TW201434331A - Wireless communication module and power-saving control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A wireless communication module is disclosed. The wireless communication module includes a control unit and a communication chip. The control unit receives a control signal and outputs a first and a second signal accordingly, wherein the central processor transmits the control signal with different voltage level according to sleep-mode or off-mode. When the central processor determines sleep-mode, it transmits the control signal with low voltage level to the control unit, and accordingly the control unit transmits the first signal and the second signal with low voltage level to the communication chip so as to enter into sleep-mode. When the central processor determines off-mode, a power signal is changed to low voltage level and lasts a first time interval, and then the first and the second signal is changed to low voltage level in the first time interval, so as to enter into off-mode.

Description

Wireless communication module and power saving control method thereof

The invention relates to a wireless communication module, in particular to a power saving control method of a wireless communication module.

Since the transmitter (Dongle) externally plugged or externally attached to the mobile phone or the mobile electronic device itself is not controlled by the power saving function, and the baseband communication chip currently applied to the external transmitter cannot be combined with the working mode in the electronic device, For example, normal mode, sleep mode and shutdown mode generate effective link interaction. Therefore, when the electronic device enters the sleep mode or the shutdown mode, the communication chip does not enter the sleep mode or the shutdown mode and still consumes power, thereby wasting power and reducing the standby time of the electronic device.

In recent years, the functions of portable electronic devices have become more and more diversified, and the volume is getting smaller and smaller. Together with the convenience of wireless communication and wireless networks, people can receive them at any time when traveling on a vehicle or in various places. Or check for important messages. The functions and online services provided by it are more and more popular among the public, and consumers will be very concerned about the standby time of electronic products when purchasing electronic products. Affecting consumers' consumption motives. Therefore, how to reduce the power consumption of standby time is the focus of research.

The purpose of the invention is to reduce the power consumption of the standby time of the electronic device, and at the same time, to integrate the external transmitter (Dongle) into the electronic device to save the trouble of plugging and unloading, and to make the relevant baseband communication chip and The working mode of the electronic device produces an effective link interaction.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless communication module including a transmitter. The wireless communication module is coupled to a central processing unit, and includes at least a control unit and a communication chip. The control unit receives the control signal and outputs the first signal and the second signal accordingly, and the central processor transmits the control signals of different voltage levels according to the sleep mode or the shutdown mode. The communication chip is further connected to the central processing unit to receive the power signal, wherein the wireless communication module is built in the electronic device. When the central processing unit detects the environmental parameter or the user setting information and determines the sleep mode or the shutdown mode, the control signal of the corresponding voltage level is transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit transmits the corresponding first signal and the second signal To the communication chip to put the communication chip into sleep mode or shutdown mode.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a power saving control method for a wireless communication module, where the power saving control method includes the following steps: detecting environmental parameters or user setting information; determining a sleep mode or shutting down according to environmental parameters or user setting information. Mode; when it is determined to be in the sleep mode, the first and second signals of the low voltage level are transmitted to the communication chip to reduce the current amount of the communication chip; when it is determined to be the shutdown mode, the power signal is turned to the low voltage level Bit and The first time interval is continued, and then the first signal and the second signal are transitioned to a low voltage level in the first time interval, thereby causing the communication chip to enter the shutdown mode.

In summary, the wireless communication module and the power saving control method thereof according to the embodiments of the present invention enable the wireless communication module using the baseband communication chip to enter a sleep or shutdown state according to the sleep or shutdown state of the electronic device. In order to reduce the amount of current of the communication chip, thereby extending the standby time of the electronic device.

The detailed description of the present invention and the accompanying drawings are to be understood by the claims The scope is subject to any restrictions.

