Communication apparatus and method of operation thereof

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a communication device comprising: an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit configured to establish a UWB communication channel with a first external communication device; a further communication unit configured to establish a further communication channel with a second external communication device; an antenna configured to be selectively used by the UWB communication unit and the further communication unit; wherein the UWB communication unit is operatively coupled to the further communication unit, and wherein the further communication unit is configured to grant the UWB communication unit access to the antenna in response to receiving a request from the UWB communication unit. This aspect represents a solution to how to help avoid the problem of UWB ranging round failing in coexistence systems.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication device. Further, the present disclosure relates to a corresponding method of operating a communication device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a technology that uses a high signal bandwidth, which is used, among others, to transmit digital data over a wide frequency spectrum with very low power. For example, the ultra-wideband technology can use a spectrum of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz and can have a high frequency bandwidth greater than 500 MHz and very short pulse signals, resulting in a high data rate. The UWB technology enables a communication device to have a high data throughput and enables device positioning with high accuracy. SUMMARY

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication device comprising: an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit configured to establish a UWB communication channel with a first external communication device; a further communication unit configured to establish a further communication channel with a second external communication device; an antenna configured to be selectively used by the UWB communication unit and the further communication unit; wherein the UWB communication unit is operatively coupled to the further communication unit, and wherein the further communication unit is configured to grant the UWB communication unit access to the antenna in response to receiving a request from the UWB communication unit. This aspect represents a solution to how to help avoid the problem of UWB ranging round failing in coexistence systems.

[0004] In one or more embodiments, the UWB communication unit is configured to transmit the request to the further communication unit after a predetermined number of failed UWB communication attempts. In one or more embodiments, the communication attempts comprise ranging operations performed by the first external communication device.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, the further communication unit is a Wi-Fi communication unit.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the communication device further comprises a processing unit configured to trigger the UWB communication unit to transmit the request to the further communication unit.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the further communication unit is configured to grant the UWB communication unit access to the antenna for a predetermined amount of time.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the UWB communication unit and the further communication unit are coupled to each other by a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) interface.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the further communication unit is configured to act as a master device to control the use of the antenna.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication device comprising: an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit configured to establish a UWB communication channel with a first external communication device; a further communication unit configured to establish a further communication channel with a second external communication device; a first antenna configured to be used by the UWB communication unit; and a second antenna configured to be used by the further communication unit, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna have a shared frequency spectrum; wherein the UWB communication unit is operatively coupled to the further communication unit, and wherein the further communication unit is configured to grant the UWB communication unit access to the shared frequency spectrum in response to receiving a request from the UWB communication unit. This aspect represents an alternative solution to how to help avoid the problem of UWB ranging round failing in coexistence systems.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is conceived a method of operating a communication device comprising: selectively using an antenna by an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit of the communication device and a further communication unit of the communication device; establishing, by the UWB communication unit, a UWB communication channel with a first external communication device if the antenna is used by the UWB communication unit; establishing, by the further communication unit, a further communication channel with a second external communication device if the antenna is used by the further communication unit; wherein the further communication unit grants the UWB communication unit access to the antenna in response to receiving a request from the UWB communication unit.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the UWB communication unit transmits the request to the further communication unit after a predetermined number of failed UWB communication attempts.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the communication attempt comprises a ranging operation performed by the first external communication device.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the further communication unit is a Wi-Fi communication unit.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, a processing unit of the communication device triggers the UWB communication unit to transmit the request to the further communication unit.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a communication device is conceived, comprising: sharing a frequency spectrum by a first antenna of an ultra-wideband, UWB, communication unit of the communication device and a second antenna of a further communication unit of the communication device; establishing, by the UWB communication unit, an UWB communication channel with a first external communication device if the first antenna is used by the UWB communication unit; establishing, by the further communication unit, a further communication channel with a second external communication device if the second antenna is used by the further communication unit; wherein the further communication unit grants the UWB communication unit access to the frequency spectrum in response to receiving a request from the UWB communication unit.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided, comprising executable instructions which, when executed by a communication device, perform any of the methods of the type set forth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 An example of a communication system is shown;

[0020] Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of a communication device is shown;

[0021] Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of a method of operating a communication device is shown;

[0022] Figure 4 Another exemplary embodiment of a communication device is shown;

[0023] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of a communication system is shown;

[0024] Figure 6 An exemplary embodiment of an UWB ranging round is shown;

[0025] Figure 7 An exemplary embodiment of a message flow is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Ultra-wideband (UWB) is a technology that uses a high signal bandwidth, which is used, among others, to transmit digital data on a wide frequency spectrum with very low power. For example, ultra-wideband technology can use a frequency spectrum of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz and can have a high frequency bandwidth greater than 500 MHz and very short pulse signals, resulting in a high data rate. UWB technology enables communication devices to have a high data throughput and enables device positioning with high accuracy.

