Method for optimizing power consumption in wireless devices using data rate efficiency factor
17 claims: 11 independent, 6 dependent
- 1複数の無線アクセス技術をサポートしているワイヤレス電子デバイスを動作させる方法において、 前記ワイヤレス電子デバイスでの現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術と関連付けられるデータレート効率値を求める段階であって、前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術と関連付けられるデータ効率値は前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術のためのデータレートと前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術のための電力消費値との比に基づいて決定される、段階と、 前記ワイヤレス電子デバイスでの代わりの無線アクセス技術と関連付けられるデータレート効率値を求める段階であって、ルックアップ表を使用して、前記代わりの無線アクセス技術と関連付けられるデータ効率値は前記代わりの無線アクセス技術のためのデータレートの推定値と前記代わりの無線アクセス技術のための電力消費値の推定値との比に基づいて決定される、段階と、 前記代わりの無線アクセス技術についての前記データレート効率値が前記現在の無線アクセス技術についての前記データレート効率値よりも大きいと判定したことに応えて、当該代わりの無線アクセス技術を、前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術に代えて、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイスのためのワイヤレスデータの伝送での使用へ切り替える段階と、を備えている方法。
- 2前記代わりの無線アクセス技術についての前記データレート効率値が前記現在の無線アクセス技術についての前記データレート効率値よりも小さいと判定したことに応えて、当該の現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術の、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイスでの前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術としての使用を維持する段階を、更に備えている、請求項1に記載の方法。
- 3前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術と関連付けられる前記データレート効率値を求める段階は、 前記ワイヤレス電子デバイス中の制御回路構成を用いて、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイスに係るワイヤレスデータトラフィックの伝送と関連付けられる現在のデータレートを現在のパワー消費値で割った比を算出する段階を備えている、請求項1に記載の方法。
- 4前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術についての前記データレート効率値を求める段階は、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイス中のパワー管理ユニットを使用してパワー消費測定を行う段階を備えている、請求項1に記載の方法。
- 5前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術についての前記データレート効率値を求める段階は、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイス中のベースバンドプロセッサを使用して現在のワイヤレストラフィックデータレートを求める段階を備えている、請求項1に記載の方法。
- 6前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術についての前記データレート効率値を求める段階は、当該現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術と関連付けられるワイヤレスパラメータをベースバンドプロセッサから取得する段階を備えている、請求項1に記載の方法。
- 7前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術についての前記データレート効率値を求める段階は、当該現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術と関連付けられる前記ワイヤレス電子デバイスの動作パラメータをベースバンドプロセッサから取得する段階を備えており、当該動作パラメータは、RSSI、RSCP、RSRP、MCS、CQI、RI、PMI、SINR、及び送信パワーレベル、から成る群より選択されている、請求項1に記載の方法。
- 8前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術についての前記データレート効率値を求める段階は、 前記ワイヤレス電子デバイス中の制御回路構成を用いて、数式を使い、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイスと関連付けられる現在のワイヤレスデータレートを当該ワイヤレス電子デバイスと関連付けられる現在のパワー消費で割ったものの値を、当該ワイヤレス電子デバイス中のベースバンドプロセッサからのデータに基づいて、算出する段階を備えている、請求項1に記載の方法。
- 9前記現在アクティブになっているアクセス技術は、ロングタームエボリューション(LTE)無線アクセス技術を備えている、請求項1に記載の方法。
- 10ワイヤレス電子デバイスにおいて、 複数の無線アクセス技術を使用して無線周波数信号を送信及び受信するように構成されているワイヤレス回路構成と、 前記ワイヤレス回路構成へ連結されている制御回路構成であって、前記複数の無線アクセス技術のうちのどれを使用するべきかを、リアルタイムで、前記複数の無線アクセス技術のそれぞれがワイヤレスデータを伝送するのにどれほど効率良くパワーを使用するかを表すデータレート効率計量に基づいて、選択するように構成されている制御回路構成と、を備え、 前記制御回路構成は、 前記複数の無線アクセス技術のうちの現在アクティブになっているものについての前記データレート効率計量としての第1の値を求めるように構成されていて、当該第1の値は、前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術のためのデータレートと前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術のための電力消費値との比に基づいて決定され、また、 前記複数の無線アクセス技術のうちの一つの代わりのものについての前記データレート効率計量としての第2の値を求めるように構成されていて、ルックアップ表を使用して、当該第2の値は、前記代わりの無線アクセス技術のためのデータレートの推定値と前記代わりの無線アクセス技術のための電力消費値の推定値との比に基づいて決定される、ワイヤレス電子デバイス。
