VIZOR: Virtually zero margin adaptive RF for ultra low power wireless communication

Abstract

Modern wireless transceiver systems are often overdesigned to meet the requirements of low bit error rate values at high data rates under worst-case channel operating conditions (interference, noise, multi-path effects). This results in circuits being designed with ldquosufficientrdquo margins leading to lower efficiency and high power consumption. In this paper, we develop an adaptive power management strategy for RF systems that optimally trades-off power vs. performance for the RF front-end to maintain operation at or below a specified maximum bit error rate (BER) across temporally changing operating conditions. As the communication channel degrades, more power is consumed by the RF front end and vice versa. Since the maximum bit-error rate specification is not violated, minimum voice or video quality through the wireless channel is always guaranteed.