[0027] A UWB communication unit can be integrated into a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone. In this case, the UWB communication unit can be used to perform a ranging operation with another UWB communication unit. The latter can e.g. be integrated into an object to be unlocked, e.g. a door, a transit gate or a vehicle. In this case, access to the vehicle can be granted if the user carrying the mobile device approaches the vehicle in the desired manner, i.e. by moving in the desired manner. In order to communicate with the other UWB communication unit, the UWB communication unit should have access to the antenna of the mobile device. In order to save space and cost, this antenna can be a shared antenna, e.g. an antenna shared with another communication unit of the mobile device, e.g. a Wi-Fi communication unit, i.e. a wireless local area network communication unit. This can be referred to as a coexistence scenario. In this scenario, the other communication unit typically controls the use of the antenna, in a sense it acts as master device, while the UWB communication unit acts as slave device.

[0028] Figure 1 An example of a communication system 100 in which this shared antenna is used is shown. The communication system 100 comprises a mobile phone 102 carried by a user, which performs a UWB ranging operation with a car 104. For this purpose, both the mobile phone 102 and the car 104 contain a UWB communication unit (not shown in the figure). More specifically, the mobile phone 102 performs a ranging operation typically in conjunction with a plurality of so-called anchor nodes in the car 104, each of which contains a UWB communication unit of the type set forth. The UWB communication unit of the mobile phone 102 shares the antenna with the Wi-Fi communication unit of the mobile phone 102. When the mobile phone 102 is located at a distance of about 2 meters from the car 104, a first ranging round (RR) is performed. This ranging round is successfully performed. However, the next ranging rounds, which are performed at a distance of 1.5 meters, 1 meter and 0.5 meters, respectively, from the vehicle 104, fail as a result of the fact that the mobile phone 102 performs a Wi-Fi communication session, the consequence of which is that the UWB communication unit of the phone cannot use the shared antenna. As a result, access to the car 104 will not be granted, which will have a negative impact on the user experience. Furthermore, since the first ranging round was successful, but the next ranging rounds failed, no confirmation is given to the car 104 that the user approached the car 104 correctly. In this case, a security module within the car 104 can e.g. infer a malicious intent, such that access to the car 104 will be prevented for a predetermined amount of time. This likewise has a negative impact on the user experience.

[0029] In a specific example, a UWB device and a Wi-fi 6GHz (WLAN) device can share the same antenna in a coexistence system to save space and cost. In this system, the WLAN device usually acts as the master and decides the priority of occupying the antenna. However, the reliability of UWB ranging and UWB user experience should not be compromised because UWB ranging is inherently more real-time compared to Wi-Fi system which is based on best effort protocol. Unfortunately, UWB ranging round can fail and result in bad user experience when the WLAN device acts as the master.

[0030] Now discussed is a communication device and a corresponding method of operating a communication device which helps to avoid the case that a UWB ranging round fails in a coexistence system of the kind set forth.