- 11前記制御回路構成は、前記第1の値が前記第2の値より小さいと判定したことに応えて、前記複数の無線アクセス技術のうちの前記代わりのものを、当該複数の無線アクセス技術のうちの前記現在アクティブになっているものに代えて使用へ切り替えるように構成されている、請求項 10 に記載のワイヤレス電子デバイス。
- 12前記ワイヤレス回路構成及び前記制御回路構成は、前記第1の値と前記第2の値のうちの少なくとも一方を、RSSI、RSCP、RSRP、MCS、CQI、RI、PMI、SINR、及び送信パワーレベル、から成る群より選択されているパワーメータに基づいて算出するように構成されている、請求項 11 に記載のワイヤレス電子デバイス。
- 13前記のワイヤレス回路構成及び制御回路構成は、前記第1の値と前記第2の値のうちの少なくとも一方を、受信されたワイヤレス信号強度情報に基づいて算出するように構成されている、請求項 11 に記載のワイヤレス電子デバイス。
- 14現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術と代わりの無線アクセス技術を含む複数の無線アクセス技術を使用するワイヤレス通信をサポートしているワイヤレス電子デバイスを動作させる方法において、 データレート効率計量の値に基づき、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイス内の制御回路構成を使用して、ワイヤレスデータの伝送での前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術の使用を維持するべきか、又は前記代わりの無線アクセス技術を当該現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術に代えて使用へ切り替えるべきかを判定する段階を備えており、前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術と関連付けられるデータレート効率計量は、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイスに係るデータトラフィックを前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術でワイヤレス伝送する場合のデータレート値を当該ワイヤレス電子デバイスを使用して前記データトラフィックを前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術でワイヤレス伝送する場合と関連付けられるパワー消費値で割った比に基づいており、前記代わりの無線アクセス技術と関連付けられるデータレート効率計量は、ルックアップ表を用いて、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイスに係るデータトラフィックを前記代わりの無線アクセス技術でワイヤレス伝送する場合のデータレートの推定値を当該ワイヤレス電子デバイスを使用して前記データトラフィックを前記代わりの無線アクセス技術でワイヤレス伝送する場合と関連付けられるパワー消費値の推定値で割った比に基づいている、方法。
- 15前記制御回路構成を用いて、前記データレート値を、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイス中のベースバンドプロセッサ集積回路から取得する段階、を更に備えている、請求項 14 に記載の方法。
- 16前記パワー消費値を、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイス中のパワー管理ユニットを使用して測定する段階、を更に備えている、請求項 15 に記載の方法。
- 17前記複数の無線アクセス技術のうちの少なくとも1つはロングタームエボリューション(LTE)無線アクセス技術を備えており、前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術は当該LTE無線アクセス技術より成り、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイス内の前記制御回路 構成 を使用して、ワイヤレスデータの伝送での前記現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術の使用を維持するべきか、又は前記代わりの無線アクセス技術を当該現在アクティブになっている無線アクセス技術に代えて使用へ切り替えるべきかを判定する段階は、前記ワイヤレス電子デバイス内の前記制御回路構成を使用して、ワイヤレスデータの伝送での前記LTE無線アクセス技術の使用を維持するべきか、又は前記代わりの無線アクセス技術を当該LTE無線アクセス技術に代えて使用へ切り替えるべきかを判定する段階を備えている、請求項 14 に記載の方法。
Independent claims17
43 paragraphs, as filed
0001The present application relates generally to wireless communication circuit configurations, and more precisely to optimizing the power consumption associated with using wireless circuit configurations in electronic devices.
0002Electronic devices such as computers and cellular phones are often provided with wireless communication capabilities. For example, electronic devices may use long-range wireless communication circuit configurations, such as cellular telephone circuit configurations, to handle voice and data traffic.
0003Wireless networks can often support multiple wireless access technologies. For example, wireless networks include older equipment for handling wireless access technologies associated with "2G" and "3G" communications, as well as wireless access such as long-term evolution (LTE) wireless access technologies associated with "4G" communications. We will also have newer equipment to handle the technology.
