Patent Application
20210128763
The technology described herein relates to water sanitation treatment devices and more particularly to a system and method for monitoring the status and performance of a water sanitation treatment device.
An advanced oxidation process (AOP) water treatment and sanitation system operates by exposing ozone in the water to germicidal UV light (UV-C) rays which produces hydroxyl radicals. Ozone may be generated by an ozone-producing element, sometimes referred to as an ozone generator cell or an ozone generating cell. When germicidal UV light and ozone react, the result is the production of hydroxyl radicals. Hydroxyl radicals have the highest oxidation potential of any residential application water sanitizer. The hydroxyl radicals produced by AOP are generally more powerful than chlorine and other known sanitizers, and generally more powerful than ozone alone. In AOP systems, the highly unstable hydroxyl radicals react with dissolved waterborne contaminants in a series of strong oxidation reactions to treat the water.
An AOP system relies on the generation of ozone and the exposure of the ozone to germicidal UV light. Over time, the performance of ozone generating cells and the UV lamps will diminish and will no longer be effective at treating the water. The UV lamps and ozone cells should be periodically replaced to maintain their effectiveness.
One problem with monitoring the performance of the ozone generating cells and the UV lamps is that they do not provide sufficient feedback to indicate that maintenance or replacement is due or past due. Performance of these components is difficult to judge visually, and the performance cannot be readily measured in the field. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a system and method to monitor these components and provide visual feedback to the user as to the useful service life and the effectiveness of the components.
Moreover, because AOP is relatively new to the recreational water industry (swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, splash pads, etc.), many industry professionals are not familiar with them, and as a result, the likelihood of installation errors may increase. Current AOP products do not provide sufficient feedback to indicate if there are installation issues, such as, for example, a wiring or a power issue. Therefore, it may also be advantageous to provide visual feedback of these installation issues to the user.
Various implementations of systems, methods and devices within the scope of the appended claims each have several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes described herein. Without limiting the scope of the appended claims, some prominent features are described herein.
Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following figures may not be drawn to scale.
One aspect of the disclosure provides a system for monitoring performance of a water sanitation device includes a housing having a water flow path, a power source, an ozone generating element configured to provide ozone to the water flow path, and an ultraviolet (UV) light generating element configured to expose the water in the flow path to UV light, a first monitoring circuit configured to monitor at least one operational aspect of the ultraviolet (UV) light generating element, a second monitoring circuit configured to monitor at least one operational aspect of the ozone generating element, a control circuit configured to receive an output of the first monitoring circuit and an output of the second monitoring circuit, and a display element configured to provide an indication of a status of at least one of the power source, the ultraviolet (UV) light generating element and the ozone generating element.
Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for monitoring performance of a water sanitation device including providing sensor data relating to an operational aspect of one or more of an ozone generating element and an ultraviolet (UV) light generating element to a controller, determining whether the sensor data indicates that a first threshold has been met, if the first threshold has been met, causing an illumination of a first indicator signifying that the first threshold has been met, determining whether the sensor data indicates that a second threshold has been met, if the second threshold has been met, causing an illumination of a second indicator signifying that the second threshold has been met, determining whether the sensor data indicates that a condition that caused the first threshold and the second threshold to be met has been removed, and if the sensor data indicates that the condition has not been removed, causing an illumination of a third indicator signifying that the condition has not been removed.
Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for monitoring performance of a water sanitation device including determining whether a fault in one or more of an incoming power level, an ultraviolet (UV) light generating element and an ozone generator cell exists, if a fault exists, causing an illumination of a first indicator signifying that the fault exists, and if the fault is remedied, ceasing the illumination of the first indicator.
In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise indicated. For reference numerals with letter character designations such as “102a” or “102b”, the letter character designations may differentiate two like parts or elements present in the same figure. Letter character designations for reference numerals may be omitted when it is intended that a reference numeral encompass all parts having the same reference numeral in all figures.
The following description, and the figures to which it refers, are provided for the purpose of describing examples and specific embodiments of the invention only and are not intended to exhaustively describe all possible examples and embodiments of the invention.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.