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic embodiment of a communication device 200 is shown. The communication device 200 comprises a UWB communication unit 202, a further communication unit 204 and a shared antenna 206. The UWB communication unit 202 is configured to establish a UWB communication channel with a first external communication device (not shown in the figure). The further communication unit 204 is configured to establish a further communication channel with a second external communication device (not shown in the figure). Further, the antenna 206 is configured to be selectively used by the UWB communication unit 202 and the further communication unit 204. Further, the UWB communication unit 202 is operatively coupled to the further communication unit 204, wherein the further communication unit 204 is configured to grant the UWB communication unit 202 access to the antenna in response to receiving a request from the UWB communication unit 202. In this way, the UWB communication unit 202 can indicate to the further communication unit that e.g. a high priority ranging operation should be performed and the further communication unit 204 can allow the UWB communication unit 202 to use the antenna in response thereto. This in turn helps to avoid the case that a UWB ranging round fails in a coexistence system sharing an antenna.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the UWB communication unit 202 is configured to transmit the request to the further communication unit 204 after a predetermined number of failed UWB communication attempts, e.g. 3 or more failed UWB communication attempts. In this way, the communication established by the further communication unit 204 does not need to be interrupted before the predetermined number of UWB communication attempts fails. This in turn can prevent the performance of the further communication unit 204 from being negatively affected. In one or more embodiments, the communication attempts comprise ranging operations performed by the first external communication device. Thus, in this way, the UWB communication unit 202 can indicate to the further communication unit 204 that priority should be given to UWB communication in a feasible manner. In a feasible implementation, the further communication unit 204 is a Wi-Fi communication unit. In this case, the antenna 206 can easily be shared. Note that the further communication unit can also be another type of communication unit, e.g. a cellular communication unit or a Bluetooth communication unit.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the communication device 200 additionally comprises a processing unit configured to trigger the UWB communication unit 202 to transmit the request to the further communication unit 204. For example, the processing unit can be an application processor configured to execute a car access application, which uses UWB ranging data received by the UWB communication unit 202 as input to determine whether access should be granted or not. In this case, the processing unit can have more knowledge about the priority of the UWB ranging operations being performed and can thus better decide to send the aforementioned request. In one or more embodiments, the further communication unit 204 is configured to allow the UWB communication unit 202 to access the antenna for a predetermined amount of time. For example, the predetermined amount of time can be a multiple of 10 milliseconds. In this way, it can for example be ensured that the UWB communication unit 202 can properly perform one or more UWB ranging operations. The amount of time can for example be configured depending on the application executed by the communication device 200, e.g. the car access application mentioned earlier.

[0034] In a feasible implementation, the UWB communication unit 202 and the further communication unit 204 are coupled to each other by a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) interface. Thereby, interaction between the UWB communication unit 202 and the further communication unit 204 is facilitated. Furthermore, in a feasible implementation, the further communication unit 204 is configured to act as a master device to control the use of the antenna 206. In this way, the further communication unit 204 can keep control over the use of the antenna 206 and for example ensure that a communication session performed by the further communication unit 204 is not negatively affected.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment of the communication device (not shown in the figures), the device comprises a UWB communication unit configured to establish a UWB communication channel with a first external communication device, a further communication unit configured to establish a further communication channel with a second external communication device, a first antenna configured to be used by the UWB communication unit, and a second antenna configured to be used by the further communication unit, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna have a shared frequency spectrum. In this alternative embodiment, the UWB communication unit is also operatively coupled to the further communication unit, and the further communication unit is configured to grant the UWB communication unit access to the shared frequency spectrum in response to receiving a request from the UWB communication unit. This embodiment represents an alternative solution to how to help avoid the problem of UWB ranging rounds failing in a coexistence system. In this coexistence system, the antennas are not shared antennas, but separate antennas are used by the UWB communication unit and the further communication unit. However, since these antennas use a shared frequency spectrum, UWB ranging rounds can fail due to transmissions by the further communication unit in the shared frequency spectrum. Since the further communication unit is configured to grant access to the shared frequency spectrum, such conflicts can be more easily avoided.

[0036] Figure 3 A schematic embodiment of a method 300 of a communication device of the kind set forth is shown. The method 300 comprises the following steps. At 302, an antenna of the communication device is selectively used by a UWB communication unit of the communication device and a further communication unit of the communication device. At 304, if the antenna is used by the UWB communication unit, a UWB communication channel is established by the UWB communication unit with a first external communication device. Further, at 306, if the antenna is used by the further communication unit, the further communication unit establishes a further communication channel with a second external communication device, wherein the further communication unit allows the UWB communication unit to access the antenna in response to receiving a request from the UWB communication unit. In this way, the UWB communication unit can indicate to the further communication unit, e.g., that a high-priority ranging operation should be performed, and the further communication unit can allow the UWB communication unit to use the antenna in response thereto. This in turn helps to avoid the situation that UWB ranging rounds fail in a coexistence system of shared antennas. Note that the method 300 can be implemented at least partly as a computer program.

