High-Performance, Low-Power Wireless Communication

我们提出了一种集成的方法来最小化高性能无线通信系统的功耗。我们的跨学科方法将同时解决系统设计的关键层面：最小能量通信技术，节能信号处理电子，高效射频前端和并发优化方法。我们的目标将通过在以下研究领域开发设计方法来实现：(a)用于时间和码分多址信道的调制、检测、均衡、分集和资源分配技术，这些技术不是专注于在不考虑复杂性的情况下实现信道容量，而是专注于最小能量通信，同时考虑其实现的能源消耗。(b)低能量混合信号电子学，用于执行基带功能，如数据处理、编码、均衡等。我们的方法包括两个组成部分：使用开关模式射频电路的能量恢复数字逻辑，以及非常低功耗的模拟神经硬件。(c)高效率的综合有源天线阵列，有可能大幅度提高直流到辐射载波的总功率效率。我们的方法通过将高效率的开关模式射频电路与紧凑的天线阵列集成在一起，节省了空间和功率，允许添加诸如波束形成和(d)随机参数并行设计优化等功能，这可以在现有设计中显著降低功耗，并可以进一步利用上述方法的优势。这些节省将产生更小、更轻、更可靠、更强大的无线、手持、笔记本电脑和车载通信设备。开发的技术和设计方法将适用于超过2500万美国蜂窝用户以及未来数百万个人电脑用户的移动通信系统。

We propose an integrated approach to minimizing power consumption of high-performance wireless communication systems. Our interdisciplinary approach will simultaneously address key levels of system design: minimum-energy communication techniques, energy-efficient signal processing electronics, high efficiency RF front-ends, and concurrent optimization methods. Our objective will be reached by developing design methodologies in the following research areas: (a) Modulation, detection, equalization, diversity, and resource allocation techniques for time and code-division multiple-access channels, which instead of concentrating on achieving channel capacity without regard to complexity, focus on minimum-energy communications while accounting for energy consumption for their implementation (b) Low-energy mixed-signal electronics to perform baseband functions such as data processing, coding, equalization etc. Our approach includes two components: digital logic with energy recovery using switch-mode RF circuits, and very low-power analog neural hardware. (c) High-efficiency integrated active antenna arrays, with a potential for manifold increase in overall DC to radiated carrier power efficiency. Our approach saves space and power by integrating high-efficiency switch-mode RF circuits with compact antenna arrays, allowing added functionality such as beam forming and (d) Concurrent design optimization over stochastic parameters, which can yield significantly lower power consumption in existing designs, and can take further advantage of the above methodologies. These savings will yield smaller, lighter, more reliable, and more capable wireless, hand-held, lap-top, and vehicular communication devices. The developed technologies and design methodologies will apply to mobile communication systems for the more than 25 million U.S. cellular subscribers as well as the millions of PCS subscribers over the horizon.