An AOP sanitizer generally performs at its peak when maintained at regular intervals for both the ozone generating cells and the UV lamps. Ozone generating cells should be cleaned or replaced periodically. The UV lamp (or lamps) should be replaced periodically and the quartz tube (or tubes) in which they are mounted should be cleaned periodically to ensure that sufficient UV light is transmitted through the tubes and into the water. Maintenance intervals are dependent upon the component manufacturer's ratings for effective service life. If the components are used beyond the effective service life, the performance of that component diminishes and the AOP sanitizer no longer effectively sanitizes the water. If used for a swimming pool, for example, there is no indication to the pool owner that the components are beyond their useful life, and the pool owner may be unknowingly operating an unsafe pool.
In the case of an ozone generating cell, there is no practical way to measure the amount of ozone produced, and the hydroxyl radical output resulting from the exposure of the ozone to UV light cannot be judged visually. Measuring the performance of the UV lamps and ozone generating cells individually requires expensive equipment, and cannot be done effectively in the field after installation. Therefore, indication on the water sanitizing product containing the ozone generating cells and the UV lamps is the only way to determine whether the water sanitizing product is effectively sanitizing the water.
A rear side of the indicator system 204, as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the indicator system 204 may comprise other types of indicators, such as, for example only, a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) configured to show the operational status of the above-described systems of the AOP system 100. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the indicator system 204 may comprise one or more of audible indicators, tactile indicators, or other indicators configured to convey the operational status of the above-described systems of the AOP system 100.
In an exemplary embodiment, the control circuit 420 may comprise a voltage sense element 422, a first current sense element 424 and a second current sense element 426. In an exemplary embodiment, the first current sense element 424 and the second current sense element 426 may be referred to as first and second monitoring circuits, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the voltage sense element 422 may be configured to sense one or more operational aspects of the incoming power distribution element 402, such as the voltage output on connection 403 and provide a signal output on connection 423 to a controller 430, the signal being indicative of the voltage output on connection 403.
In an exemplary embodiment, the first current sense element 424 may be configured to receive a signal over connection 405 from the UV light generating element 404, and provide a signal over connection 425 to the controller 430 that is indicative of one or more operational aspects of the UV light generating element 404. For example, the signal on connection 425 provided by the first current sense element 424 may be indicative of an installation status of the UV light generating element 404. In another example, the signal on connection 425 provided by the first current sense element 424 may be indicative of whether the UV light generating element 404 is operating under normal operating conditions.
In an exemplary embodiment, the second current sense element 426 may be configured to receive a signal over connection 407 from the ozone generator cell 406, and provide a signal over connection 427 to the controller 430 that is indicative of one or more operational aspects of the ozone generator cell 406. For example, the signal on connection 427 provided by the second current sense element 426 may be indicative of installation status of the ozone generator cell 406. In another example, the signal on connection 427 provided by the second current sense element 426 may be indicative of whether the ozone generator cell 406 is operating under normal operating conditions.
In an exemplary embodiment, the control circuit 420 also comprises a controller 430 operatively coupled to a memory 432 over connection 433. A power supply 438 may be coupled to the controller 430 over connection 441, to the memory 432 over connection 439 and to an indicator system 440 over connection 447. The controller 430 may be coupled to a timer 436 over connection 437. The memory 432 may include monitoring logic 435 containing instructions, software, firmware, code or other logic for performing the functions described herein.
In an exemplary embodiment, the memory 432 may be a discrete element such as that shown in
The controller 430 may be a microcontroller, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other processor or controller capable of executing the instructions in the memory 432 and in the monitoring logic 435.
Although shown as discrete elements, the controller 430, memory 432 and timer 436 may be implemented together in a single element. Further, the connections 433, 437 and 443 may be combined on a signal and/or logic bus. Similarly, although shown as a discrete element, an indicator system 440 may be incorporated or integrated with one or more elements on the control circuit 420.