[0037] Figure 4Another exemplary embodiment of a communication device 400 is shown. The communication device 400 includes a UWB communication unit 402, a WLAN communication unit 404, a shared antenna or shared spectrum 406, and an application processor 408. The UWB communication unit 402 and the WLAN communication unit 404 are coupled to each other through a UART interface. Through the interface, the UWB communication unit 402 can transmit a request to use, for example, the shared antenna 408 to the WLAN communication unit 404. The WLAN communication unit 404 can grant the request and notify the UWB communication unit 402 accordingly through the same interface. The communication between the UWB communication unit 402 and the WLAN communication unit 404 can be half-duplex in nature. In addition, the WLAN communication unit 404 can, for example, control an RF switch (not shown) to enable use of the antenna by the UWB communication unit 402 or to release control of the RF switch in a manner that the UWB communication unit 402 can temporarily control use of the antenna.

[0038] Thus, by sending a request to use the shared medium (i.e., the shared antenna or shared spectrum 406), the UWB communication unit 402 can make the WLAN communication unit 404 aware of a high priority need to use the shared medium. In addition, the application processor 408 can configure a maximum number of consecutive failed ranging rounds for a UWB ranging session, which can be accepted as an allowable limit for a given use case. Then, once the allowable limit is reached, the UWB communication unit 402 can request the WLAN communication unit 404 to grant use of the shared medium. Although the WLAN communication unit 404 can still control use of the shared medium, this request should not be denied or only denied in very special circumstances when the ongoing WLAN communication is more critical than the UWB ranging round. Thus, the WLAN communication unit 404 should ensure that for important UWB use cases, the shared medium (i.e., the antenna or spectrum 406) is made available on time. To facilitate this, the UWB communication unit 402 can make different types of requests, such as a critical priority request and a normal priority request. In this case, the WLAN communication unit 404 can be configured in such a way that critical priority requests are never denied, while normal priority requests can be denied if the WLAN communication unit 404 is performing a high priority communication task.

[0039] Examples of different types of requests that can be made in accordance with the present disclosure will now be described. In the case of a critical priority request, the request can be made in advance and a "grant duration" can be specified in milliseconds. This duration can be the minimum time needed to complete a UWB ranging round. Once the request is made, the WLAN communication unit 404 should grant the UWB communication unit 402 access and should not take back control from the UWB communication unit 402 until the grant duration expires. For example, in the case of using a shared antenna, the WLAN communication unit 404 can give temporary control of the RF switch to the UWB communication unit 402. In the case of a normal priority request, the request can also be made in advance and a "grant duration" can be specified in milliseconds. The WLAN communication unit 404 can acknowledge the grant request and grant access to the shared antenna or shared spectrum 406, but can not grant the request with priority every time, thus allowing this application to facilitate certain critical WLAN use cases.

[0040] A UWB session can be programmed or configured in this way: to include an indication of the criticality of the session. For example, a flag can determine whether a particular session is a critical session or a non-critical session. In the former case, the UWB communication unit 402 can transmit a critical priority request for use of the antenna or spectrum 406, while in the latter case, the UWB communication unit 402 can transmit a normal priority request. For a normal priority request, a limit of tolerance for consecutive failed ranging rounds can be specified. When this limit of tolerance is reached, the UWB communication unit 402 can transmit a critical priority request instead of a normal priority request to ensure that the UWB session can be completed (e.g., to avoid the UWB communication counterpart to go into a power down state or to prevent the system from issuing a false security breach alert).

[0041] In the case of using a shared spectrum, the UWB communication unit 402 can transmit a request to use the shared spectrum to the WLAN communication unit 404. The WLAN communication unit 404 can grant the request and notify the UWB communication unit 402 accordingly through the same interface. As mentioned above, the communication between the UWB communication unit 402 and the WLAN communication unit 404 can be half-duplex in nature. Furthermore, the WLAN communication unit 404 can refrain from using its antenna for data transmission, for example, for the period of time that it has given the UWB communication unit 402 access to the shared spectrum, to avoid interference when the UWB communication unit 402 uses its antenna to perform ranging operations. Thus, in this embodiment, the WLAN communication 404 can signal to the UWB communication unit 402 that the latter can use the shared spectrum for the period of time requested by the UWB communication 402 and at the same time mark this period of time as an inactive transmission period for its own operations.