0004In networks with support for multiple wireless access technologies, the amount of coverage available for each wireless access technology varies as a function of user location and network traffic level. Performance will suffer if users are located near the edge of a network cell or if a large number of users are operating in a network-intensive environment. If care is not taken, performance degradation can cause users' electronic devices to inefficiently consume power when handling wireless data traffic.
<p num="0005"> Therefore, it is desirable to be able to optimize the power consumption efficiency of wireless electronic devices such as electronic devices that support communication using a plurality of wireless access technologies.</p>
<p num="0006"> The wireless electronic device has a wireless communication circuit configuration that supports communication using a plurality of wireless access technologies. Depending on network conditions, one of those wireless access technologies could use power more efficiently to transmit wireless data than the other. To optimally consume the battery power of the electronic device, the electronic device can switch between the use of multiple wireless access technologies.</p><p num="0007"> Electronic devices collect information such as data rate values, power consumption values, and other operating values for currently active wireless access technologies and alternative wireless access technologies. The electronic device can automatically switch between the currently active wireless access technology and an alternative wireless access technology based on the value of the data rate efficiency metric. Data rate efficiency metric is how efficiently each wireless access technology can use power to transmit a given amount of data per unit time (ie, how much data is transmitted per energy unit). Can it be done?). Data rate efficiency metrics can be assessed using power consumption data, measured data rate values, and operating parameters such as signal strength parameters and transmit power parameters.</p><p num="0008"> Further features, properties, and various advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments that follow.</p>
0009<figref num="1">It is a schematic diagram of an exemplary electronic device having a wireless communication circuit configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="2">An exemplary lookup table of the type that can be used to determine the value of the Data Rate Efficiency Factor (DREF) based on signal strength parameters and other wireless parameters according to certain embodiments of the present invention. ..</figref><figref num="3">It is a flow diagram of an exemplary step relating to the step of determining the characteristics of wireless electronic device performance and loading data rate efficiency information into a wireless device being manufactured according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="4">It is a flow diagram of an exemplary step of operating a wireless electronic device to optimize power consumption according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref>
0010Modern wireless networks often support multiple wireless access technologies. Examples of wireless access technologies include Pan-European Digital Mobile Phone System (GSM®), Universal Mobile Communication System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) (eg, CDMA2000). CDMA2000), which includes standards such as 1XRTT, and Long Term Evolution (LTE). Earlier introduced wireless access technologies such as GSM®, UMTS, and CDMA, sometimes referred to as 2G or 3G technologies, are more recently introduced and perhaps more advanced technologies. Technologies such as LTE are sometimes referred to as 4G technology. Wireless access technologies such as these are used in communications relating to cellular telephones, portable computers and other user devices by wireless networks such as cellular telephone networks. Many networks support older wireless access technologies (eg 2G and / or 3G wireless access technologies) while also deploying newer technologies (eg 4G technologies). This technique of supporting multiple wireless access technologies has the potential to bring devices that can support newer wireless access technologies without compromising service to users of older devices. I am trying to benefit from progress.
0011Newer wireless access technologies, such as 4G wireless access technologies, can provide sufficient data throughput under satisfactory operating conditions, but cannot guarantee high data rates in peripheral network environments. Therefore, users may not always be able to enjoy high data rates, even when connected to a network using newer wireless access technologies such as 4G wireless access technologies. In some situations, it can lead to unpleasantly large power consumption.
0012As an example, consider a user whose cellular phone or other electronic device is using 4G wireless access technology to upload data files to a wireless network. Under optimal network conditions, where users can obtain sufficient signal strength from the network and the number of concurrent users on the network is low, users may be able to obtain an upload data rate of 60 Mbps. To obtain this upload data rate, the wireless circuit configuration in the user's electronic device will consume 3W of power in the electronic device. In suboptimal network conditions, such as when a user is trying to upload a file at the edge of a cell boundary where the signal strength is weak, or when a large number of simultaneous users are overloading the network. Users may only be able to get an upload data rate of 60kbps. Even though the wireless circuit configuration in the user's electronic device is only transmitting data at 60 kbps (in this example), the wireless circuit configuration in the electronic device is when the user's device is transmitting data at 60 Mbps. It will require the same 3W power. Compared to older 2G and 3G technologies, the required internal device processing associated with the implementation of newer 4G technologies is often significant, resulting in relatively high power consumption (3W in this example). However, the situation arises that both low 4G data rate and high 4G data rate are attached.
