a signal path including a low-noise amplifier configured to receive the signal, a mixer having an input coupled to an output of the low-noise amplifier, and a low-pass filter having an input coupled to an output of the mixer, the method comprising:
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determining a first signal strength at a first node in the signal path in the integrated circuit; and while receiving the preamble portion of the signal, dynamically changing a bias current in the signal path based on the first signal strength, and while receiving the data portion of the signal, maintaining the bias current in the signal path. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of receiving a signal using an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a signal path including a first circuit and a second circuit having an input coupled to an output of the first circuit, the method comprising:
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determining a first signal strength at a first node in the signal path in the integrated circuit, wherein the first node is before the first circuit in the signal path; dynamically changing a gain of the first circuit based on the first signal strength; and dynamically changing an impedance of a component in the second circuit based on the first signal strength. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A wireless transceiver integrated circuit comprising:
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a receiver comprising a signal path, the signal path comprising; a low-noise amplifier; a mixer having an input coupled to an output of the low-noise amplifier; and a low-pass filter having an input coupled to an output of the mixer; and a first signal strength indicator circuit coupled to the signal path, and configured to determine a first signal strength; wherein an impedance in the signal path is configured to be dynamically adjusted to reduce a switching current in response to the first signal strength. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A wireless transceiver integrated circuit comprising:
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a receiver comprising a signal path, the signal path comprising; a low-noise amplifier; a mixer having an input coupled to an output of the low-noise amplifier; and a low-pass filter having an input coupled to an output of the mixer; and a first signal strength indicator circuit coupled to the signal path, and configured to determine a first signal strength, the first signal strength the strength of a signal comprising a preamble portion and a data portion; wherein a bias current in the signal path is configured to be dynamically adjusted during the preamble portion of the signal in response to the first signal strength and further configured to be maintained during the data portion of the signal. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A wireless transceiver integrated circuit comprising:
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a receiver comprising a signal path, the signal path comprising; a first circuit; and a second circuit having an input coupled to an output of the first circuit; and a first signal strength indicator circuit coupled to the signal path, and configured to determine a first signal strength; wherein a gain of the first circuit is configured to be dynamically adjusted in response to the first signal strength, and wherein an impedance in the second circuit is configured to be dynamically adjusted in response to the first signal strength. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification
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Litigation Data
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Current AssigneeTheta IP, LLC
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Original AssigneeTheta Microelectronics, Inc.
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InventorsTsividis, Yannis
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Primary Examiner(s)Vuong, Quochien B.
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Application NumberUS10/784,613Publication NumberTime in Patent Office743 DaysField of Search455/63.1, 455/67.13, 455/226.1, 455/226.2, 455/232.1, 455/234.1, 455/250.1, 455/251.1, 455/295, 455/296, 455/311, 455/333, 455/343.1, 455/127.1, 455/127.2, 455/127.5, 455/574, 455/572, 370/442, 330/127, 330/129, 330/134, 330/136, 330/144US Class Current455/574CPC Class CodesH04B 1/109 by improving strong signal ...H04W 52/0209 in terminal devices termina...Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication n...
