Abstract:
A method is disclosed for controlling the operation of a low power radio platform that realizes the physical layer (PHY) with a software portion and an analog front end, the analog front end disposed between the DSP and an antenna, and realizes the MAC layer with a microcontroller unit (MCU). The DSP, analog front end and MCU are maintained in a low power mode of operation when not in data communication. When data communication is initiated, a hardware controller controls at least one hardware interface disposed between the DSP and the analog front end to initiate multiple time based tasks to transfer data to and from a buffer. During the execution of these tasks, the controller causes a task in the DSP to be initiated for processing of data in the buffers and, upon completion of at least one of the tasks, notifying the MCU of such. The controller controls the hardware interface to terminate operation when predetermined time based events have occurred. The MCU in at least one mode of operation thereof is operable to initiate the operation of the hardware controller and then convert to a low power mode of operation to await notification.