Agile reconfigurable Wi-Fi coexistence system

Abstract

In one aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a user equipment (UE). A user equipment identifies coexistence of a plurality of mutually interfering communication instances. The user equipment determines a coexistence scheme according to the current scene and the capability of the user equipment. The user equipment adjusts execution of the plurality of communication instances according to the coexistence scheme.

Description

[0001] field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications and, more particularly, to techniques for managing coexistence between Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and cellular (LTE / NR) technologies within a single device. [Background technology]

[0003] background

[0004] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0005] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcast. A typical wireless communication system may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of these multiple access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0006] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. An example of a telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the continued mobile broadband evolution promoted by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements related to latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., related to the Internet of Things (IoT)), and other requirements. Some aspects of 5G NR may be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. [Summary of the invention]

[0007] summary

[0008] A simplified summary of one or more aspects is presented below in order to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description provided later.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a user equipment (UE). The user equipment identifies the coexistence of multiple mutually interfering communication instances. The user equipment determines a coexistence scheme based on a current scenario and the capabilities of the user equipment. The user equipment adjusts the execution of the multiple communication instances according to the coexistence scheme.

[0010] To accomplish the above and related purposes, one or more aspects include the features particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the accompanying drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features illustrate that the principles of the various aspects can be employed in many different ways, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] Brief description of the diagram

[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system including multiple radio sources and a user equipment (UE).

[0013] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless communication device having multiple receivers and transmitters.

[0014] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example coexistence challenge when Wi-Fi and LTE operate simultaneously on a mobile phone.

[0015] FIG4(A) is a diagram showing the Figure 3 A specific spectrum related to the scene in .

[0016] FIG4(B) is a diagram showing the Figure 3 Spectra associated with the scenario shown, where LTE is the aggressor and Wi-Fi is the victim.

[0017] Figure 5 An example system architecture that addresses the coexistence challenge is presented.

[0018] Figure 6 An example system architecture incorporating an integrated power amplifier (iPA) is shown.

[0019] Figure 7 An example system architecture combining an integrated power amplifier (iPA) and an external power amplifier (ePA) is shown.

[0020] Figure 8 A sample table is shown outlining various communication configurations for Wi-Fi coexistence with LTE / NR.

[0021] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example interaction between a client device and a Wi-Fi router to change operating modes.

[0022] Fig.10 is a flow chart showing an example process for addressing coexistence challenges. [Specific implementation method]

[0023] Detailed Description

[0024] The following detailed description is presented in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which is intended to describe various configurations and is not meant to be the only configuration described by these concepts. The detailed description includes specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, for those skilled in the art, these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, in order to avoid obscuring these concepts, known structures and components are shown in block diagram form.

[0025] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be described with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination of the two. Whether these elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0026] Figure 1 FIG. 100 shows an example of a wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system may include multiple wireless sources, such as multiple base stations 102, a communication satellite 112, a wireless router 122 and a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 132, and a user equipment (UE) 104.

[0027] Taking a base station as an example, the base stations 102 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly. The base stations 102 can communicate wirelessly with the UE 104. Each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 108. Similarly, the communication satellite 112, the wireless router 122, and the AP 132 can provide communication coverage for corresponding geographic coverage areas 118, 128, and 138. These geographic coverage areas 108, 118, 128, and 138 may overlap with each other. The communication link 106 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include an uplink (UL) (also called a reverse link) transmission from the UE 104 to the base station 102 and / or a downlink (DL) (also called a forward link) transmission from the base station 102 to the UE 104. Similarly, the communication link 116 between the communication satellite 112 and the UE 104, the communication link 126 between the wireless router 122 and the UE 104, and the communication link 136 between the AP 132 and the UE 104 may also include UL transmissions and DL transmissions.

[0028] Figure 2 is a diagram 200 showing an example of a wireless communication device having multiple receivers and transmitters, e.g. Figure 1 UE 104 shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, UE 104 may include a processor 202, a memory 206, a wireless circuit 208, two transmitters (Tx) 210 and 212, and two receivers (Rx) 214 and 216. The processor 202 and the wireless circuit 208 can work together to establish connections, interact with applications, format data according to one or more wireless communication protocols, convert digital data into RF signals suitable for transmission, and similarly convert received RF signals into digital data. The wireless circuit 208 can be connected to one or more RF transmit signal chains (including internal and / or external circuits, such as antennas) 210 and 212, and one or more RF receive signal chains (including internal and / or external circuits, such as antennas) 214 and 216.

