Coexistence of isochronous communication devices with co-located asynchronous communication devices

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods include an isochronous communication device and a co-located asynchronous communication device, where the isochronous communication device and the asynchronous communication device share a common radio frequency spectrum. Also included is a coexistence bus coupled between the isochronous communication device and the asynchronous communication device for sending isochronous data information to the asynchronous communication device, where the isochronous data information includes an isochronous interval and a duration for transmission of isochronous data within the isochronous interval. The asynchronous communication device is configured to reserve the common radio frequency spectrum during the duration of the isochronous data transmission and to aggregate asynchronous data for transmission within the isochronous interval after the duration of the isochronous data transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the coexistence of co-located isochronous and asynchronous communication devices sharing a common radio frequency spectrum. Background Technology

[0002] In the classics In audio distribution, based on asynchronous connectionless (ACL) communication between a master (source) communication device and one or more slave (destination) communication devices, the Bluetooth® (BT) link relies entirely on data scheduling performed by the master device. The asynchronous nature of BT communication makes it difficult for any multi-device coexistence algorithm used for co-located communication devices in the same frequency band to predict the intervals and durations of audio data sent from the master device to the slave devices. Therefore, data from IEEE 802.11 communication devices (or any other asynchronous communication standard) co-located with BT communication devices and sharing the same RF spectrum... The service is preempted every time a new BitTorrent (BT) transmission request is received. This preemption interrupts any Wi-Fi packets that are already being transmitted, requiring the entire packet to be retransmitted and disrupting the rate control algorithm in the Wi-Fi communication device. Furthermore, the algorithm in the Wi-Fi communication device that grants media access to the BT communication device is unaware of the duration of the BT packet and therefore reserves the media for the longest allowed BT packet. This prevents the Wi-Fi communication device from accessing the media after a shorter BT packet has completed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure describes methods for managing isochronous communication devices (such as Bluetooth). (R) Examples of systems, methods, and apparatuses for the coexistence of low-power (BLE) communication devices and co-located asynchronous communication devices (e.g., communication devices compliant with IEEE 802.11) operating in a shared radio frequency spectrum.

[0004] In one example, the apparatus according to this disclosure includes an isochronous communication device, a co-located asynchronous communication device, and a coexistence bus coupled between the isochronous communication device and the asynchronous communication device, wherein the isochronous communication device and the asynchronous communication device share a common radio frequency spectrum. The isochronous communication device is configured to transmit isochronous data information to the asynchronous communication device via the coexistence bus, wherein the isochronous data information includes an isochronous interval and a duration for transmitting isochronous data within the isochronous interval. The asynchronous communication device is configured to reserve the common radio frequency spectrum during the duration of the isochronous data transmission and to aggregate asynchronous data after the duration of the isochronous data transmission for transmission within the isochronous interval.

[0005] In one example, the isochronous communication device includes Low-power (BLE) communication devices, and the co-located asynchronous communication devices include IEEE 802.11 WLAN. Communication equipment.

[0006] In one example, the isochronous interval includes a BLE isochronous (ISO) interval, and the duration of the isochronous data transmission includes the duration of BLE isochronous data transmission within the BLE ISO interval, wherein the Wi-Fi communication device is configured to: reserve the public radio frequency spectrum during the duration of the BLE isochronous data transmission, and aggregate Wi-Fi data after the duration of the BLE isochronous data transmission for transmission within the BLE ISO interval.

[0007] In one example, the isochronous data information also includes a BLE transport mode selected from one of the broadcast isochronous stream BIS and multiple connected isochronous stream CIS.

[0008] In one example, the BLE isochronous data includes a BLE audio stream, wherein the BLE audio stream includes at least one connected isochronous stream (CIS) to a connected isochronous group (CIG) or a broadcast isochronous stream (BIS) to a broadcast isochronous group (BIG).