[0042] Figure 5 An illustrative embodiment of a communication system 500 is shown. In particular, Figure 5 An example of a communication system 500 in which a shared antenna is used is shown. The communication system 500 comprises a mobile phone 502 carried by a user which performs UWB ranging operations with a car 504. To this end, both the mobile phone 502 and the car 504 contain a UWB communication unit (not shown in the figure). More specifically, the mobile phone 502 performs ranging operations with a plurality of anchor nodes in the car 504, each of which contains a UWB communication unit of the type set forth. The UWB communication unit of the mobile phone 502 shares an antenna with the Wi-Fi communication unit of the mobile phone 502. When the mobile phone 102 is located at a distance of about 2 meters from the car 104, a first ranging round (RR) is performed. This ranging round is successfully performed. However, because a Wi-Fi communication session is performed by the mobile phone 502, the result of which is that the UWB communication unit of the phone cannot use the shared antenna, the next ranging round performed at a distance of 1.5 meters fails. In accordance with the present disclosure, the UWB communication unit of the phone 502 transmits a critical priority request for key antenna usage to the Wi-Fi communication unit of the phone 502. Then, when the UWB communication unit is granted access to the shared antenna, it can successfully perform the next ranging round at a distance of 0.5 meters from the car 504. In this case, based on the successful ranging rounds performed at a distance of 2 meters and 0.5 meters from the car 504, respectively, the car access application can still grant the phone 502 access to the car 504.

[0043] As mentioned above, the UWB communication unit can make different types of requests, such as critical priority requests and normal priority requests. This applies both to embodiments in which a shared antenna is used, and to embodiments in which the UWB communication unit and the WLAN communication unit use separate antennas with shared spectrum. The different types of requests can be implemented, for example, as described below.

[0044] The priority request can be seen as a control message which specifies a predetermined grant duration. In particular, two parameters can be used: a pre-grant duration and an active grant duration. The pre-grant duration can specify the time in milliseconds which elapses between the time of the request and the time at which the UWB communication unit should have access to the shared medium (i.e. the shared antenna or the shared spectrum). This pre-grant duration parameter can be used as a preparation for the WLAN communication unit to relinquish the shared medium. In other words, the WLAN communication can receive an indication of the amount of time which is still available for completing its own operations. The active grant duration parameter can specify the time in milliseconds which the UWB communication unit needs for performing its operations. For example, the active grant duration can be based on the expected duration of one or more ranging operations, and a margin for considering delays which occur when performing said ranging operations.

[0045] Further, the critical priority request can be a request that should always be granted by the WLAN communication unit, while the normal priority request can be a request that can be denied by the WLAN communication unit. In addition, if such a normal priority request is denied a predetermined number of times (e.g., 3 or more times), the UWB communication unit can subsequently send a critical priority request that cannot be denied. In this way, a balance between the performance of the UWB communication unit and the performance of the WLAN communication unit can be achieved.

[0046] In an example, the type of control message set forth can include a two-byte payload structure as shown in Table 1. In this case, the first byte (byte 0) can be used as a message header including a message type [MT] field (bits 6-3) and a control / data field (bits 2-0), and the second byte (byte 1) can be used to carry a data payload. Further, bit 7 of the second byte (byte 1) can indicate whether a next byte follows. The message type field can carry control content and data content, where for example the control content should be responded to within 10 milliseconds. The data content can have a critical response time, but the UWB communication unit should not issue a new control message without receiving a response to the current control message.

[0047]

[0048]

[0049] Table 1

[0050] Figure 6 An exemplary embodiment of a UWB ranging round 600 is shown. The ranging round 600 includes a plurality of ranging operations between a UWB communication unit of the type set forth and a plurality of external responder nodes. In accordance with the present disclosure, the UWB ranging round can be performed in a time period whose duration corresponds to an active grant duration parameter value. Further, prior to performing the UWB ranging round 600, another time period whose duration corresponds to a pre-grant duration parameter value can have elapsed. In the present example, the ranging round 600 includes ranging operations with 8 different responder nodes (i.e., anchor points), each sending a response to a polling message sent by the UWB communication unit. Further, a measurement reporting phase is initiated for each responder node. The UWB ranging round 600 time period can be divided into time slots of 2 milliseconds in duration, resulting in a total ranging round duration of 40 milliseconds.