0013As this example demonstrates, the amount of data transmitted per given battery energy expenditure under optimal network conditions (60Mbps / 3W = 20Mb / J) is under suboptimal network conditions. It is significantly larger than the amount of data transmitted (60kbps / 3W = 20kb / J) for the same battery energy expenditure.
0014An electronic device that can be used to solve this potential inefficiency is shown in Figure 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 10 communicates with the network device 12 via the wireless communication path 14. Network equipment 12 includes pan-European digital mobile telephone system (GSM®), universal mobile communication system (UMTS), code division multiple access (CDMA) (eg, CDMA2000 including standards such as CDMA2000 1XRTT), long It will support multiple wireless access technologies (RATs) such as Term Evolution (LTE), WiFi® (IEEE802.11), WiMax (IEEE802.16), and other wireless access technologies. Wireless access technologies such as GSM®, UMTS, and CDMA, sometimes referred to as 2G or 3G technology, 4G wireless access technologies such as LTE, and additional wireless such as WiFi and WiMax. Access technologies are sometimes supported within the same network.
0015To avoid inefficient use of power during wireless operation, electronic device 10 seeks how efficiently data is being transmitted using its currently active wireless access technology. And its efficiency level can be compared to that of available alternative wireless access technologies. This allows device 10 to use optimal wireless access technology.
0016Real-time power consumption and data rate measurements can be used to determine how efficiently data is being transmitted, or even if the data transmission efficiency values are estimated from signal strength parameters and other operating parameters. Good. For comparison, device 10 can likewise determine how efficiently data can be transmitted if some alternative wireless access technology is to be used. The device 10 may, by way of example, calculate the value of a data rate efficiency metric (sometimes also referred to as a data rate efficiency factor or DREF) for both current and alternative wireless access technologies. By comparing the DREF values for current wireless access technology and alternative wireless access technology, device 10 can benefit from switching from current wireless access technology to alternative wireless access technology in order to improve power consumption efficiency. You can decide if you have one.
0017As an example, consider a scenario where 4G performance is suboptimal due to heavy network congestion and poor signal coverage at the edges of network cells. Under these conditions, users may end up transmitting data at 50kbps while spending 3W of power using 4G wireless access technology. On the other hand, if users decide to switch to 3G wireless access technology, they may be able to achieve a data transmission rate of 1Mbps while spending 1.5W of power. Device 10 is from 4G operating mode to 3G operating mode because the 3G data transmission conditions (for this example) provide the feasibility of more efficient data transmission (more data is transmitted per unit spending energy). You can switch to to optimize power consumption. This change in wireless access technology may be performed automatically in real time without the intervention of the user of the electronic device, or it may be performed after obtaining approval from the user. Good.
0018The device 10 may have a control circuit configuration such as a baseband processor 16 and a control circuit configuration 30. The control circuit configuration in device 10 is configured to evaluate data rate power efficiency metrics such as the data rate power efficiency factor DREF in real time for both current and alternative wireless access technologies. Good. The value of DREF may be used to determine when to switch between wireless access technologies.
0019The baseband processor 16 may include a protocol stack for handling multiple radio access technologies. For example, the baseband processor 16 uses a first protocol stack, such as a protocol stack 26 for handling wireless data communications using a first wireless access technology (RAT1), a second wireless access technology (RAT2). It may include a second protocol stack, such as the protocol stack 28 for handling wireless data communications, and so on. Data is optimally efficient because device 10 can switch between protocol stack 26 and protocol stack 28 during operation based on the value of DREF for current and alternative wireless access technologies. Will be transmitted continuously.
0020The control circuit configuration 30 may include a processing circuit configuration 32 and a memory 34. The processing circuit configuration 30 includes one or more microprocessors, one or more microcontrollers, one or more digital signal processors, one or more application-specific integrated circuits, and / or others. Suitable processing and control circuit configurations, may be included. The memory 34 may include a stand-alone memory chip, a hard drive, a storage circuit configuration contained in one or more integrated circuits, and other storage.