100‧‧‧Wireless communication module

110‧‧‧Control unit

120‧‧‧Communication chip

122‧‧‧Power Management Unit

130‧‧‧Central processor

CHR‧‧‧second signal

D1‧‧‧ first time interval

D2‧‧‧Second time interval

T11, t21, t22, t23‧‧‧ time

PWR‧‧‧ power signal

N1‧‧‧N type transistor

P1‧‧‧P type transistor

R1‧‧‧first resistance

R2‧‧‧second resistance

R3‧‧‧ third resistor

R4‧‧‧fourth resistor

RS‧‧‧ control signal

VBA‧‧‧ battery voltage

VCDT‧‧‧ first signal

1 is a block diagram of a circuit block of a wireless communication module according to an embodiment of the invention.

2 is a circuit diagram of a wireless communication module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram showing driving waveforms for controlling a communication chip to enter a sleep mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram showing driving waveforms for controlling a communication chip to enter a shutdown mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a power saving control method of a wireless communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Various illustrative embodiments are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the inventive concept may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, such elements are not limited by the terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the inventive concept. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any of the associated listed items and all combinations of one or more.

[Embodiment of Wireless Communication Module]

Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a circuit block of a wireless communication module according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication module 100 of the present disclosure is coupled to a central processing unit 130, wherein the central processing unit 130 is a processor within an electronic device. The wireless communication module 100 includes a control unit 110 and a communication chip 120. The control unit 110 is connected to the central processing unit 130 and the communication chip 120. In the disclosure, the central processing unit 130 has a power supply signal directly connected to the communication chip 120.

Regarding the control unit 110, the control unit 110 receives the control signal RS transmitted from the central processing unit 130 and outputs the first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR according to the determination, wherein the central processing unit 130 transmits according to the determination result of the sleep mode and the shutdown mode. Control signals RS of different voltage levels. Then, the control unit 110 determines the voltage level of the first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR to be transmitted according to the voltage level of the received control signal RS, that is, the control unit 110 according to the sleep mode or the shutdown mode. The voltage level of the first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR to be transmitted is determined.

Regarding the communication chip 120, the communication chip 120 correspondingly receives the first signal VCDT, the second signal CHR and the power signal PWR, wherein the power signal PWR is transmitted from the central processing unit 130 to the communication chip 120. In this embodiment, the communication chip used is built in an electronic device such as a tablet computer, a mobile phone, or other application product. Through the technical means disclosed in the disclosure, when the electronic device is in the sleep mode or the shutdown mode, the standby current of the communication chip 120 can be effectively saved.

Next, the working principle of the wireless communication module 100 is further explained from the sleep mode and the shutdown mode.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, when a user purchases or uses an electronic device such as a tablet or a mobile phone, the problem of standby time is often considered or faced. This standby time also often affects the user's willingness or willingness to use the electronic device. Therefore, the technical means of the present disclosure mainly lies in that the baseband communication chip is disposed in the electronic device, and the control mechanism of different modes can effectively reduce the power consumption of the communication chip, thereby prolonging the standby time of the electronic device. Further, when the CPU 130 detects (or senses) environmental parameters or user setting information through a detector (not shown in FIG. 1) or a sensor (not shown in FIG. 1), and determines When it is in a sleep mode, the central processing unit 130 transmits a control signal RS of a low voltage level to the control unit 110. Then, the control unit 110 transmits the first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR of the low voltage level to the communication chip 120 according to the voltage level of the received control signal RS, so that the communication chip 120 enters the sleep mode. In other words, the amount of current used by the communication chip 120 to receive the first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR is reduced, thereby increasing the standby time of the electronic device. In an embodiment, in the sleep mode, the communication chip 120 is configured to receive the first signal VCDT and The amount of current on the pin of the second signal CHR drops to at least 90%, for example, the original standby consumption is 60 mA to 1.8 mA.