[0051] An example of a grant request is shown in Table 2. This request is transmitted from the UWB communication unit to the WLAN communication unit, for example, over the UART interface shown. Figure 4

[0052] ​

[0053]

[0054] Table 2

[0055] The UWB communication unit can be configured to send a grant request in advance, i.e., before it will initiate a ranging round. The amount of time between the request and the expected occupation of the shared medium (e.g., the start of the ranging round) can be specified by the advance grant duration parameter, the value of which is specified by bits 2-0 of the first byte (byte 0). The advance grant duration parameter helps to ensure that the WLAN communication unit can complete its ongoing operation before the shared medium is granted access. The priority of the grant request is specified in bit 0 of the transmission message. If the request is completed with normal priority, the WLAN communication unit can choose to respond with a reject code in the event that it is unable to complete or abort its ongoing operation. However, if the request is completed with critical priority, the WLAN communication unit responds with an accept code and should yield the shared medium to the UWB communication unit. Note that a tolerance limit can be set for consecutive rejected grant requests with normal priority. When this tolerance limit is reached, the UWB communication unit will send a grant request with critical priority. For example, the tolerance limit can be at least 3 counts. The active grant duration is specified in bits 5-0 of the second byte (byte 1) of the transmission message. Note that the UWB communication unit can set a UART interrupt condition to indicate the use of the shared medium; in this state, the UWB communication unit can receive messages from the WLAN communication unit.

[0056] An example of a grant response is shown in Table 3. This request is transmitted from the WLAN communication unit to the UWB communication unit, for example, through the UART interface shown in Figure 4

[0057] Table 3

[0058]

[0059] ​The grant response is an indication of the UWB communication unit's use of the shared medium. If no grant response is received within a period of, for example, 10 milliseconds, the UWB communication unit can assume that the shared medium is available. The WLAN communication unit can deny normal priority requests, but should accept critical priority requests, such that the WLAN communication unit can have to refrain from performing operations until the UWB communication unit has completed its active ranging round. As mentioned, in this way, a balance can be achieved between the performance of the UWB communication unit and the performance of the WLAN communication unit. Note that if the UWB communication unit does not receive a UART interrupt condition within 10 milliseconds, the UWB communication unit can set the UART interrupt condition and begin performing a ranging round within the period specified by the pre-grant duration parameter. If a grant response with a denial code is received in response to a normal priority request while the UWB communication unit is performing a ranging round, the UWB communication unit can have to abort the ranging round and send another grant request (i.e., a grant request with critical priority). In this scenario, the UWB communication unit can have to abort the ranging round within 10 milliseconds of receiving the grant response with the denial code. Further, note that the WLAN communication unit can have to ensure that a grant response with a denial code is not sent in response to a normal priority request after the period specified by the pre-grant duration parameter expires. In this scenario, when a grant response is received within the period specified by the active grant duration parameter, the UWB communication unit can then ignore the response and continue its ongoing ranging round. However, in this case, the integrity of the ranging round can be negatively affected - because a data transmission by the WLAN communication unit can interfere with it - and thus the UWB communication unit can report a fault with an appropriate error code to the application processor. Note that, in contrast to control messages, data messages do not have a critical response time. Specifically, if a data message transmission is not received within a previously agreed upon time frame, the data message transmission can be retried.

[0060] Figure 7 An illustrative embodiment of a message flow 700 is shown. Specifically, a message flow between a UWB communication unit 702 and a WLAN communication unit 704 of the type set forth is shown. Note that the UWB communication unit 702 and the WLAN communication unit 704 can remain in an active state. Specifically, Figure 7It is shown that the grant request and grant response can follow a regular sequence of operations. From an application perspective, a particular UWB session can be programmed in advance to be assigned a criticality level. Thus, UWB sessions can be classified as critical sessions and normal sessions. In this case, a critical session can always precede a critical priority request from a UWB communication unit, while a normal session can precede one or more normal priority requests. In the latter case, the aforementioned tolerance limit can be set. When the tolerance limit is reached, the UWB communication unit can send an intermediate grant request with critical priority to ensure the survival of the UWB session, e.g., to avoid the responder node entering a deep power down state or to prevent the system from falsely detecting a security attack.