[0009] In one example, according to this disclosure, a method in an apparatus comprising an isochronous communication device sharing a common radio frequency spectrum and a coexisting asynchronous communication device includes: the isochronous communication device sending isochronous data information to the asynchronous communication device via a coexistence bus, wherein the isochronous data information includes an isochronous interval and a duration for transmitting isochronous data within the isochronous interval. The example method further includes: reserving the common radio frequency spectrum by the asynchronous communication device during the duration of the isochronous data transmission, and aggregating the asynchronous data after the duration of the isochronous data transmission for transmission within the isochronous interval.

[0010] In one example, a system according to this disclosure includes: a processor; a bus coupled to the processor; an isochronous communication device coupled to the bus; an asynchronous communication device coupled to the bus, wherein the isochronous communication device and the asynchronous communication device share a common radio frequency spectrum; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform operations including: transmitting isochronous data information from the isochronous communication device to the asynchronous communication device via the bus, wherein the isochronous data information includes an isochronous interval and a duration for transmitting isochronous data within the isochronous interval; and in the asynchronous communication device, reserving the shared radio frequency spectrum during the duration of the isochronous data transmission, and aggregating asynchronous data after the duration of the isochronous data transmission for transmission within the isochronous interval. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To gain a more complete understanding of the examples, please now refer to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals correspond to the same elements:

[0012] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an example system for managing the coexistence of communication devices according to this disclosure;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a timing diagram illustrating an example method for managing the coexistence of communication devices according to this disclosure;

[0014] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example method for managing the coexistence of communication devices according to this disclosure; and

[0015] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating an example system for managing the coexistence of communication devices in accordance with this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Systems, methods, and apparatuses for managing the coexistence of co-located isochronous and asynchronous communication devices in a shared public radio frequency spectrum are disclosed. As used herein, the term "isochronous" means the synchronous transmission of data to a set of receivers.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an example system 100 for managing the coexistence of co-located isochronous and asynchronous communication devices sharing a common radio frequency spectrum. System 100 includes multiple radio communication devices 101, which have isochronous communication devices, Bluetooth, etc. (R) Low-power (BLE) communication device 102. BLE communication device 102 may be compliant with, for example, Bluetooth. (R)The core specification version 5.2 supports isochronous audio data transmission in the 2.4 GHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band. The BLE communication device 102 can function as a Bluetooth device. (R) The master device in the network operates to control one or more BLE slave devices 105. The BLE communication device 102 can send connected isochronous streams (CIS) to one or more BLE devices 105 that include a connected isochronous group (CIG). The BLE communication device 102 can also send broadcast isochronous streams (BIS) to a group of BLE devices 105 that includes a broadcast isochronous group (BIG).

[0018] The multiple radio communication devices 101 also include asynchronous communication devices, such as the IEEE 802.11 compliant Wi-Fi communication device 103 in the example of system 100, which also operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. The Wi-Fi communication device 103 can operate as a wireless station in a wireless local area network (WLAN) controlled by a wireless access point (WAP) 106.

[0019] The multiple radio communication device 101 also includes a coexistence bus 104 coupled between the isochronous communication device 102 and the asynchronous communication device 103. The coexistence bus 104 is configured to transmit isochronous data information from the isochronous communication device 102 to the asynchronous communication device 103. In one example, the isochronous data information includes the duration of the isochronous (ISO) interval for each data frame of the isochronous communication device 102, and the duration for transmitting isochronous data within the ISO interval, wherein the duration of the ISO interval and the duration of the isochronous data may vary from frame to frame. In an example of system 100, the ISO interval includes a BLE ISO interval, and the isochronous data may include a BLE isochronous audio stream in connected mode or broadcast mode. In one example, the isochronous data information may also include a BLE transmission mode selected from one of a broadcast isochronous stream (BIS) and multiple connected isochronous streams (CIS).