On the other hand, when the central processing unit 130 detects (or senses) environmental parameters or user setting information through a detector or a sensor, and determines that it is in an off mode, the central processing unit The 130 turns the power signal PWR, which is originally at a high voltage level, to a low voltage level, and causes the low voltage level power signal PWR to continue for a first time interval. Then, the central processing unit 130 transmits the low level control signal RS to the control unit 110 in the first time interval, and causes the control unit 110 to transmit the low voltage level first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR to the communication chip 120. Thereby, the communication chip 120 is brought into the shutdown mode. It should be noted that the mechanism for triggering the communication chip 120 to enter the shutdown mode is that the communication chip 120 receives the low voltage level power signal PWR first, and then the communication chip 120 receives the low voltage in the first time interval. The first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR. Finally, the power signal PWR will transition from the low voltage level to the high voltage level. Therefore, the disclosure can enable the communication chip 120 to enter the shutdown mode through the control unit 110 when the electronic device is in the shutdown mode, thereby reducing the standby current of the communication chip 120 to extend the standby time of the electronic device. In an embodiment, in the shutdown mode, the amount of current used by the communication chip 120 to receive the first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR is reduced to almost no power consumption, for example, the original standby consumption is reduced to 60 milliamperes. 50 microamperes.

In the following various embodiments, portions different from the above-described embodiment of Fig. 1 will be described, and the remaining omitted portions are the same as those of the above-described embodiment of Fig. 1. In addition, for the sake of convenience, like reference numerals or numerals indicate similar elements.

[Another embodiment of a wireless communication module]

Please refer to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of a wireless communication module according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 1, the communication chip 120 further includes a power management unit 122. The power management unit 122 receives the first signal VCDT, the second signal CHR, and the power signal PWR to adjust the power consumption of the communication chip 120 for current control or power management on the entire communication chip 120. In addition, the control unit 110 includes a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, a third resistor R3, an N-type transistor N1, a fourth resistor R4, and a P-type transistor P1. One ends of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 are respectively connected to the power management unit 122, and the other ends of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 are connected to the drain of the P-type transistor P1, and one end of the third resistor R3 is connected to the central processing. The device 130 receives the control signal RS. The gate of the N-type transistor N1 is connected to the other end of the third resistor R3 to receive the control signal RS and thereby determine the on or off state, and the emitter of the N-type transistor N1 is connected to the ground voltage GND. One end of the fourth resistor R4 is connected to the drain of the N-type transistor N1, and the other end of the fourth resistor R4 is connected to the battery voltage VBA. The gate of the P-type transistor P1 is connected to the drain of the N-type transistor N1, the emitter of the P-type transistor P1 is connected to the battery voltage VBA, and the drain of the P-type transistor P1 is connected to one end of the first resistor R1, wherein the P-type The on or off state of the transistor P1 is the same as that of the N-type transistor N1.

The following is to further explain the working principle of the wireless communication module 100 of the embodiment of FIG. 2, and to explain in detail from the sleep mode and the shutdown mode to better understand the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, when the central processing unit 130 detects (or senses) environmental parameters or user setting information through a detector (not shown in FIG. 1) or a sensor (not shown in FIG. 1), and When it is determined that it is in the normal mode, the central processing unit 130 transmits a high voltage level control signal RS to the gate of the N-type transistor N1 to turn on the N-type transistor N1. Here, the N-type transistor N1 acts as a switch, and the N-type transistor N1 transmits the ground voltage GND of the low voltage level to the gate of the P-type transistor P1 to turn on the P-type transistor P1. Here, the P-type transistor P1 also plays the role of a switch, and the P-type transistor P1 transmits the battery voltage VBA of the high voltage level to the power management unit 122 in the communication chip 120, that is, the power management unit 122 receives The first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR to the high voltage level cause the communication chip 120 to enter the normal mode.

On the other hand, please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 at the same time. FIG. 3 is a driving waveform diagram of controlling a communication chip to enter a sleep mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the central processing unit 130 detects (or senses) environmental parameters or user setting information through the detector or the sensor, and determines that it is a sleep mode, the central processing unit 130 will be at time t11. The control signal RS of the low voltage level is transmitted to the gate of the N-type transistor N1 to turn off the N-type transistor N1. At this time, the gate of the P-type transistor P1 receives the battery voltage VBA of the high voltage level and is turned off accordingly. Then, the first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR are transitioned to a low voltage level, that is, the power management unit 122 receives the first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR of the low voltage level at time t11 to The communication chip 120 enters the sleep mode from the normal mode, thereby reducing the standby current of the communication chip 120 to extend the standby time of the electronic device. It should be noted that in the normal mode and the sleep mode, the power signal PWR always maintains a high voltage level.

