a2) United States Patent
`US 10,129,825 B2
`(10) Patent No.
`*Nov. 13, 2018
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Tsividis
`
`
`US010129825B2
`
`(54) POWER DISSIPATION REDUCTION IN
`WIRELESS TRANSCEIVERS
`
`(71) Applicant: Theta IP, LLC, Coppell, TX (US)
`:
`seas
`r
`(72)
`Inventor: Yannis Tsividis, New York, NY (US)
`(73) Assignee: Theta IP, LLC, Coppell, TX (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 15/080,432
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 24, 2016
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2016/0212701 Al
`Jul. 21, 2016
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`o.
`i,
`(63) Continuation of application No. 11/318.646, filed on
`Dec. 27, 2005, now Pat, No. 9,331,728, which is a
`(Continued)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`HO4B 1/38
`HO4M 1/00
`
`(2015.01)
`(2006.01)
`.
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. CL
`CPC sree HO4W 52/0209 (2013.01); HO4B Vs109
`(2013.01); Y02D 70/00 (2018.01): ¥O2D
`.
`70/.l42 (2018.01); ¥O2D 70/40 (2018.01)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ... H04B 1/04; HO4B 1/16; HO4B 1/40; HO4B
`1/109; HO4B 1/0457; HO4B 1/1607,
`(Continued)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`(Continued)
`
`DE
`EP
`
`
`
` OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`US6,529,069, 03/2003, Krishnapura et al. (withdrawn)
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Quochien B Vuong
`US)nome Agent, or Firm — Womble Bond Dickinson
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`.
`.
`——
`:
`Processes, methods and circuits for improving battery lite by
`reducing the battery power-drain ofbattery-powered devices
`using wireless transceiversis disclosed. Embodimentsofthe
`present invention provide for dynamically changing the bias
`current, impedance, and gain, either separately or in com-
`bination, during circuit operation to optimize or to reduce
`power dissipation. The dynamic variations may be imple-
`.
`.
`:
`mented by varying the valueof a resistance and/or a capaci-
`tance by opening switchesacross one or moreportionsofthe
`resistance. Also, the dynamic variations may includesetting
`any ofthe gain, bias current, or impedance parameters ofthe
`receivercircuit in between a high and lowlevel, followed by
`adjusting the parameter up or down in response to a desired
`signal and an interferer signal.
`
`8 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
`
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`US 10,129,825 B2
`Page 2
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`B2
`Bl
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`12/2003
`12/2003
`12/2003
`1/2004
`2/2004
`2/2004
`2/2004
`3/2004
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`4/2004
`5/2004
`8/2004
`10/2004
`10/2004
`11/2004
`11/2004
`11/2004
`3/2005
`
`8/2005
`9/2005
`11/2005
`11/2005
`1/2006
`3/2006
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`12/2006
`3/2007
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`11/2007
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`8/2010
`8/2010
`3/2002
`5/2002
`9/2002
`12/2002
`1/2003
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`
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`6,668,028
`6,670,901
`6,683,492
`6,687,491
`6,694,129
`6,697,611
`6,710,651
`6,714,557
`6,724,251
`6,735,424
`6,784,738
`6,801,760
`6,807,406
`6,819,938
`6,819,939
`6,826,418
`6,870,425
`
`6,933,779
`6,944,427
`6,963,755
`6,965,655
`6,993,297
`7,016,654
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`
`
`
`100279
`2003/0112059
`2003/0112060
`2003/0117212
`2003/0124999
`2003/0169089
`2004/0042572
`2004/0077324
`2004/0091035
`2004/0152429
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`continuation of application No. 10/784,613, filed on
`Feb. 23, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,010,330.
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 60/451,229, filed on Mar.
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`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(2009.01)
`HO4W 52/02
`(2006.01)
`HO4B 1/10
`Field of Classification Search
`
`(58)
`
`CPC .. H04B 17/309; HO4B 17/318; HO4B 17/336,
`HO04B 17/345; H04B 2001/045; H04B
`2001/0416; HO4W 52/52; H04W 52/0261;
`H04W 88/02; H03G 3/004; H03G 3/20
`USPC we 455/63.1, 67.13, 127.1, 127.2, 127.5,
`455/226.1, 226.2, 232.1, 234.1, 250.1,
`455/251.1, 295, 296, 343.1, 572, 574;
`370/442; 330/127, 134, 144
`See application file for complete search history.
