Method for transmitting a signal below a current transmit power in a network
View Patent ↗A transmitter includes a detection element to determine when a current power requirement of a communication link is less than the standard transmit power. The current power requirement may be determined by a current operation condition of the communication link, for instance. The transmit power of the transmitter may be set to be less than the standard power in any of a variety of ways. For example, a center tap voltage of the transmitter may be reduced. In another example, a class of operation of the transmitter may be changed. In yet another example, the transmitter may include a current mirror having a plurality of diode-connected transistors coupled in parallel, thereby reducing the current at output terminals of the transmitter. Reducing, the current at the output terminals decreases the output power of the transmitter, which may reduce the power consumed by the transmitter.
1. A method of operating a transmitter that is connected to a communication link, the communication link operating in accordance with a communication standard that defines a standard transmit power, comprising:
determining if a power requirement of the communication link is less than the standard transmit power, the power requirement determined based on a current operation condition of the communication link; and
controlling an amplifier, configured to amplify an output signal for transmission over the communication link, to reduce a power of the amplified output signal if the power requirement of the communication link is determined to be less than the standard transmit power.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
reducing a center tap voltage of a transformer, configured to provide an interface between the transmitter and the communication link, if the power requirement of the communication link is determined to be less than the standard transmit power.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein reducing the center tap voltage of the transformer comprises:
reducing the center tap voltage based on a voltage swing of the amplified output signal.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling the amplifier to reduce the power of the amplified output signal comprises:
reducing a current to a load of the amplifier.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling the amplifier to reduce the power of the amplified output signal comprises:
controlling a current mirror to reduce a current to a load of the amplifier.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling the amplifier to reduce the power of the amplified output signal comprises:
changing a class of operation of the amplifier.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current operation condition of the communication link is at least one of a length of the communication link, an attenuation characteristic of the communication link, and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) associated with the communication link.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining if the power requirement of the communication link is less than the standard transmit power comprises:
determining if a length of the communication link is less than a threshold value.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining if the power requirement of the communication link is less than the standard transmit power comprises:
determining if an attenuation characteristic of the communication link does not exceed a threshold value.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining if the power requirement of the communication link is less than the standard transmit power comprises:
determining if a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) associated with the communication link exceeds a threshold value.
11. A method of operating a transmitter that is connected to a communication link, the communication link operating in accordance with a communication standard that defines a standard transmit power, comprising:
determining if a power requirement of the communication link is less than the standard transmit power, the power requirement determined based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) associated with the communication link; and
controlling an amplifier, configured to amplify an output signal for transmission over the communication link, to reduce a power of the amplified output signal if the power requirement of the communication link is determined to be less than the standard transmit power.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
reducing a center tap voltage of a transformer if the power requirement of the communication link is less than the standard transmit power.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein reducing the center tap voltage of the transformer comprises:
reducing the center tap voltage based on a voltage swing of the amplified output signal.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein controlling the amplifier to reduce the power of the amplified output signal comprises:
reducing a current to a load of the amplifier.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein controlling the amplifier to reduce the power of the amplified output signal comprises:
changing a class of operation of the amplifier.
16. A method of operating a transmitter that is connected to a communication link, the communication link operating in accordance with a communication standard that defines a standard transmit power, comprising:
determining if a power requirement of the communication link is less than the standard transmit power, the power requirement determined based on a length of the communication link; and
controlling an amplifier, configured to amplify an output signal for transmission over the communication link, to reduce a power of the amplified output signal if the power requirement of the communication link is determined to be less than the standard transmit power.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
reducing a center tap voltage of a transformer if the power requirement of the communication link is less than the standard transmit power.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein reducing the center tap voltage of the transformer comprises:
reducing the center tap voltage based on a voltage swing of the amplified output signal.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein controlling the amplifier to reduce the power of the amplified output signal comprises:
reducing a current to a load of the amplifier.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein controlling the amplifier to reduce the power of the amplified output signal comprises:
changing a class of operation of the amplifier.