The indicator system 440 may be coupled to the controller 430 over connection 443 and to the power supply 438 over connection 447. In an exemplary embodiment, the power supply 438 may be configured to provide an AC voltage or a DC voltage. In an exemplary embodiment, the power supply 438 may be part of or coupled to a solar power system.
In an exemplary embodiment, the indicator system 440 may be an example of the indicator system 204 of
The controller 430 may be configured to receive the output of the voltage sense element 422, the first current sense element 424 and the second current sense element 426, and process those outputs to determine one or more operational aspects or operating conditions of the incoming power distribution element 402, the UV light generating element 404 and the ozone generator cell 406. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the controller 430 may execute the monitoring logic 435 in the memory 432 and determine and store in the timer a total time of operation of one or more of the UV light generating element 404 and the ozone generator cell 406. The total time of operation may be determined by monitoring the total time that the output of one or more of the first current sense element 424 and the second current sense element 426 is maintained within a certain predefined range of current values. For example, if the current output of one or more of the first current sense element 424 and the second current sense element 426 remains within a predefined working current range, then the controller 430 will cause the timer 436 to run, and accumulate the total operating time of one or more of the UV light generating element 404 and the ozone generator cell 406. An example of a working current range for an ozone generator cell may be, for example, approximately 50 mA (milliamps) to approximately 500 mA. An example of a working current range for a UV light generating element may be, for example, approximately 250 mA to approximately 1.5 A. Other elements may have other operating current ranges, and the ones given here are for example purposes only. If the current range falls out of these exemplary ranges, then a fault may be registered and the time that the current falls out of these exemplary ranges would not be counted as operating time for that particular component. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 430 may then compare the total operating time for one or more of the UV light generating element 404 and the ozone generator cell 406 against one or more predetermined time periods, and when the one or more predetermined time periods are met or exceeded, the controller 430 can cause one or more LEDs 442 in the indicator system 440 to illuminate based on the detected condition.
In another exemplary embodiment, as will be described further herein, if the operating current remains within the operating current range, but is close to an edge or limit of the operating current range, then the controller 430 may be configured to generate an alert or warning that may be communicated to a user indicating that the component that is close to the edge or limit of the operating range may be operating inefficiently, or operating not as efficiently as desired.
The timer 436 may be a discrete element configured to monitor and maintain the operational time, or operating time, or total operating time, of one or more of the UV light generating element 404 and the ozone generator cell 406.
An example of the LED indicator condition based on the operational status of the AOP system 100 is shown in Table 1.
An AOP sanitizer benefits from maintenance at regular intervals for both the ozone generating cells 406 and the UV light generating elements 404. Ozone generating cells should be cleaned or replaced periodically. UV lamps in the UV light generating elements 404 should be replaced periodically and the quartz tubes in which they are located should be cleaned periodically to ensure that ample UV light is transmitted through the tubes and into the water. Maintenance intervals are dependent upon the component manufacturer's ratings for effective service life. If the components are used beyond their effective service life, the performance of that component diminishes and the AOP sanitizer may no longer effectively sanitize the water. If there is no indication to the pool owner that the components are beyond their service life, they may be unknowingly operating an unsafe pool.
It is generally impractical for a user to measure the amount of hydroxyl radicals produced by an AOP system 100, and the hydroxyl radical output cannot be judged visually. Measuring the performance of the UV lamps and ozone generating cells individually requires expensive equipment, and cannot be done effectively in the field after installation. Therefore, an indication on the product is the only way the pool owner can tell if the product is effectively sanitizing the water.