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`IPR2024-0081 7
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`

`

`US 10,129,825 B2
`Page 3
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`
`* cited by examiner
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13, 2018
`
`Sheet 1 of 15
`
`US 10,129,825 B2
`
`FREQUENCY
`
`103
` AUTOMATIC a
`
`
`TUNING |
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov.13, 2018
`
`Sheet 2 of 15
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`US 10,129,825 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 13, 2018
`
`Sheet 3 of 15
`
`US 10,129,825 B2
`
`INTERFERERS
`
`
` DESIRED
` 304
`SIGNAL
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 13, 2018
`
`Sheet 4 of 15
`
`US 10,129,825 B2
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`466
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13, 2018
`
`Sheet 5 of 15
`
`US 10,129,825 B2
`
`FIG.5
`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 13, 2018
`
`Sheet 6 of 15
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`US 10,129,825 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 13, 2018
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`Sheet 7 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 13, 2018
`
`Sheet 8 of 15
`
`US 10,129,825 B2
`
`IMPEDANCE CONTROL
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`652
`
`FIG. 8D
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`Nov. 13, 2018
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`Sheet 9 of 15
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`US 10,129,825 B2
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`IMPEDANCE CONTROL
`990
`924
`
` VIN FUNCTION
`
`912
`
`BLOCK
`
`
`BIAS CONTROL
`
`GAIN CONTROL
`
`FIG. 9A
`
`DESIRED
`
`i
`-
`5
`Z
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`~”
`
`INTERFERERS
`
`x
`be
`INCREASE 9
`IMPEDANCE fj
`re
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`DESIRED Sax
`
`946
`
`INTERTERERS
`
`943
`
`984
`
`982
`
`933
`
`944
`
`942
`
`FIG. 9B
`
`FIG. 9C
`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 13, 2018
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`Sheet 10 of 15
`
`US 10,129,825 B2
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`IMPEDANCE CONTROL
`
` FUNCTION
`
`CONTROL
`
`BIAS CONTROL
`
`FIG. 10A
`
`DESIRED
`
`INTERFERERS
`
`|
`r
`Bi
`Z
`x
`E
`n
`
`_, i
`—
`INCREASE 5
`1038 IMPEDANCE 2
`N
`mw
`i
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`DESIRED INTERFERERS
`
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`
`1032
`
`FIG. 10B
`
`FIG. 10C
`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 13, 2018
`
`Sheet 11 of 15
`
`US 10,129,825 B2
`
`IMPEDANCE CONTROL
`
`FUNCTION
`
`
`
`
`GAIN CONTROL
`
`BIAS CONTROL
`
`FIG. 11A
`
`INTERFERERS
`
`INTERFERERS
`
`DESIRED
`1131
`
`DESIRED
`
`132
`
`FIG. 11B
`
`inteRMOD
`PRODUCTS
`
`FIG. 11C
`
`~ AND/OR —
`
`1170
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`
`IMPEDANCE
`
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`
`STRENGTH—~>
`
`1154\.FREQUENCY —>
`
`"82
`
`FIG. 11D
`
`
`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov.13, 2018
`
`Sheet 12 of 15
`
`US 10,129,825 B2
`
`
`
`TWNOISGSAIS94YOLASNOdS3y
`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov.13, 2018
`
`Sheet 13 of 15
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`US 10,129,825 B2
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`
`
`OWLcOElL
`
`
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`Jamodabelany
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`
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`Nov. 13, 2018
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`Sheet 14 of 15
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`US 10,129,825 B2
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`GAIN|&AGC
`
`GAINCONTROL
`
`CIRCUITS
`
`CIRCUIT
`
`oo|
`OF
`rs
`zO
`of
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`
`FIG.14
`
`COMPUTATIONAL
`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov.13, 2018
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`Sheet 15 of 15
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`US 10,129,825 B2
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`OSSI
`
`LNdinoSeYAaMOd
`
`TAAATTOYLNOD
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`ONISNASSLINOYID
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`US 10,129,825 B2
`
`1
`POWERDISSIPATION REDUCTION IN
`WIRELESS TRANSCEIVERS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica-
`tion Ser. No. 11/318,646, filed Dec. 27, 2005, which is a
`continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/784,613,
`filed Feb. 23, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S.
