Efficient control mechanism in distributed antenna modules

Abstract

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for wireless communication. In certain aspects, the apparatus generally includes a first interface configured to obtain, from a baseband module, a multiplexed signal comprising a control signal, a second interface configured to obtain a power signal, a radio frequency (RF) module, a regulator coupled to the second interface and configured to receive the power signal, and a circuit configured to provide the control signal to the regulator. In certain aspects, the regulator, in response to the control signal, may be configured to generate a supply voltage signal by regulating the power signal and provide the supply voltage signal to the RF module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for wireless communication, comprising:
 obtaining a multiplexed signal comprising a control signal;   obtaining a power signal;   generating a supply voltage signal, in response to obtaining the control signal, by regulating the power signal; and   providing the supply voltage signal to a radio-frequency (RF) module.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the multiplexed signal further comprises at least one of an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, a local-oscillator (LO) frequency signal, or an RF module control signal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the supply voltage signal is generated via a regulator, the method further comprising enabling the regulator via the control signal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the supply voltage signal is generated via a regulator, the method further comprising providing the control signal to the regulator via a bias-T circuit or a resistive element. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the bias-T circuit comprises a low-pass filter (LPF). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the multiplexed signal is obtained via a single transmission line. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the supply voltage signal is generated via a regulator, and wherein the RF module comprises an RF integrated circuit (RFIC), the method further comprising providing the control signal to the regulator via a circuit integrated in the RFIC. 
     
     
         8 . A method for wireless communication, comprising:
 generating a multiplexed signal having one or more signals to be provided to a radio-frequency (RF) module via one or more transmission lines; and   providing the multiplexed signal to the one or more transmission lines, the multiplexed signal comprising a control signal to enable a voltage regulator.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more signals comprises one or more of an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, a local-oscillator (LO) frequency signal, or an RF module control signal. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein generating the multiplexed signal comprises combining the control signal with the one or more signals. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the multiplexed signal is generated via a baseband integrated circuit (IC), wherein the control signal is combined with the one or more signals via a circuit, and wherein the circuit is integrated in the baseband IC. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the control signal is combined with the one or more signals via a bias-T circuit or a resistive element. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the bias-T circuit comprises a low-pass filter (LPF). 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more transmission lines comprises a single transmission line. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
 means for obtaining a multiplexed signal comprising a control signal;   means for obtaining a power signal;   means for generating a supply voltage signal, in response to obtaining the control signal, by regulating the power signal; and   means for providing the supply voltage signal to an RF module.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the multiplexed signal further comprises at least one of an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, a local-oscillator (LO) frequency signal, or an RF module control signal. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the supply voltage signal is generated via a regulator, the apparatus further comprising means for enabling the regulator via the control signal. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the supply voltage signal is generated via a regulator, the apparatus further comprising means for providing the control signal to the regulator via a bias-T circuit or a resistive element. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the bias-T circuit comprises a low-pass filter (LPF). 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the multiplexed signal is obtained via a single transmission line. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the supply voltage signal is generated via a regulator, and wherein the RF module comprises an RF integrated circuit (RFIC), the apparatus further comprising means for providing the control signal to the regulator via a circuit integrated in the RFIC. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
 means for generating a multiplexed signal having one or more signals to be provided to a radio-frequency (RF) module via one or more transmission lines; and   means for providing the multiplexed signal to the one or more transmission lines, the multiplexed signal comprising a control signal to enable a voltage regulator.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more signals comprises one or more of an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, a local-oscillator (LO) frequency signal, or an RF module control signal. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein generating the multiplexed signal comprises combining the control signal with the one or more signals. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the multiplexed signal is generated via a baseband integrated circuit (IC), wherein the control signal is combined with the one or more signals via a circuit, and wherein the circuit is integrated in the baseband IC. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the control signal is combined with the one or more signals via a bias-T circuit or a resistive element. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the bias-T circuit comprises a low-pass filter (LPF). 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more transmission lines comprises a single transmission line.