[0029] UE 104 can configure processor 202 and wireless circuit 208 to receive RF signals from one or more wireless sources, such as base station 102, communication satellite 112, wireless router 122, and AP 132, individually in series and / or collectively in parallel. In some embodiments, processor 202 can configure wireless circuit 208 to receive RF signals from a group of serving cells, and can reconfigure wireless circuit 208 to receive RF signals from a group of neighboring cells.

[0030] Communication links, such as communication link 106, may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology. Communication links may be conducted over one or more carriers.

[0031] For example, Wi-Fi AP 132 may communicate with UE 104 configured as a Wi-Fi station (STA) in the 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum via communication link 136. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, AP 132 and UE 104 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) before communicating to determine whether the channel is available.

[0032] Base station 102 may be referred to as a gNB, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), access point, base transceiver station, wireless base station, wireless transceiver, transceiver function, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), transmission reception point (TRP), or other appropriate terminology. Examples of UE 104 may include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., an MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a medical device, an implant, a sensor / actuator, a display, or any other device with similar functionality. UE 104 may also be referred to as an Internet of Things device (e.g., a parking meter, a gas pump, a toaster, a vehicle, a heart monitor, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a site, a mobile site, a subscriber site, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber site, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handheld device, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or other appropriate terminology.

[0033] The present disclosure may be applicable to various wireless / radio access technologies, such as fifth generation new radio (5G NR), long term evolution (LTE), long term evolution-advanced (LTE-A), code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), or other wireless / radio access technologies.

[0034] Modern smartphones incorporate a variety of radio technologies, including cellular radio for 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Global Positioning System (GPS), and Near Field Communication (NFC). These radios may need to operate simultaneously to provide uninterrupted service and full functionality. The challenge is managing the coexistence (COEX) of these different radio technologies within a single device.

[0035] review Figure 1 , the signal strengths between different radio sources and UEs may not be equal; some may be very strong, while others may be very weak, depending on the distance between the UE and the radio source. For example, when UE 104 is far away from base station 102, its transmitter will transmit its maximum radio frequency (RF) power, and its receiver will be in the most sensitive state to maintain the link.

[0036] It should be noted that because these different radios need to operate simultaneously, they can severely interfere with each other, resulting in degraded communication quality, reduced data throughput, and even link failures. For example, the LTE / 5G and Wi-Fi bands are very close in frequency. Each of these radios can act as an aggressor through its transmitter or a victim through its receiver. Specifically, when the UE 104 is farthest from the communication radio source (e.g., base station 102 or access point 132), the UE transmitter is in the most aggressive state. Similarly, when the UE 104 is farthest from the communication radio source, the receiver is most susceptible to interference. The most challenging coexistence conditions occur when the UE 104 is farthest from all communication radio sources and operates on communication links, such as LTE / 5G and Wi-Fi, which are closest in frequency.

[0037] In a typical smartphone, the cellular radio, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or fifth-generation New Radio (NR), has the highest priority because it is the primary means of communication. While the user is talking, downloading, or streaming data over the cellular network, other radio technologies, especially Wi-Fi, must continue to operate without significantly degrading their performance or completely ceasing to operate.

[0038] This disclosure addresses the challenge of smart Wi-Fi operation in an environment including LTE / NR without compromising Wi-Fi performance. The goal is to minimize interference between Wi-Fi and cellular radios so that they can coexist harmoniously within the same device.

[0039] Figure 3 300 illustrates the coexistence challenges of Wi-Fi and LTE operating simultaneously on a single device in a wireless communication system, such as UE 104. The diagram depicts an "aggressor Tx" representing a Wi-Fi transmitter and a "victim Rx" representing an LTE receiver. This configuration highlights the potential interference that may occur between these two communication technologies within the same device.