0021During the data transmission operation, data from a circuit configuration such as processor circuit configuration 32 will be provided to the radio frequency transmitter / receiver 18 via the baseband processor 16. The radio frequency transmitter / receiver circuit configuration 18 may include a transmitter that transmits a radio frequency signal on a path 40. A power amplifier circuit configuration, such as power amplifier circuit configuration 22, may be used to amplify the transmitted radio frequency signal. The transmitted signal from the output of the power amplifier circuit configuration 22 is connected to one or more antennas (antenna structure) such as the antenna 42 by the front-end circuit configuration 20. The front-end circuit configuration 20 includes a radio frequency filter such as a duplexer and a diplexer, an impedance matching circuit configuration, a transmission line circuit configuration, a switching circuit configuration, and another circuit configuration for connecting the transmitter / receiver circuit configuration 18 to the antenna structure 42. Will include ,. During the data reception operation, the antenna signal received from the antenna 42 is provided to the receiver in the radio frequency transmitter / receiver circuit configuration 18 via the front-end circuit configuration 20 and the path 24. A path, such as path 24, may include a low noise amplifier (LNA) for amplifying the received radio frequency signal, if desired.
0022Power to power the device 10 could be obtained from a wired source such as a wall outlet and an alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power converter, or from a battery such as battery 38. Especially in portable devices, it may be desirable to use a battery such as battery 38 to provide a source of power. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery 38 provides DC power to the power management unit 36 via a path such as path 44. The power management unit 36 helps to coordinate the flow of power to the wireless circuit configuration 48 (including the control circuit configuration in the baseband processor 16) and the control circuit configuration 30.
0023During the operation of device 10, the power management unit 36 is used to measure the amount of power consumed. The path 46 may have a signal path that allows a control circuit configuration, such as the control circuit configuration in the control path configuration 30 and / or the baseband processor 16, to communicate with the control circuit configuration in the power management unit 36. For example, path 46 currently draws how much power from the power management unit 36 to the control circuit configuration in device 10 such as the control circuit configuration in control path configuration 30 and / or baseband processor 16. The information indicating that it is being used could be used to transmit. During wireless operation, the wireless circuit configuration 48 consumes most of the power in device 10, so the power consumption data provided by the power management unit 36 corresponds to the power consumption level associated with the wireless circuit configuration 48. doing. The power management unit 36 measures the amount of current (I) sent to the circuit configuration of a device such as wireless circuit configuration 48, measures the voltage (V) associated with the sending current, and equations ( The power may be measured by the stage of calculating the power consumption P using 1).<maths num="1"><img id="000002" he="5" wi="159" file="JP5939552B2_D0001.tif" img-format="tif" img-content="drawing" /></maths>Other techniques may be used for measuring the power consumed by device 10 (wireless circuit configuration 48), if desired. The use of a circuit configuration such as the power management unit circuit configuration 36 in FIG. 1 is merely an example.
0024The value of DREF (ie, the ratio of the amount of power consumed to the data rate) for various wireless access technologies is the stage of determining the data rate value, the stage of determining the power consumption value, and the data rate value to the power consumption. It can be obtained by the stage of calculating the ratio of values. Power and / or data rate measurements and / or power and / or data rate estimates could be used.
0025For example, the amount of data currently being transmitted or received by device 10 per unit time is determined by querying the baseband processor 16 or other wireless circuit configurations used to send and receive data. May be good. In some situations (for example, if the data rate associated with the use of an alternative wireless access technology is determined before the alternative wireless access technology is actually used to handle data traffic), the actual data rate. Would be impossible to sample. In this type of situation, it may be desirable to use a data rate estimator to calculate the data rate value. The function may be implemented as a mathematical formula or look-up table and could be used to relate operating parameters such as signal strength parameters and other wireless parameters to the associated data rate.
0026The power consumption value can be measured or estimated in real time using a power measurement circuit configuration such as the power management unit 36 in the device 10. As an example, the power withdrawal for a given wireless access technology in wireless circuit configuration 48 could be estimated by collecting data on operating parameters that affect power consumption levels. Examples of operating parameters that can be used to calculate (estimate) power consumption for wireless circuit configuration 48 include the identity of the radio access technology involved and which when transmitting wireless data using a given radio frequency access technology. Information about whether or will be used radio frequency signal modulation schemes, information about the quality of the communication link 14 (eg signal strength information about a given radio access technology), in the wireless circuit mechanism 48. Information on which integrated circuit is powered, the quantity of power amplifier circuit configuration 22 in use and / or information on the power amplifier configuration for the power amplifier 18 (eg transmit power data), front-end circuit configuration 20 and Information about the settings associated with the antenna structure 42, and so on. Device operating parameters such as these (eg, wireless circuit configuration operating parameters) are the amount of power consumption associated with the currently active wireless access technology and / or some given wireless access technology (ie, alternative). It could be used in estimating the amount of power consumption that would be associated with the use of wireless access technology).