[0061] The systems and methods described herein can be implemented, at least in part, by one computer program or multiple computer programs, which can exist in a single computer system or across multiple computer systems in active and inactive states in a variety of forms. For example, the computer programs can exist as software programs comprised of program instructions encoded on a computer-readable medium that includes storage devices and signals. Any of the above formats can be implemented in compressed or uncompressed form.

[0062] As used herein, the term "computer" refers to any electronic device that includes a processor, such as a general purpose central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific processor, or a microcontroller. A computer is capable of receiving data (input), of performing a series of predetermined operations on the data, and of producing a result in the form of information or a signal (output). Depending on the context, the term "computer" will specifically refer to the processor or more generally to the combination of the processor and related elements housed within a single chassis or housing.

[0063] The term "processor" or "processing unit" refers to a data processing circuit, which can be a microprocessor, a coprocessor, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a central processing unit, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic circuit, and / or any circuit that controls signals (analog or digital) based on operating instructions stored in a memory. The term "memory" refers to one memory circuit or multiple memory circuits, such as read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and / or any circuit that stores digital information.

[0064] As used herein, a "computer-readable medium" or "storage medium" can be any means that can store, communicate, propagate, or transport a computer program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer-readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium can include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Blu-ray disc (BD), and a memory stick.

[0065] It should be noted that the above described embodiments have been described with reference to different subject matters. In particular, some embodiments can have been described with reference to method claims whereas other embodiments can have been described with reference to device claims. However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above description and the claims that, unless otherwise indicated, any aspect or feature described as a part of one subject matter also can be regarded as a part of another subject matter. For example, any method aspect described above also can be regarded as a device aspect and vice versa.

[0066] Moreover, it is noted that the drawings can not be to scale and that details of the drawings can have been omitted for the purpose of clarity. Like reference numerals may

[0067] Finally, it should be noted that a person skilled in the art should be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in the claims. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Measures recited in the claims as being implemented by means of hardware and / or software can be implemented by means of hardware and / or software. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0068] List of reference signs

[0069] 100 communication system

[0070] 102 mobile phone

[0071] 104 car

[0072] 200 communication device

[0073] 202 UWB communication unit

[0074] 204 further communication unit

[0075] 206 shared antenna

[0076] 300 method of operating a communication device

[0077] 302 selectively using an antenna by a UWB communication unit of the communication device and a further communication unit of the communication device

[0078] 304 establishing a UWB communication channel by the UWB communication unit with a first external communication device if the antenna is used by the UWB communication unit

[0079] 306 establishing a further communication channel by the further communication unit with a second external communication device if the antenna is used by the further communication unit, wherein the further communication unit allows the UWB communication unit to access said antenna in response to receiving a request from the UWB communication unit

[0080] 400 communication device

[0081] 402 UWB communication unit

[0082] 404 WLAN communication unit

[0083] 406 shared antenna / shared spectrum

[0084] 408 application processor

[0085] 500 communication system

[0086] 502 telephone

[0087] 504 car

[0088] 600 UWB ranging round

[0089] 700 message flow

[0090] 702 UWB communication unit

[0091] 704 WLAN communication unit

Claims

1. A communication device, characterized in that, include: An ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit configured to establish a UWB communication channel with a first external communication device; The additional communication unit is configured to establish an additional communication channel with the second external communication device; The antenna is configured to be used selectively by the UWB communication unit and the additional communication unit; The UWB communication unit is operatively coupled to the additional communication unit, and the additional communication unit is configured to grant the UWB communication unit access to the antenna in response to receiving a critical priority request from the UWB communication unit. The UWB communication unit is configured to transmit the critical priority request to the other communication unit after a predetermined number of failed normal priority communication attempts, wherein the critical priority request is not rejected after the normal priority communication attempts fail. Furthermore, the critical priority request is made using a critical priority request message sent from the UWB communication unit to the other communication unit. The critical priority request for access to the antenna by the UWB communication device has a predetermined grant duration parameter bit field and an active grant duration parameter bit field. The predetermined grant duration parameter bit field specifies the time elapsed between the time of the request and the time the UWB communication unit receives the access to the antenna. The active grant duration parameter bit field specifies the amount of time required for the UWB communication unit to complete a ranging round, which includes multiple ranging operations between the UWB communication unit and multiple external responder nodes.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes a processing unit configured to trigger the UWB communication unit to transmit the critical priority request to the additional communication unit.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The additional communication unit is configured to allow the UWB communication unit to access the antenna within a predetermined time period.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The UWB communication unit and the other communication unit are coupled to each other via a Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART) interface.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The additional communication unit is configured to act as a master device to control the use of the antenna.