In an exemplary embodiment, an ozone generating cell is certified to have an effective life of approximately 30 months continuous use, and the UV lamps are certified to approximately 18 months continuous use. In an exemplary embodiment, the AOP system 100 described herein monitors and stores the total time that each component is in operation, that is, the “operating” or “on” time of the UV light generating element 404 and of the ozone generating cell 406 is monitored and stored by the controller 430, timer 436, memory 432 and monitoring logic 435. If the UV lamp or the ozone generating cell is not energized and not consuming a predetermined amount of current, in this example, then the monitoring logic 435 may consider that time as “non-operating” time and the monitoring logic 435 would not count that “non-operating” time toward the total life of the UV lamp or of the ozone generating cell. When one or more of the UV light generating element 404 and the ozone generating cell 406 reaches within a predetermined time (for example, 2 months) of its service life, the monitoring logic 435 causes the controller 430 to cause the indicator system 440 to change the indicator LED from, for example green, to, for example, yellow. Subsequently, if the UV light generating element 404 or the ozone generating cell 406 reaches the end of, or goes beyond its service life, the monitoring logic 435 causes the controller 430 to cause the indicator system 440 to change the indicator LED from, for example yellow, to, for example, red, signifying the end of the service life of that component. If the UV light generating element 404 or the ozone generating cell 406 is not replaced, the monitoring logic 435 causes the controller 430 to cause the indicator system 440 to change the indicator LED from, for example red, to, for example, blinking red, signifying that the end of life has been reached and the component has not been replaced.
By utilizing separate indicators for ozone and UV the monitoring logic 435 can indicate maintenance for each component individually.
After maintenance is completed, the user actuates the appropriate reset button 222, 224 located on the back of the door 216 of the AOP system 100. In this embodiment, there are two reset buttons—one for resetting the ozone generator cell monitoring function (reset button 222) and one for resetting the UV light generating element monitoring function (reset button 224). In a system with two or more UV light generating elements or two or more ozone generator cells, it is possible to have multiple individual reset buttons to correspond with each of the two or more UV light generating elements or two or more ozone generator cells. Pressing the reset button resets the timer 436 that monitors operation time for each component. The reset can occur after the applicable button is held down for an extended duration so as to avoid resetting with accidental contact. In another exemplary embodiment, the reset buttons may be recessed or use a special tool to activate or actuate.
The example current sense circuit 500 also includes a diode 506, a capacitor 508 and a diode 512. In a non-limiting example implementation, the diode 506 and the diode 512 may be implemented using Schottky diodes.
The example current sense circuit 500 also comprises a filter 520. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 520 comprises a resistor 522, a capacitor 524, a diode 526 and a capacitor 528. In an example implementation, the diode 536 may be a Zener (or voltage regulator) diode. The output of the filter 520 is provided to the resistor 532. In the example implementation shown in
The example current sense circuit 600 also includes a diode 606, a capacitor 608 and a diode 612. In a non-limiting example implementation, the diode 606 and the diode 612 may be implemented using Schottky diodes.
The example current sense circuit 600 also comprises a filter 620. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter 620 comprises a resistor 622, a capacitor 624, a diode 626 and a capacitor 628. In an example implementation, the diode 626 may be a Zener (or voltage regulator) diode. The output of the filter 620 is provided to the resistor 632. In the example implementation shown in
In addition to the elements described with regard to the electrical subsystem 400 shown in
The additional current sense element 764 can be configured to provide a signal indicative of the operational condition of the UV light generating element 754 to the controller 730 over connection 765; and the additional current sense element 766 can be configured to provide a signal indicative of the operational condition of the ozone generator cell 756 to the controller 730 over connection 767. In this manner, the control circuit 720 may be configured to individually monitor multiple UV light generating elements and multiple ozone generating cells.
In addition to the elements described with regard to the electrical subsystem 400 shown in
The additional current sense element 868 can be configured to provide a signal indicative of the operational condition of the salt chlorine generator element 858 to the controller 830 over connection 869. In this manner, the control circuit 820 may be configured to monitor a salt chlorine generator.
In an alternative exemplary embodiment that may be applicable to all embodiments of the control circuits of
In addition to the elements described with regard to the electrical subsystem 400 shown in
The additional current sense element 972 can be configured to provide a signal indicative of the operational condition of the pump 962 to the controller 930 over connection 973; and the additional current sense element 974 can be configured to provide a signal indicative of the operational condition of the light 964 to the controller 930 over connection 975. In this manner, the control circuit 920 may be configured to monitor a pump, a light, or other elements.