Finally, please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 simultaneously. FIG. 4 is a driving waveform diagram of controlling the communication chip to enter the shutdown mode according to an embodiment of the invention. When the central processor 130 passes the detector or When the sensor detects (or senses) the environmental parameter or the user setting information, and determines that it is in the off mode, the central processor will switch the power signal PWR from the high voltage level to the time t21. The low voltage level is transmitted directly to the power management unit 122 within the communication chip 120, wherein the power signal is maintained at a low voltage level for a first time interval D1. Next, at time t22, the central processing unit 130 transmits a control signal RS of a low voltage level to the gate of the N-type transistor N1 to turn off the N-type transistor N1. At this time, the gate of the P-type transistor P1 receives the battery voltage VBA of the high voltage level and is turned off accordingly. Thereafter, the first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR are transitioned to a low voltage level, that is, the power management unit 122 receives the first signal VCDT and the second signal CHR of the low voltage level at time t22. Thereafter, at time t23, the central processing unit 130 transitions the power signal PWR from the low voltage level to the high voltage level and transmits it to the power management unit 122 in the communication chip 120 to cause the communication chip 120 to enter from the normal mode to the shutdown mode. In turn, the standby current of the communication chip 120 or the electronic device is reduced to extend the standby time of the electronic device. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the time t21 to the time t22 are the second time interval D2, and the time lengths of the first time interval D1 and the second time interval D2 can be designed by the designer as long as the first time interval D1 is greater than the first time interval The second time interval D2 can be.

In addition, in the disclosure, the designer can increase the upper limit of the acceptable voltage of the first signal VCDT by modifying the resistance value of the first resistor R1 and setting the value of the charge control register of the communication chip. For example, when the resistance value of the first resistor R1 is designed to be 150 kilo ohms from 330 kilo ohms and the value of the charge control register is adjusted, the determination of the first signal VCDT by the communication chip 120 can be effectively made normal. The upper limit of the acceptable voltage range of the signal VCDT can be increased from 0.74 volts to 1.110 volts. The large voltage range avoids malfunction of the communication chip 120, but is not limited to the set value of this embodiment.

[An embodiment of a power saving control method of a wireless communication module]

Please refer to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a power saving control method of a wireless communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary procedure flow described in this embodiment can be implemented by using the wireless communication module 100 as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, so please refer to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 for illustration and understanding. The power saving control method of the wireless communication module includes the following steps: detecting an environmental parameter or user setting information (step S510); determining a sleep mode or a shutdown mode according to the environmental parameter or the user setting information (step S520); The mode transmits the first and second signals of the low voltage level to the communication chip to reduce the current amount of the communication chip (step S530); when it is determined to be the shutdown mode, the power signal is turned to the low voltage level and The first time interval is continued, and then the first signal and the second signal are transitioned to a low voltage level in the first time interval, thereby causing the communication chip to enter the shutdown mode (step S540).

Details regarding the steps of the power saving control method of the wireless communication module have been described in detail in the above-described embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, and will not be described herein. It should be noted that the steps of the embodiment of FIG. 5 are merely for convenience of description, and the embodiments of the present invention do not use the steps of the steps as a limitation of implementing various embodiments of the present invention.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

100‧‧‧Wireless communication module

PWR‧‧‧ power signal

110‧‧‧Control unit

R1‧‧‧first resistance

120‧‧‧Communication chip

R2‧‧‧second resistance

130‧‧‧Central processor

RS‧‧‧ control signal

CHR‧‧‧second signal

VCDT‧‧‧ first signal

Claims (10)