0027If direct measurement and / or calculation is used to estimate the data values, device 10 (eg, control circuit configuration such as control circuit configuration 30 and / or control circuit configuration in baseband processor 16) It may be used to determine the value of the data efficiency parameter (measurement) DREF. An exemplary loop-up table of types that can be used in calculating DREF as a function of wireless parameters such as RSSI (Received Signal Strength Index) for wireless access technologies such as 3G wireless access technology is shown in the figure. Shown in 2. The measured RSSI values are shown in the first column of the table in Figure 2. The value of RSSI for a given wireless access technology (eg, the currently active wireless access technology) could be obtained from the baseband processor integrated circuit 16 during the operation of wireless circuit configuration 48 (as an example). .. As shown in Figure 2, low RSSI values (suggesting weaker signal strength and thus greater need to boost transmit power as shown in column 2) are high expectations. It is associated with transmit (TX) power levels and the corresponding high power consumption (shown in column 3) for wireless circuit configuration 48. Expected data rates tend to increase for higher signal strengths and decrease for lower signal strengths, as shown in column 4 of the table in Figure 2. The value of DREF (the entry in column 4 of each row divided by the entry in column 3 of that row) is shown in the entry in column 5 of the table in Figure 2. (Intermediate columns such as the second, third, and fourth columns in Figure 2 may actually be omitted to save storage space.)
0028If desired, other parameters may be used in determining the value of DREF. Examples of other parameters that can be used when assessing DREF are Received Signal Code Power (RSCP), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), Channel Quality Indicator (CQI). , Rank indication (RI), precoding matrix index (PMI), signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR), transmit (Tx) power level, etc. Parameters such as these are collected by wireless circuit configuration 48 (eg, baseband processor 16). In general, the operating parameters in device 10 can be collected using any suitable circuit configuration in device 10 (eg, power management unit 36, control circuit configuration 30, baseband processor 16, etc.). These parameters are implemented using a lookup table such as the table in Figure 2 or using mathematical formulas (for example, taking one or more of these parameters as input and outputting a DREF value. It is rated to calculate the DREF using the function that produces as.
0029Using the type of technique shown in the example in Figure 2, device 10 is routed to a radio access technology, such as the currently active radio access technology (ie, being handled by the transmitter / receiver 18). You can find the value of the DREF (for currently active data traffic being carried via 14). The device 10 also calculates the expected value of the DREF if the device 10 decides to switch to handling the wireless communication of the device 10 using some alternative wireless access technology, as shown in Figure 2. You can use the indicated model lookup table or formula. As an example, if device 10 is currently carrying 4G traffic, device 10 may find the value of DREF for both current 4G wireless access technology and alternative 3G wireless access technology.
0030When determining the value of DREF for an alternative wireless access technology, device 10 may temporarily use the alternative wireless access technology. For example, device 10 switches to using some alternative protocol stack while the currently active radio access technology is idle, using a secondary antenna in antenna structure 42, An alternative wireless access technology may be used to assess the amount of performance currently available, and the like. In making these assessments, device 10 has wireless parameters and other operating parameters described in connection with FIG. 2 (eg, RSSI, RSCP, RSRP, MCS, CQI, RI, PMI, SINR, Tx power level). , Current data rate, etc.) may be obtained. The functions that device 10 uses to calculate the expected data rate and power consumption (ie DREF) are the look-up tables, formulas, one or more tables and one or more of the types shown in Figure 2. It could be implemented using some combination of the above formulas, and so on.