[0020] In one example, asynchronous communication device 103 is configured to reserve a shared radio frequency spectrum (e.g., a 2.4 GHz ISM band) for isochronous communication device 102 based on isochronous data information during the duration of isochronous data transmission. Asynchronous communication device 103 is also configured to aggregate asynchronous data after the duration of isochronous data transmission for transmission within an isochronous interval, as described in more detail below.

[0021] In one example, asynchronous communication device 103 may perform the coexistence operations described herein as part of a coexistence algorithm operating within a Total Packet Traffic Arbitration (PTA) algorithm. In one example, asynchronous communication device 103 may include a dedicated processor for receiving and processing isochronous data information within the coexistence algorithm, which operates independently of any normal PTA algorithm executed by asynchronous communication device 103. In one example, coexistence bus 104 may include a separate coexistence processor for receiving isochronous data information from isochronous communication device 102, analyzing the coexistence data information within the coexistence algorithm, and directing asynchronous communication device 103 to perform the spectrum reservation and data aggregation operations described herein.

[0022] In the example of system 100, the isochronous interval includes a BLE isochronous (ISO) interval, and the duration of isochronous data transmission includes the duration of BLE isochronous data transmission within the BLE ISO interval, wherein the Wi-Fi communication device is configured to: reserve public radio frequency spectrum during the duration of BLE isochronous data transmission, and aggregate Wi-Fi data after the duration of BLE isochronous data transmission for transmission within the BLE ISO interval.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a timing diagram 200 illustrating an example of coexistence operation of an isochronous BLE communication device 102 and an asynchronous Wi-Fi communication device 103 on three exemplary ISO intervals implemented by a coexistence bus 104.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, before ISO interval 201-1 begins at time t0, isochronous data information 202-0 is transmitted from BLE communication device 102 to Wi-Fi communication device 203 via coexistence bus 104. The isochronous data information includes the duration of ISO interval 201-1 and the duration of BLE data 203-1 within ISO interval 201-1. Note that the BLE data duration 203-1 is defined as: the time required for BLE data to be sent by BLE communication device 102 (Tx data) and received by BLE slave device 105 (Rx data), plus the time for Tx and Rx acknowledgments.

[0025] Wi-Fi communication device 103 uses isochronous data information 202-0 to reserve shared radio spectrum for BLE communication device 102 to transmit BLE data during the BLE data duration 203-1. Wi-Fi communication device 103 also uses isochronous data information 202-0 to calculate how much Wi-Fi data 204-1 to aggregate for transmission to match the duration of the BLE data transmission. 01The time interval between the end of the BLE data duration 203-1 at t1 and the end of the ISO interval 201-1 at t1, during which Wi-Fi data is transmitted.

[0026] Before the end of ISO interval 201-1 at t1, BLE communication device 102 sends isochronous data information 202-1 to Wi-Fi communication device 103 via coexistence bus 104. The isochronous data information includes the duration of ISO interval 201-2 and the duration of BLE data 203-2 within ISO interval 201-2. Again, note that the BLE data duration 203-1 is defined as: the time required for BLE data to be sent by BLE communication device 102 (Tx data) and received by BLE from device 105 (Rx data), plus the time for Tx and Rx acknowledgments.

[0027] Wi-Fi communication device 103 uses isochronous data information 202-1 to reserve shared radio spectrum for BLE communication device 102 to transmit BLE data during the BLE data duration 203-2. Wi-Fi communication device 103 also uses isochronous data information 202-1 to calculate how much Wi-Fi data 204-2 is aggregated for transmission to match the duration of the BLE data transmission. 12 The time interval between the end of the BLE data duration 203-2 and the end of the ISO interval 201-2 at t2, during which Wi-Fi data is transmitted.

[0028] Before the end of ISO interval 201-1, BLE communication device 102 sends isochronous data information 202-2 to Wi-Fi communication device 103 via coexistence bus 104. Isochronous data information 202-1 includes the duration of ISO interval 201-3 and the duration of BLE data 203-3 within ISO interval 201-3. Again, the BLE data duration 203-3 is defined as: the time required for BLE data to be sent by BLE communication device 102 (Tx data) and received by BLE from device 105 (Rx data), plus the time for Tx and Rx acknowledgments.