In an alternative exemplary embodiment that may be applicable to all embodiments of the control circuits of
In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical subsystem 900 may also comprise an external communication element 988 coupled to the controller 930 over connection 983. In an exemplary embodiment, the external communication element 988 may be a wired or a wireless communication device configured to provide communication access to and from the control circuit 920. If implemented as a wired communication element, the external communication element 988 may include a physical port and interface to communicate over a wired communication interface, such as, for example, a wired local area network (LAN), or a wired wide area network (WAN). If implemented as a wireless communication element, the external communication element 988 may be coupled to an antenna 992 over a connection 987 and may include circuitry to allow wireless radio frequency (RF) communication over short or long range wireless communication interfaces, such as, for example only, Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G, 4G, 5G, or other wireless communication interfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the external communication element 988 may be configured to communicate with a cellular phone and/or a home automation system. In an exemplary embodiment, the external communication element 988 may be configured to cooperate with other communication devices or elements to, for example, automatically order replacement parts when the AOP system 100 detects that a component is approaching the end of service life, or notify the user with a reminder to order the replacement parts for upcoming maintenance. In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 930 and the memory 932 may be configured to collect and store data relating to the performance of the components that are monitored by the electrical subsystem 900, or other embodiments of the electrical subsystems described herein. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the control circuit 920 can output data provided by the current sense circuits and collected by the controller 930 and memory 932 and provide this data as, for example, a report on each component's efficiency based on the current level collected across a given period of time (for example, if a component is running at the high end of the acceptable current range it may indicate that the components is not operating efficiently and the control circuit 920 can communicate this information to inform the user that the component is not operating at ideal efficiency). In an exemplary embodiment, this information may be communicated to a user by the eternal communicator 988 using, for example, one or more of a mobile application (an App) and may communicate using, for example, a WiFi or a Bluetooth communication link.
In block 1002, sensor data is provided to a controller. For example, a current sense element may obtain operational information related to a UV light generating element, an ozone generator cell, or another element, and provide a signal indicative of the operational information to a controller. An example of the operational information may be a total operating time of a UV light generating element, an ozone generator cell, or another element.
In block 1004 it is determined whether the sensor data meets a first threshold. For example, the sensor data relating to an operational aspect of a UV light generating element, an ozone generator cell, or another element may be compared against a first threshold. An example of a first threshold may be a preconfigured or a predetermined value relating to a maintenance time, or a service life time of a UV light generating element, an ozone generator cell, or another element. For example, a first threshold may be 16 months (or 11.5 k hours) for a UV light generating element and may be 28 months (or 20 k hours) for an ozone generator cell.
If it is determined in block 1004 that the sensor data does not meet the first threshold, then the process returns to block 1002.
If it is determined in block 1004 that the sensor data meets the first threshold, then, in block 1006, a first warning indicator may be provided. For example, if it is determined in block 1004 that a UV light generation element has been operating for 16 months (or about 11.5 k hours), then an LED (or other indicator) on the indicator system 204 may be changed from green to yellow. Similarly, for example, if it is determined in block 1004 that an ozone generator cell has been operating for 28 months (or about 20 k hours), then an LED (or other indicator) on the indicator system 204 may be changed from green to yellow.
In block 1007, it is determined whether the indicator in block 1006 has been reset. If it is determined in block 1007 that the indicator has been reset, then the process returns to block 1002. If it is determined in block 1007 that the indicator has not been reset, then the process proceeds to block 1008.
In block 1008, it is determined whether the sensor data meets a second threshold. For example, the sensor data relating to an operational aspect of a UV light generating element, an ozone generator cell, or another element may be compared against a second threshold. An example of a second threshold may be a maintenance time, or a service life time of a UV light generating element, an ozone generator cell, or another element. For example, a second threshold may be 18 months (or about 13 k hours) for a UV light generating element and may be 30 months (or about 21.5 k hours) for an ozone generator cell.
If it is determined in block 1008 that the sensor data does not meet the second threshold, then the process returns to block 1002.