0031Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of operations related to the stage of determining and setting up the characteristics of a device such as device 10 in Fig. 1. In step 50, the data rate power efficiency performance of device 10 is characterized. Specifically, data is collected on the performance of the device 10 under various data rates and power consumption conditions. For example, the power consumption of device 10 includes which wireless access technology is used, which data rate is used, various wireless parameter values (eg RSSI, etc.), and other operating and wireless parameters. It could be measured as a function of. This data will be used in calculating the DREF function for each wireless access technology (step 52). Specifically, the action in step 52 is used to complete the entries in the table of types shown in Figure 2 and / or the constants and / or used in forming the formula for the DREF function. It will be used to find the values of other relationships. DREF characterization data, such as lookup table data and / or mathematical data that describe the DREF function for each wireless access technology, is loaded into device 10 during the operation of step 54. Device 10 is then shipped to the user for use in the wireless network.
0032FIG. 4 is an exemplary step flow diagram relating to operating device 10 in a wireless network that includes network equipment 12 (ie, when transporting data via communication link 14).
0033At step 56, device 10 is operating in the mode in which current wireless access technology is used to communicate data over link 14. The current wireless access technology mode may be, for example, a 3G wireless access technology mode such as UMTS mode (as an example for example purposes) or a 4G wireless access mode such as LTE mode. While operating in the current wireless access technology mode, device 10 collects information about operating parameters for device 10 that will be used in assessing the data rate power efficiency metric DREF. These parameters include the current power consumption value by the wireless circuit configuration 48 (eg, the power consumption value obtained from the power management unit 36 by the control circuit configuration in device 10), baseband processor 16 or device 10. Includes information about wireless parameters such as RSSI, RSCP, RSRP, MCS, CQI, RI, PMI, SINR, Tx power level, current data rate, etc., collected from other circuit configurations.
0034In step 58, the data collected in step 56 is used to determine the current value of DREF. The DREF values are the measured power consumption value (eg, the current power consumption measurement from the power management unit 36) and the current known data rate (eg, baseband), as shown in step 60. It may be calculated from the current data rate value obtained from processor 16. If desired, the DREF may be calculated (ie, estimated) from the operating parameters collected during the operation of step 56 in step 62. For example, a function of the type described in connection with Figure 2 estimates DREF for the currently active wireless access technology as a function of measured parameter values, such as RSSI measurements (as an example). May be used to. If desired, other operating parameters (eg, wireless parameters other than RSSI, Tx power, etc.) may be used in estimating the DREF.
0035After the current value of DREF has been determined, the current value of DREF (ie, the value of DREF corresponding to the current wireless access technology) will be compared to the default threshold TH. TH values are configured such that DREF values greater than TH indicate satisfactory data rate power efficiency performance (ie, a satisfactory amount of data is being transmitted per unit of spent battery energy). It may have been done.
0036In response to the determination that the current DREF value in step 58 is greater than TH, the process returns to step 56 as instructed by line 68.
0037In response to the determination that the current DREF value in step 58 is less than TH, processing proceeds to step 64 as instructed by line 72.
0038During the operation of step 64, device 10 (eg, the control circuit configuration in device 10) will determine the value of DREF for one or more alternative radio access technologies. For example, a function implemented using a look-up table or formula of the type described in connection with FIG. 2 may be used to calculate the DREF for an alternative wireless access technology. In calculating the alternative DREF value, the device 10 may collect information about additional operating parameters and / or may use information from the operating parameters collected during step 56. To determine the value of DREF for an alternative wireless access technology, for example, device 10 has an RSSI value from baseband processor 16 that is collected during the operation of baseband processor 16 (eg, a signal associated with the alternative wireless access technology). The RSSI value corresponding to) may be used, device 10 may be using other wireless parameters associated with an alternative wireless access technology, and device 10 may be associated with an alternative data rate technology. The data rate information to be obtained may be used, or the measured and / or estimated power consumption information may be used.
0039During the operation of step 64, device 10 decides to compare the current DREF (DREF for current wireless access technology) value with the alternative DREF (DREF for alternative wireless access technology) value. Become. The behavior of device 10 after comparing the values of the current DREF and the alternative DREF depends on whether the current DREF is greater than the alternative DREF or the alternative DREF is greater than the current DREF.
0040If the current DREF value is greater than the alternative DREF value, then device 10 concludes that switching to using an alternative wireless access technology cannot further optimize device 10's power consumption. The data rate for data transmission across route 14 may be higher or lower using alternative wireless access technologies, but the ratio of the data rate divided by the power consumption of device 10. Does not improve if device 10 switches to using an alternative wireless access technology. Therefore, in response to determining in step 64 that the current DREF value is greater than the alternative DREF value (ie, in response to determining that the alternative DREF is less than the current DREF), it is now active. The radio access technology is maintained as the currently active radio access technology and the process returns to the operation of step 56 as directed by line 70.
