power consumption

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

Hi,

I'm trying to compare the mini-pci in my laptop (an intel "Calexico
II" which is the oem put in gateway laptop, specs here:
http://tinyurl.com/679fj ) with another one i have sitting around my
house (the Netegriti a/b/g, specs here: http://tinyurl.com/6lsu3 )
wireless cards. I can't find a way to compare the power consumption
though, one is expressed as MA and one as watts. I have looked all
around the net, but no help. Can anyone here lend a hand?

thx,

dan

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

In article <o9lui0lcv94452nv7gjm8ilm6inokoonfh@4ax.com>,
Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us> wrote:
:The Mini-PCI card runs on 3.3 volts DC power.
: Watts = Volts * Amps
:In this case, just multiply the one expressed in MilliAmps times 3.3V
:to equal milliwatts.

A card that runs on 3.3 volts DC is supplied with 3.3V, but it does
not necessarily -use- all of that power. When it comes to radio
transmissions, it might only use a fraction of that power for
the transmittor, with whatever of the rest is used going into running
the dsp/cpu/prom/whatever . Thus 3.3 V * the milliamps rating
might give an unrealistically high power rating, perhaps even off by
an order of magnitude.
--
Live it up, rip it up, why so lazy?
Give it out, dish it out, let's go crazy, yeah!
-- Supertramp (The USENET Song)

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us> wrote in message news:<mkrui0l1527qreiuccg23tvogad672k9a1@4ax.com>...
> On 27 Aug 2004 16:14:59 GMT, roberson@ibd.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca (Walter
> Roberson) wrote:
>
> >In article <o9lui0lcv94452nv7gjm8ilm6inokoonfh@4ax.com>,
> >Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us> wrote:
> >:The Mini-PCI card runs on 3.3 volts DC power.
> >: Watts = Volts * Amps
> >:In this case, just multiply the one expressed in MilliAmps times 3.3V
> >:to equal milliwatts.
>
> >A card that runs on 3.3 volts DC is supplied with 3.3V, but it does
> >not necessarily -use- all of that power.
>
> I beg to differ. The ratings that were in question are the power
> consumption. Whether the radio turns the power into RF or smoke is of

> no concern. The power is consumed (assuming a constant 3.3vdc input
> voltage). If you look at the URL's previously posted, the power
> consumption specs are broken down into standby, rx, tx, power save,
> and such. Each has it's own power consumption level. With a constant
> DC input voltage (3.3VDC), you can express power consumption in either
> watts (milliwatts), or amps (milliamps).
>
> Also, your statement of "a card runs on 3.3 volts DC.....but does not
> necessarily -use- all of that power" is a misnomer. Power is measured
> in watts, not volts. Are you suggesting that the card does not use
> all that *VOLTAGE* or something similar? I hope not.
>
> Also, not the title of "Power Consumption". That's consumption, not
> power output.
>
> >When it comes to radio
> >transmissions, it might only use a fraction of that power for
> >the transmittor, with whatever of the rest is used going into running
> >the dsp/cpu/prom/whatever . Thus 3.3 V * the milliamps rating
> >might give an unrealistically high power rating, perhaps even off by
> >an order of magnitude.
>
> There was no question in the original posting relating to power
> efficiency or the method of regulation. As I read it, they were
> interested in how much DC power (watts) the two cards burned during
> normal operation in order to estimate or extend battery life.
Baiscly you hit it. Just wana know which uses more power