6. A communication device, characterized in that, include: An ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit configured to establish a UWB communication channel with a first external communication device; The additional communication unit is configured to establish an additional communication channel with the second external communication device; A first antenna, configured for use by the UWB communication unit; and a second antenna, configured for use by the additional communication unit, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna share a spectrum; The UWB communication unit is operatively coupled to the additional communication unit, and the additional communication unit is configured to grant the UWB communication unit access to the shared spectrum in response to receiving a critical priority request from the UWB communication unit. The UWB communication unit is configured to transmit the critical priority request to the other communication unit after a predetermined number of failed normal priority UWB communication attempts, wherein the critical priority request is not rejected after the normal priority communication attempts fail. Furthermore, the critical priority request is made using a critical priority request message sent from the UWB communication unit to the other communication unit. The critical priority request for access to the shared spectrum by the UWB communication device has a predetermined grant duration parameter bit field and an active grant duration parameter bit field. The predetermined grant duration parameter bit field specifies the time elapsed between the time of the request and the time the UWB communication unit receives access to the shared spectrum. The active grant duration parameter bit field specifies the amount of time required for the UWB communication unit to complete a ranging round, which includes multiple ranging operations between the UWB communication unit and multiple external responder nodes.

7. A method for operating a communication device, characterized in that, include: Antennas are selectively used through the ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit and other communication units of the communication device; If the antenna is used by the UWB communication unit, then the UWB communication unit establishes a UWB communication channel with the first external communication device; If the antenna is used by the other communication unit, then the other communication unit establishes an additional communication channel with the second external communication device; The additional communication unit grants access to the antenna to the UWB communication unit in response to receiving a critical priority request from the UWB communication unit. The UWB communication unit is configured to transmit the critical priority request to the other communication unit after a predetermined number of failed normal priority communication attempts, wherein the critical priority request is not rejected after the normal priority communication attempts fail. Furthermore, the critical priority request is made using a critical priority request message sent from the UWB communication unit to the other communication unit. The critical priority request for access to the antenna by the UWB communication device has a predetermined grant duration parameter bit field and an active grant duration parameter bit field. The predetermined grant duration parameter bit field specifies the time elapsed between the time of the request and the time the UWB communication unit receives the access to the antenna. The active grant duration parameter bit field specifies the amount of time required for the UWB communication unit to complete a ranging round, which includes multiple ranging operations between the UWB communication unit and multiple external responder nodes.

8. A method for operating a communication device, characterized in that, include: The first antenna of the ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit of the communication device and the second antenna of another communication unit of the communication device share the spectrum. If the first antenna is used by the UWB communication unit, then the UWB communication unit establishes a UWB communication channel with the first external communication device; If the second antenna is used by the other communication unit, then the other communication unit establishes an additional communication channel with the second external communication device. The additional communication unit grants access to the spectrum to the UWB communication unit in response to receiving a critical priority request from the UWB communication unit. The UWB communication unit is configured to transmit the critical priority request to the other communication unit after a predetermined number of failed normal priority communication attempts, wherein the critical priority request is not rejected after the normal priority communication attempts fail. Furthermore, the critical priority request is made using a critical priority request message sent from the UWB communication unit to the other communication unit. The critical priority request for access to the spectrum by the UWB communication device has a predetermined grant duration parameter bit field and an active grant duration parameter bit field. The predetermined grant duration parameter bit field specifies the time elapsed between the time of the request and the time the UWB communication unit receives access to the spectrum. The active grant duration parameter bit field specifies the amount of time required for the UWB communication unit to complete a ranging round, which includes multiple ranging operations between the UWB communication unit and multiple external responder nodes.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, The computer program includes executable instructions that, when executed by a communication device, perform the method according to any one of claims 7 to 8.

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