A wireless communication module is connected to a central processing unit, the wireless communication module includes: a control unit that receives a control signal and outputs a first signal and a second signal according to the data, wherein the central processor is based on a sleep a control signal for transmitting different voltage levels in a mode or a shutdown mode; and a communication chip connecting the other end of the first and the second resistors and receiving the first signal and the second signal, the communication chip further Connecting to the central processing unit to receive a power signal, wherein the wireless communication module is built in an electronic device, wherein when the central processing unit detects an environmental parameter or a user setting information and determines the sleep mode, Transmitting the control signal of the low voltage level to the control unit, the control unit thereby transmitting the first signal and the second signal of the low voltage level to the communication chip, so that the communication chip enters the sleep mode, wherein When the central processing unit detects the environmental parameter or the user setting information and determines the shutdown mode, the power signal is turned to a low voltage level and held A first time interval, after which the central processing unit in the first time interval the first signal and the second signal is transited to a low voltage level, thereby to make the communication wafer enters the shutdown mode. The wireless communication module of claim 1, wherein in the shutdown mode, after the power signal transitions to a low voltage level and passes through a second time interval, the first and the second signal are turned State to low voltage level. The wireless communication module of claim 1, wherein the communication chip further comprises: a power management unit connected to the control unit, the communication chip receiving the first signal, the second through the power management unit And the power signal, thereby causing the communication chip to enter the sleep mode or the shutdown mode. The wireless communication module according to claim 1, wherein the control unit package a first resistor, one end of which is connected to the control unit; a second resistor, one end of which is connected to the control unit and one end of the first resistor; and a third resistor connected to the central processor at one end to receive the control a signal; an N-type transistor having a gate connected to the other end of the third resistor to receive the control signal and thereby determining an on or off state, wherein the emitter is connected to a ground voltage; and a fourth resistor is connected at one end thereof The drain of the N-type transistor is connected to a battery voltage at the other end; a P-type transistor having a gate connected to the drain of the N-type transistor, an emitter connected to the battery voltage, and a drain connected to the first One end of the resistor, wherein the P-type transistor is turned on or off in the same state as the N-type transistor, wherein when the control signal is at a high voltage level, the N-type transistor is turned on with the P-type transistor, Transmitting the first signal and the second signal of the high voltage level to the communication chip, wherein when the control signal is at a low voltage level, the N-type transistor and the P-type transistor are turned off, thereby transmitting The first signal of the low voltage level And the second signal is sent to the communication chip to reduce the amount of current of the communication chip. The wireless communication module of claim 1, wherein the acceptable value of the first signal is increased by modifying a resistance value of the first resistor and setting a value of a charge control register in the communication chip. range. A power saving control method for a wireless communication module, comprising: detecting an environmental parameter or a user setting information; determining a sleep mode or a shutdown mode according to the environmental parameter or the user setting information; when determining the sleep mode Transmitting the first and second signals of the low voltage level to a communication chip to reduce the amount of current of the wireless communication module; When it is determined that the shutdown mode is performed, the power signal is transitioned to a low voltage level for a first time interval, and the first signal and the second signal are converted to a low voltage during the first time interval. The level is thereby used to cause the communication chip to enter the shutdown mode. The power saving control method according to claim 6, wherein in the shutdown mode, after the power signal transitions to a low voltage level and passes through a second time interval, the first and second signals are turned State to low voltage level. The power saving control method according to claim 6, wherein the wireless communication module is built in an electronic device. The power saving control method of claim 6, wherein the wireless communication module comprises: a control unit, receiving a control signal and outputting a first signal and a second signal according to the first resistor; One end is connected to the control unit; a second resistor is connected at one end to the control unit and one end of the first resistor; and a communication chip is connected to the other end of the first and second resistors, and receives the first signal And the second signal, the communication chip is further connected to the central processor to receive a power signal. The power saving control method of claim 9, wherein the acceptable voltage of the first signal is increased by modifying a resistance value of the first resistor and setting a value of a charge control register in the communication chip. range.