`provisional application No. 60/451,229, filed Mar. 1, 2003,
`which is incorporated by reference.
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
`application No. 60/451,230, filed Mar. 1, 2003, which is
`incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`
`
`SUMMARY
`
`2
`low and be increased in response to
`currents may start
`worse-than-best-case conditions, or they may start at a point
`in between and vary up or down. These variations may be
`made to electronic systems generally, and are particularly
`suited and discussed below in the context of a wireless
`transceiver that maybe used in networking devices, cellular
`telephones, and other wireless systems.
`An exemplary embodimentofthe present invention pro-
`vides a method of receiving a signal using an integrated
`circuit. The integrated circuit includes a signal path having
`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-passfilter having an input coupled to an
`output of the mixer. The methoditself includes determining
`a first signal strength at a first node in the signal path in the
`integrated circuit and dynamically changing an impedance
`of a component in the signal path based on thefirst signal
`strength.
`A further exemplary embodimentof the present invention
`provides a method ofreceiving a signal using an integrated
`circuit. The integrated circuit includes a signal path having
`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-passfilter having an input coupled to an
`output of the mixer. The methoditself includes determining
`a first signal strength at a first node in the signal path in the
`integrated circuit and dynamically changinga bias current in
`the signal path based onthe first signal strength.
`Another exemplary embodimentof the present invention
`provides a method ofreceiving a signal using an integrated
`circuit. The integrated circuit includes a signal path having
`a first circuit and a secondcircuit having an input coupledto
`an output of the first circuit. The method itself includes
`determininga first signal strength at a first node in the signal
`path in the integrated circuit. The first node is beforethefirst
`circuit
`in the signal path. The method further includes
`dynamically changing a gain ofthe first circuit based on the
`first signal strength and dynamically changing an impedance
`of a componentin the secondcircuit based on thefirst signal
`strength.
`Still a further exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention provides a wireless transceiver integrated circuit
`including a receiver having a signal path, the signal path
`including a low-noise amplifier, a mixer having an input
`coupled to an output of the low-noise amplifier, and a
`low-passfilter having an input coupled to an output of the
`mixer, as well as a first signal strength indicator circuit
`coupled to the signal path and configured to determinea first
`signal strength. An impedance in the signal path is config-
`ured to be dynamically adjusted in responseto thefirst signal
`strength.
`Yet a further exemplary embodimentofthe present inven-
`tion provides a wireless transceiver integrated circuit. This
`integrated circuit includes a receiver comprising a signal
`path, the signal path having a low-noise amplifier, a mixer
`Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention pro-
`having an input coupled to an output of the low-noise
`vide methodsandcircuits for reducing powerdissipation in
`amplifier, and a low-passfilter having an input coupled to an
`wireless transceivers and other electronic circuits and sys-
`output ofthe mixer, as well as a first signal strength indicator
`tems. Embodimentsof the present invention use bias current
`circuit coupled to the signal path, and configured to deter-
`reduction,
`impedance scaling, gain, and other dynamic
`60
`
`changes either separately or in combination to reduce power mineafirst signal strength. A bias current in the signal path
`dissipation in responseto better-than-worst case conditions.
`is configured to be dynamically adjusted in response to the
`For example,bias currents are reduced in response to a need
`first signal strength.
`for reduced signal handling capability,
`impedances are
`Another exemplary embodimentof the present invention
`scaled thus reducing required drive and other bias currents
`provides a wireless transceiver integrated circuit. This cir-
`in response to a strong received signal, or gain is varied and
`cuit includes a receiver comprising a signal path, the signal
`impedances are scaled in response to a low received signal
`path havinga first circuit; and a second circuit having an
`in the presence ofno or weakinterfering signals. Alternately,
`input coupledto an outputofthe first circuit; as well as a first
`
`The present invention relates to power dissipation reduc-
`tion techniques for electronic circuits, for example wireless
`transceiver integrated circuits.
`Wireless networking is quickly becoming ubiquitous, as
`desktop, notebook, and handheld computers are connected
`to share Internet access and files. Wireless networking cards
`compatible with PCMCIA and compact flash form factors
`are popular for laptops and handheldsrespectively, particu-
`larly as mobile users connect to the Internet on the road at
`coffee shops, hotels, and airports.