0041On the other hand, if the current DREF value is smaller than the alternative DREF value, device 10 may be better off switching from the current wireless access technology to an alternative wireless access technology to help optimize the power consumption of device 10. Therefore, we conclude that it would be beneficial. Data rates for the transmission of data across route 14 may (or may not) differ using alternative wireless access technologies. Regardless of the expected change in data rate, the ratio of the expected data rate when using the alternative wireless access technology divided by the expected power consumption of device 10 when using the alternative wireless access technology is the current data. It is expected to improve from the ratio of rate to power consumption. Therefore, it is expected that data should be transmitted more efficiently if alternative wireless access technologies are used rather than current wireless access technologies. Therefore, in response to determining in step 64 that the current DREF value is less than the alternative DREF value (ie, in response to determining that the alternative DREF value is greater than the current DREF value), the process Proceed to the operation of step 66.
0042During the operation of step 66, device 10 swaps its currently active wireless access technology with an alternative wireless access technology (ie, the alternative wireless access technology is switched to active use in place of the current wireless access technology. Will be). In this way, the wireless access technology previously considered as an alternative available is switched to active use and becomes the current wireless access technology. The process returns the loop to the operation of step 56 as instructed by line 74.
0043The type of behavior shown in Figure 4 is as the user moves device 10 to a different location in the wireless network and as network usage changes throughout the day (for example, in the network). It will be carried out continuously as the number of active users in it increases or decreases). If network conditions arise that allow the first wireless access technology to transmit more data per unit energy than the second wireless access technology, the control circuit configuration in device 10 will be the first wireless access. Use a protocol stack for technology to handle wireless traffic related to wireless networks. On the other hand, if the network conditions change enough that the second wireless access technology shows the superior ability to transmit data efficiently per unit energy, the device 10 will change the second wireless access technology to the first wireless access technology. Instead, switch to use and use the protocol stack for the second wireless access technology to handle wireless traffic related to wireless networks.
0044The above is merely an example of the principles of the present invention, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The above embodiments may be implemented individually or in some combination.
004510 Electronic devices 12 Network equipment 14 Wireless communication path 16 baseband processor 18 Radio frequency transmitter / receiver circuit configuration 20 Front-end circuit configuration 22 Power amplifier circuit configuration 24 routes 26, 28 protocol stack 30 Control circuit configuration 32 processing circuit 34 memory 36 Power management unit 38 battery 40 routes 42 antenna 44, 46 routes 48 Wireless circuit configuration
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Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office |
|---|---|---|
| JP2009049875A | Cites | Japan |
| JP2011055124A | Cites | Japan |
| JP2010283510A | Cites | Japan |
| JP2010239548A | Cites | Japan |
| 菅野 一生、山崎 浩輔、池田 裕司、石川 博康,マルチモード端末における無線方式の省電力選択手法,電子情報通信学会2009年通信ソサイエティ大会講演論文集1,日本,社団法人電子情報通信学会,2009年 9月 1日,p536-p536,B-17-22 | Non-patent | – |
14 members in 7 offices
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| US2013045744A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| WO2013025350A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| TW201316804A | Taiwan Province of China | A | |
| US8548475B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| CN103748935A | China | A | |
| KR20140054243A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| EP2745576A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| JP2014522210A | Japan | A | |
| TWI479917B | Taiwan Province of China | B | |
| EP3035748A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| JP5939552B2This record | Japan | B2 | |
| EP2745576B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| KR101639492B1 | Republic of Korea | B1 | |
| CN103748935B | China | B |
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Numbers
- Publication
- 5939552
- Application
- 2014526050
Titles2
- Japanese
- ワイヤレスデバイスのパワー消費をデータレート効率因子を使用して最適化するための方法
- English
- How to optimize the power consumption of wireless devices using data rate efficiency factors
Classification
- CPC, 7
- H04W52/0225
- H04W52/02
- H04W36/24
- H04W36/36
- Y02D30/70
- H04W36/1443
- H04W88/06
- IPC, 3
- H04W48 16
- H04W48 18
- H04W88 06