[0029] Wi-Fi communication device 103 uses isochronous data information 202-2 to reserve shared radio spectrum for BLE communication device 102 to transmit BLE data during the BLE data duration 203-3. Wi-Fi communication device 103 also uses isochronous data information 202-2 to calculate how much Wi-Fi data 204-3 is aggregated for transmission to match the duration of the BLE data transmission. 23 The time interval between the end of the BLE data duration 203-2 at t3 and the end of the ISO interval 201-2 at t3, during which Wi-Fi data is transmitted.

[0030] Before the end of ISO interval 201-3 at t3, the BLE communication device sends isochronous data information 202-3 to the Wi-Fi communication device 103 via the coexistence bus 104 to set the next frame, and so on.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a flowchart 300 illustrating an example method for managing the coexistence of co-located isochronous and asynchronous communication devices sharing a common radio frequency spectrum.

[0032] Method 300 begins at operation 302, where isochronous data information is transmitted via a coexistence bus (e.g., bus 104) from an isochronous communication device (e.g., BLE communication device 102) sharing a public wireless spectrum (e.g., a 2.4 GHz ISM band) to an asynchronous communication device (e.g., Wi-Fi communication device 103). The isochronous data information includes an isochronous interval (e.g., 201-1, 201-2, etc.) and a duration (202-1, 202-2, etc.) for the transmission of isochronous data within the isochronous interval. Method 300 continues at operation 304, where the asynchronous communication device reserves the public wireless spectrum during the duration of the isochronous data transmission. Next, method 300 continues at operation 306, where, after the duration of the isochronous data transmission, the asynchronous communication device aggregates asynchronous data for transmission by the asynchronous communication device within the isochronous interval. Method 300 ends at operation 308, where the asynchronous communication device transmits the aggregated data within the isochronous interval.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of an example system 400 for managing the coexistence of co-located isochronous and asynchronous communication devices sharing a common radio frequency spectrum. System 400 includes a processor 401, an isochronous communication device 402, an asynchronous communication device 403, and a memory 404, all of which are interconnected via a bus 405.

[0034] In some examples, processor 401 may be one or more general-purpose processing devices, such as microprocessors, central processing units, etc. More specifically, processor 401 may be a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) microprocessor, a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) microprocessor, a Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) microprocessor, or a processor that implements other instruction sets, or a processor that implements combinations of instruction sets. Processor 401 may also be one or more special-purpose processing devices, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), network processors, etc.

[0035] The memory 404 can be any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, disk storage, or optical disk storage.

[0036] Bus 405 can be any general-purpose or dedicated bus configured to send control signals, data, and instructions between processor 401, isochronous communication device 402, asynchronous communication device 403, and memory 404. Specifically, bus 405 can be configured to send isochronous data information from isochronous communication device 402 to asynchronous communication device 403 for managing the coexistence of isochronous communication device 402 and asynchronous communication device 403 in their use of a common radio frequency spectrum.

[0037] In one example, memory 404 contains instructions that, when executed by processor 401, cause system 400 to perform operations for managing the coexistence of isochronous communication device 102 and asynchronous communication device 103. For example, memory 404 includes instruction 406, which causes isochronous communication device 402 to send isochronous data information to asynchronous communication device 403 via bus 405. The isochronous data information includes isochronous intervals (e.g., 201-1, 201-2, 201-3, etc.) and the duration of transmission of isochronous data (e.g., 203-1, 203-2, 203-3, etc.) within the isochronous intervals. Memory 404 also includes instruction 408, which causes the asynchronous communication device to reserve shared radio spectrum during the duration of isochronous data transmission. Memory 404 also includes instruction 410, which causes the asynchronous communication device to aggregate asynchronous data (e.g., 204-1, 204-2, 204-3, etc.) for transmission within the isochronous intervals after the duration of isochronous data transmission. Finally, memory 404 includes instructions 412 for causing the asynchronous communication device to transmit asynchronous data within equal time intervals.