`A downside of this connectivity is a corresponding drain
`on battery life, especially for these portable devices. The
`power consumed by a wireless transmitter and receiver
`reduces the usefulness of a device and sends a user on a hunt
`for an electrical outlet for recharging.
`One reason why this powerdrain is high is that electronic
`circuits are typically designed to function properly under
`worst-case operating conditions. For a wireless transceiver,
`he worst case condition is when a desired signal reception
`strength is low, while othertransceivers or nearby electronic
`equipment generate interfering signals and other spurious
`noise.
`But a wireless transceiver does not always operate in
`hese worst-case conditions. For example, a base station,
`router or access point may be nearby suchthat the received
`signalis strong. Also, there may be nointerfering signals, or
`hey may be relatively weak. In these situations, receiver
`circuit currents can be reduced below what is necessary for
`he worst case condition. If this is done, powerdissipation is
`reduced, and battery life is increased.
`Thus, what is needed are circuits and methods that can
`adapt to a better-than-worst-case condition and reduce cir-
`cuit currents and therefore power dissipation accordingly.
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`40
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`50
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3
`4
`signal strength indicator circuit coupled to the signal path,
`is shownforillustrative purposes only and does notto limit
`either the possible embodimentsof the present invention or
`and configured to determineafirst signal strength. A gain of
`the claims.
`the first circuit is configured to be dynamically adjusted in
`There are three main portionsofthis transceiver circuit, a
`responseto the first signal strength, and an impedancein the
`receiver, transmitter, and synthesizer. This transceiver may
`second circuit is configured to be dynamically adjusted in
`be completely or partially integrated on a semiconductor
`response to the first signal strength.
`chip, or it may be integrated onto multiple integrated cir-
`A better understanding ofthe nature and advantages of the
`cuits. In a specific embodiment, the circuitry bounded by
`present
`invention may be gained with reference to the
`dashedline 100 is integrated on a single chip coupled to one
`following detailed description and the accompanying draw-
`or more external components or circuits. The integrated
`ings.
`circuit or circuits forming this wireless transceiver may
`incorporate various integrated circuit devices such as a
`bipolar, CMOS, or BiCMOSdevices made usinga silicon,
`silicon-germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide or other III-V
`process, or other manufacturing process. Embodiments of
`the present invention may also be applicable to circuits
`manufactured using nanotechnology processing.
`The receiver includes a signal path formed by low-noise
`amplifier 102, I and Q mixers 104 and 106, low passfilters
`108 and 110, and baseband amplifiers 114 and 116. Other
`circuitry in the receiver includes received strength indicator
`122, automatic gain control circuit 166, baseband gain
`control circuit 120, tuning circuit 112, and offset cancella-
`tion circuit 118.
`The transmitter includes input up-converter mixers 124
`and 126, summing node 176, which may be conceptual
`rather than an actualcircuit, transmit variable gain amplifier
`128, and power amplifier 130.
`The synthesizer includes a voltage-controlled oscillator
`148, which drives I and Q buffers 154 and 152, prescaler
`156, reference clock buffer 142 and divider 158, phase-
`frequency detector 160, charge pump 162, and loop filter
`146, which in a specific embodiment is formed by external
`components.
`Signals are received on an antenna, not shown, and
`typically pass through an RF switch and bandpass filter
`before being received by the low-noise amplifier 102 online
`101. The low noise amplifier gains the received signal and
`providesit to quadrature mixers 104 and 106. I and Q mixers
`104 and 106 down-convert the received signal to baseband
`by multiplying them with quadrature versions of the oscil-
`lator signal provided by buffers 152 and 154. This down
`conversion also produces a high frequency component at a
`frequency that is equal to the sum of the frequencies of the
`received signal and the VCO. This unwanted signal
`is
`filtered by low pass filters 108 and 110, which in turn drive
`baseband amplifiers 114 and 116. The outputs of baseband
`amplifiers 114 and 116 are typically converted to digital
`signals by analog-to-digital converters at the front end of a
`digital signal processing block.
`In the transmit mode, I and Q versionsofthe signal to be
`transmitted are provided onlines 121 and 123 to up-convert
`mixers 124 and 126. These up-convert mixers multiply the
`I and Q portions of the transmit signal by quadrature
`versions of the VCO signalprovided by buffers 152 and 154.
