Patent ID: 8143967

Claim:
A method for matching an impedance of a first signal line of a signal path to an impedance of a first variable-impedance circuit element in an energy-saving manner using an impedance matching circuit electrically connected to an external circuit environment, the impedance matching circuit including a first matching network electrically connected to the first signal line and having an impedance that is regulated or controlled by a logic circuit electrically connected to the first matching network, and an algorithm implemented in the logic circuit for regulating and controlling the impedance of the first matching network and for monitoring control signals from the external circuit environment, the method comprising: causing the algorithm to always be active in a mode selected from at least two different active modes, wherein the at least two different active modes include a regulation mode for regulating the impedance of the first matching network, a control mode for controlling the impedance of the first matching network, or a monitoring mode for monitoring the control signals or any combination of the regulation mode, control mode, and the monitoring mode; changing the mode of the algorithm to a different one of the at least two different active modes at an interval of time, wherein the control signals are monitored in the monitoring mode to determine which of the at least two active modes the algorithm is in; controlling the impedance of the first matching network responsive to the mode of the algorithm being in the control mode; and setting the impedance of the first matching network to a defined value responsive to the mode of the algorithm being in the regulation mode.