[0038] The foregoing description sets forth numerous specific details, such as examples of particular systems, components, methods, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of several examples within this disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that at least some examples of this disclosure can be implemented without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components or methods have not been described in detail or presented in simple block diagram form to avoid unnecessarily obscuring this disclosure. Therefore, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. Specific examples may differ from these exemplary details and are still considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0039] Any reference to “an example” or “example” throughout the specification means that a particular feature, structure, or property described in connection with the example is included in at least one example. Therefore, the phrases “in an example” or “in the example” appearing throughout the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same example.

[0040] Although the operations of the methods described herein are shown and described in a specific order, the order of operations for each method can be changed so that some operations can be performed in reverse order or that some operations can be performed at least partially concurrently with other operations. Instructions or sub-operations of different operations can be performed intermittently or alternately.

[0041] The above description of the illustrated examples of the invention (including the description in the abstract) is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Although specific embodiments and examples of the invention have been described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The terms “example” or “exemplary” as used herein are meant to serve as examples, instances, or illustrations. Any aspect or design described herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or superior to other aspects or designs. Rather, the use of the terms “example” or “exemplary” is intended to present concepts in a specific manner. As used herein, the term “or” is intended to mean inclusive “or” rather than exclusive “or.” That is, unless otherwise specified or clearly understood from the context, “X includes A or B” is intended to mean any natural permutation of inclusion. That is, if X includes A; X includes B; or X includes A and B, then “X includes A or B” is satisfied in any of the above instances. Furthermore, as used in this application and the appended claims, the articles “a” and “an” should generally be interpreted as meaning “one or more” unless otherwise specified or clearly indicated from the context to the singular form. As used in this application, in the context of connected components or systems, the terms “coupled to” or “coupled to” include directly coupled components or systems, as well as indirectly coupled components or systems through other components or interface systems.

Claims

1. An apparatus for managing the coexistence of isochronous communication devices and co-located asynchronous communication devices, comprising: The isochronous communication device; The co-located asynchronous communication device, wherein the isochronous communication device and the co-located asynchronous communication device share a common radio frequency spectrum; and A coexistence bus coupled between the isochronous communication device and the co-located asynchronous communication device is configured to send isochronous data information to the co-located asynchronous communication device for each of a plurality of isochronous intervals. The isochronous data information includes the isochronous interval and the duration for transmitting isochronous data within the isochronous interval, wherein the isochronous data information is transmitted during a previous data transmission in another isochronous interval preceding the isochronous interval. The co-located asynchronous communication device is configured to: The common radio frequency spectrum is preserved during the duration of the isochronous data transmission, and Based on the isochronous data information received via the coexistence bus, calculate the amount of asynchronous data to be aggregated after the duration of the isochronous data transmission for transmission within the isochronous interval.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The isochronous communication device includes Bluetooth. ® Low-power (BLE) communication devices, wherein the co-located asynchronous communication devices include IEEE 802.11 WLAN (Wi-Fi). ® Communication equipment.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The isochronous interval includes a BLE isochronous (ISO) interval, and the duration of the isochronous data transmission includes the duration of BLE isochronous data transmission within the BLE ISO interval. The Wi-Fi communication device is configured to reserve the public radio frequency spectrum during the duration of the BLE isochronous data transmission and to aggregate Wi-Fi data after the duration of the BLE isochronous data transmission for transmission within the BLE ISO interval.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The isochronous data information also includes a BLE transmission mode selected from one of the broadcast isochronous stream (BIS) and multiple connected isochronous streams (CIS).

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The BLE isochronous data includes BLE audio streams.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The BLE audio stream includes at least one connected isochronous stream (CIS) to a connected isochronous group (CIG).