`The outputs of the up-convert mixers 124 and 126 are
`summed, and amplified by transmit VGA 128, which in tum
`drives power amplifier 130. The output of power amplifier
`130 is typically filtered, and passes through the RF switch to
`the antenna for transmission.
`A reference clock is received and buffered by the refer-
`ence buffer 142. The VCO generates quadrature oscillatory
`signals that are divided by prescaler 156. The reference
`clock is typically generated by a crystal or other stable
`periodic clock source. The phase-frequency detector 116
`comparesthe phase or frequency (depending on whether the
`synthesizeris tracking or acquiring the correct frequency) of
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless transceiver that
`maybenefit by incorporation of embodimentsof the present
`invention;
`FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of desired and
`interfering signals and noise that may be received by a
`circuit in a wireless receiver;
`FIG.3 illustrates what can occur as a maximum signal
`handling capability is reduced in the worst-case signal
`condition;
`FIG.4 illustrates a portion ofa receiver consistent with an
`embodimentof the present invention;
`FIG.5 illustrates the relationship between a required bias
`current and a given output signal for a representative circuit;
`FIG.6 is an example of how a circuit’s impedances may
`be scaled to reduce drive currents, and depending on the
`circuit configuration used, to reduce associatedbias currents
`as well;
`FIG. 7 illustrates how gain may be inserted in a signal
`path to improvea circuit’s signal to noise ratio;
`FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate someof the possible power saving
`techniques that may be used when received desired and
`interferer signals are all at a low powerlevel;
`FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate one of the possible power saving
`techniques that may be used whena received desired signal
`is strong while all interfering signals are at a low power
`level;
`FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate one of the possible power
`saving techniques that may be used when received desired
`and interferer signals are all at a high powerlevel;
`FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate one of the possible power
`saving techniques that may be used whena received desired
`signal is weak while one or more interfering signals are
`strong;
`FIG. 12 is a summary illustrating four different input
`conditions and some of the appropriate power-saving
`changes that may be made in response to those conditions;
`FIG. 13 shows how power maybesaved as a function of
`time by employing oneor more ofthe power saving methods
`consistent with embodiments of the present invention;
`FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a portion of a receiver
`consistent with an embodimentof the present invention; and
`FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a portion of a transmitter
`consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`40
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`65
`
`DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless transceiver that
`maybenefit by incorporation of embodimentsof the present
`invention. This wireless transceiver may be designed to send
`and receive signals consistent with the IEEE 802.11a,
`802.11b, 802.11g, or other signaling standard or combina-
`tion of standards. This figure, as with all the includedfigures,
`
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`US 10,129,825 B2
`
`5
`the divided VCOsignal and the reference clock, or a divided
`version ofthe reference clock, and generates an errorsignal,
`which drives the charge pump 162. The output signal of the
`charge pump 162is filtered by the loop filter 146, whichis
`commonly a lead-lag filter, and which provides a tuning or
`correction signal to the VCO 148.
`Embodiments of the present invention may be used to
`reduce the power dissipation of one or more of these
`included circuits. For example, the power dissipation in the
`low-noise amplifier 102, down-convert mixers 104 and 106,
`low passfilters 108 and 110, or baseband amplifiers 114 and
`116 may be optimized. Also, power dissipation in up-convert
`mixers 124 126, variable gain amplifier 128, and power
`amplifier 130 may also be optimized. Similarly, VCO 148
`and prescaler 156 currents may be adjusted. Embodiments
`of the present invention mayalso be appliedin othercircuits
`which maybe included in otherintegrated circuit receivers,
`transmitters,
`transceivers, or other electronic circuits or
`systems.
`When a receiver is actively receiving a desired signal,
`each block in the signal path has at its input the desired
`signal as well as noise and possibly interfering signals. The
`desired signal is the useful, information-carrying portion of
`a received signal. The noise may be thermal, shot, or other
`noise generated on the integrated circuit,
`in addition to
`received noise generated by sources external to the chip. The
`noise at the input of a block maybe referred to as the
`equivalent input noise. The interfering signal or signals, or
`interferers, may be generated by similar transceivers, or
`otherelectrical equipment, circuits, or systems.
`FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of desired signals,
`interferers, and noise that may be received by one of the
`various circuits in a wireless receiver. In each of these
`figures, the signal strength is plotted along a Y-axis 204 or
`254 a