If it is determined in block 1008 that the sensor data meets the second threshold, then, in block 1012, a second warning indicator may be provided. For example, if it is determined in block 1008 that a UV light generation element has been operating for 18 months (or about 13 k hours), then an LED (or other indicator) on the indicator system 204 may be changed from yellow to red. Similarly, for example, if it is determined in block 1008 that an ozone generator cell has been operating for 30 months (or about 21.5 k hours), then an LED (or other indicator) on the indicator system 204 may be changed from yellow to red.
In block 1013, it is determined whether the indicator in block 1012 has been reset. If it is determined in block 1013 that the indicator has been reset, then the process returns to block 1002. If it is determined in block 1013 that the indicator has not been reset, then the process proceeds to block 1014.
In block 1014, it is determined whether the element that caused the warning has been replaced. For example, it is determined in block 1014 whether a UV light generating element or an ozone generator cell has been replaced.
If it is determined in block 1014 that the element that caused the warning has been replaced, then the indicator can be reset in block 1018 and the process ends.
If it is determined in block 1014 that the element that caused the warning has not been replaced, then, in block 1016, a third warning indicator may be provided. For example, if it is determined in block 1014 that a UV light generation element has not been replaced after the second warning (block 1012), then an LED (or other indicator) on the indicator system 204 may be changed from red to blinking red. Similarly, for example, if it is determined in block 1014 that an ozone generator cell has not been replaced after the second warning (block 1012), then an LED (or other indicator) on the indicator system 204 may be changed from red to blinking red.
In block 1102, it is determined whether a fault is detected with one or more of the incoming power, UV light generating element or an ozone generator cell. An example of a fault may be an incoming voltage level that is outside of an acceptable voltage range, a connection or installation fault with a UV light generating element or an ozone generator cell, or other element, or any other anomaly that would cause an AOP system to not function correctly.
If it is determined in block 1102 that no fault is detected, then in block 1104, normal AOP operating continues.
If it is determined in block 1102 that a fault is detected, then in block 1106, an appropriate warning may be provided. For example, if an operating or installation fault is detected for incoming power, a UV light generating element, an ozone generator cell, or another element, then a corresponding LED (or other indicator) may be illuminated.
In block 1108, it is determined whether a faulty unit is operational. If it is determined in block 1108 that a faulty unit is not operational, then the process returns to block 1102.
If it is determined in block 1108 that a faulty unit is operational, then the process ends.
Although specifically described as current sense elements, other circuits, systems and methodologies may be implemented to determine the operation aspects of the UV light generating elements, ozone generator cells, and other electrical elements described herein. For example, a voltage sense element may be configured to monitor and determine the operation aspects of the UV light generating elements, ozone generator cells, and other electrical elements described herein.
It will be appreciated that the invention has been described above with reference to certain examples or preferred embodiments as shown in the drawings. Various additions, deletions, changes and alterations may be made to the above-described embodiments and examples without departing from the intended spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is intended that all such additions, deletions, changes and alterations be included within the scope of any claims in the resulting patent.
By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements may be implemented as a “processor” or a “processing system” that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoC), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system may execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.
Accordingly, in one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Non-transitory computer-readable media include computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media can comprise a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of the aforementioned types of computer-readable media, or any other medium that can be used to store computer executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.
The circuit architecture described herein may be implemented on one or more ICs, analog ICs, RFICs, mixed-signal ICs, ASICs, printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc. The circuit architecture described herein may also be fabricated with various IC process technologies such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-channel MOS (NMOS), P-channel MOS (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar-CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs), high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), silicon-on-insulator (SOI), etc.
An apparatus implementing the system and circuit(s) described herein may be a stand-alone device or may be part of a larger device. A device may be (i) a stand-alone IC, (ii) a set of one or more ICs that may include memory ICs for storing data and/or instructions, (iii) an RFIC such as an RF receiver (RFR) or an RF transmitter/receiver (RTR), (iv) an ASIC such as a mobile station modem (MSM), (v) a module that may be embedded within other devices, (vi) a receiver, cellular phone, wireless device, handset, or mobile unit, (vii) etc.
As used in this description, the terms “component,” “database,” “module,” “system,” and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device may be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution, and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components may execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems by way of the signal).