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The BLE audio stream includes broadcast isochronous streams (BIS) to broadcast isochronous groups (BIG).

8. A method in an apparatus comprising an isochronous communication device sharing a common radio frequency spectrum and a co-located asynchronous communication device, the method comprising: In the isochronous communication device, for each of the plurality of isochronous intervals, isochronous data information is sent to the co-located asynchronous communication device via a coexistence bus. The isochronous data information includes the isochronous interval and the duration for transmitting isochronous data within the isochronous interval, and the isochronous data information is transmitted during a previous data transmission in another isochronous interval preceding the isochronous interval. In the co-located asynchronous communication device, the common radio frequency spectrum is reserved during the duration of the isochronous data transmission, and Based on the isochronous data information received via the coexistence bus, calculate the amount of asynchronous data to be aggregated after the duration of the isochronous data transmission for transmission within the isochronous interval.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The isochronous communication device includes Bluetooth. ® Low-power (BLE) communication devices, wherein the co-located asynchronous communication devices include IEEE 802.11 WLAN (Wi-Fi). ® Radio equipment.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The isochronous interval includes a BLE isochronous (ISO) interval, and the duration of the isochronous data transmission includes the duration of the BLE isochronous data transmission within the ISO interval. The method further includes: The common radio frequency spectrum is retained during the duration of the BLE and other time-of-flight data transmission; Wi-Fi data is aggregated after the duration of the BLE isochronous data transmission to be transmitted within the BLE ISO interval.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The isochronous data information also includes a BLE transmission mode selected from one of the broadcast isochronous stream (BIS) and multiple connected isochronous streams (CIS).

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The BLE isochronous data transmission includes BLE audio streams.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The BLE audio stream includes a connected isochronous stream (CIS) to one of the connected isochronous groups (CIG).

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The BLE audio stream includes broadcast isochronous streams (BIS) to broadcast isochronous groups (BIG).

15. A system for managing the coexistence of isochronous communication devices and asynchronous communication devices, comprising: processor; A bus coupled to the processor; The isochronous communication device coupled to the bus; The asynchronous communication device coupled to the bus, wherein the isochronous communication device and the asynchronous communication device share a common radio frequency spectrum; and A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform operations including: In the isochronous communication device, for each of a plurality of isochronous intervals, isochronous data information is transmitted to the asynchronous communication device via the bus, wherein the isochronous data information includes the isochronous interval and the duration for transmitting isochronous data within the isochronous interval, and the isochronous data information is transmitted during a previous data transmission in another isochronous interval preceding the isochronous interval; and In the asynchronous communication device, the common radio frequency spectrum is reserved during the duration of the isochronous data transmission, and Based on the isochronous data information received via the bus, calculate the amount of asynchronous data to be aggregated after the duration of the isochronous data transmission for transmission within the isochronous interval.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein, The isochronous communication device includes Bluetooth. ® Low-power (BLE) communication devices, wherein the asynchronous communication devices include IEEE 802.11 WLAN (Wi-Fi). ® Communication equipment.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein, The isochronous interval includes a BLE isochronous (ISO) interval, and the duration of the isochronous data transmission includes the duration of the BLE isochronous data transmission within the ISO interval. The operation further includes: The common radio frequency spectrum is retained during the duration of the BLE and other time-of-flight data transmission; Wi-Fi data is aggregated after the duration of the BLE isochronous data transmission to be transmitted within the BLE ISO interval.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein, The isochronous data information also includes a BLE transmission mode selected from one of the broadcast isochronous stream (BIS) and multiple connected isochronous streams (CIS).

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein, The BLE isochronous data includes BLE audio streams.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein, The BLE audio stream includes one of connected isochronous streams (CIS) to connected isochronous groups (CIG) and broadcast isochronous streams (BIS) to broadcast isochronous groups (BIG).

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