SUMMARY
UCLA researchers have developed a wireless transceiver architecture that consumes 10-100x less power on one side of the data-link while allowing a 100x improvement in either the data-rate or the transmission distance.
BACKGROUND
WiFi and WLAN technology both work extremely well in the mobile market despite the high power consumption of existing WiFi transceiver technology. But in order to generate the typical 100-250 mW required to send a WiFi signal, a device must consume roughly 1,000-2,500 mW. The small batteries required for many wearable products simply cannot support such high power levels. Therefore, the state-of-the-art power amplifiers operating at 10-15% efficiency are proving to be unsuitable for the emerging wearable devices market.
INNOVATION
UCLA researchers from the Department of Electrical Engineering have developed a data-link architecture that can consume a factor of 10-100x less power on one side of the data-link. The new architecture eliminates the need for a power amplifier in the transmitter chain within the transceiver on the wearable device side of the data-link. Additional enhancements were made to overcome the adverse effects of ambient carrier reflection, allowing for a 100x improvement in either the data-rate or the transmission distance.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
ADVANTAGES
STATE OF DEVELOPMENT
A prototype has been developed and lab tested.