[0040] FIG. 4(A) is a diagram 400 illustrating Figure 3 Figure 2. Spectrum plot associated with the scenario in Figure 2. The x-axis represents frequency, while the y-axis represents power spectral density (PSD). This plot provides a visual representation of how different radio technologies, such as Wi-Fi and LTE, occupy different bands within the spectrum and how different impairments may cause these radios to interfere with each other.

[0041] In modern wireless communication systems, multiple radio technologies often coexist within a single device, such as UE 104. These technologies, which may be referred to as "communication instances," operate on different frequency bands. For example, cellular networks such as LTE or 5G NR may operate on different frequency bands depending on the service provider and available spectrum. Some cellular networks operate on the 2 GHz band close to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band (e.g., LTE band n41), others on the 3 GHz band, and some of the more recent ones are using the 5 GHz band or operating very close to it (e.g., LTE band n79).

[0042] On the other hand, Wi-Fi mainly operates in two frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (and more recently 6 GHz). As shown in FIG. 4(A), the Wi-Fi transmitter signal, represented by curve 402 and labeled F WiFi / TX , operating at a frequency of approximately 5.1 GHz. The LTE received signal, represented by block 404 and labeled F LTE / RX , operating at a lower frequency, approximately 4.9 GHz. This case illustrates a frequency separation of approximately 200 MHz between the two signals.

[0043] The proximity of these frequency bands creates a coexistence challenge. When a Wi-Fi transmitter in a UE 104 is active, it transmits data not only within its assigned frequency band. Due to the nature of radio frequency (RF) transmissions, energy can spill over outside of the designated frequency band. This phenomenon is known as out-of-band emissions or spectrum regrowth.

[0044] The out-of-band emissions of Wi-Fi transmitters, although relatively low in power compared to in-band signals, are still sufficient to cause interference to nearby LTE receivers. As shown in Figure 4(A), the spectrum mask of a Wi-Fi transmitter exceeds its assigned frequency band and may overlap with the LTE reception band.

[0045] This interference can cause several problems for the LTE receiver in UE 104. The energy spilled from the Wi-Fi transmitter can increase the noise floor of the LTE receive band, effectively reducing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the desired LTE signal. This reduction in SNR can cause a decrease in the sensitivity of the LTE receiver, a phenomenon known as desensitization or "desensing."

[0046] Desensitization of LTE receivers may have several consequences:

[0047] 1. Increase the minimum receivable signal strength: UE 104 may require a stronger LTE signal from base station 102 to maintain a reliable connection.

[0048] 2. Reduced coverage area: UE 104 may need to be closer to base station 102 to receive a strong enough signal.

[0049] 3. Increased probability of dropped calls or connection loss: When the Wi-Fi transmitter is active, the probability of the user equipment (UE) 104 losing connection with the base station 102 increases.

[0050] 4. Reduced data throughput: Reduced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) may result in reduced data rates on LTE connections.

[0051] Wi-Fi transmitter out-of-band noise impairments have several components:

[0052] 1. Transmitter Skirt: This refers to the spectral regrowth or spreading of the transmitted signal beyond its intended bandwidth. This is due to the nonlinearity of the transmitter's power amplifier and other RF components.

[0053] 2. DAC Image: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) image is an unwanted signal that appears at a multiple of the sampling frequency of the desired signal. In this illustration, the DAC image is typically below -145dBm / Hz.

[0054] 3. Offset LO spikes: Local oscillator (LO) spikes are unwanted signals generated by the frequency synthesis circuit. In this illustration, the offset LO spike is shown as less than -130dBm / Hz.

[0055] 4. Emitting harmonics: Harmonics are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency and may cause interference in other frequency bands.

[0056] These impairments can affect a variety of frequency bands, including low (L), mid (M), high (H), ultra-high (UH), and cognitive radio (CR) bands. All of these bands are subject to restrictions by regulatory agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as well as coexistence requirements with other radios in the same device.

[0057] Figure 3 The coexistence challenges depicted in are not limited to Wi-Fi as the aggressor and LTE as the victim. The roles can be reversed, with LTE as the aggressor and Wi-Fi as the victim. This two-way interference potential highlights the complexity of managing multiple radio technologies in a single device such as user equipment (UE) 104.

[0058] In a coexistence scenario with LTE as an aggressor (transmitter) and Wi-Fi as a victim (receiver), the power level of the LTE transmitter in the user equipment (UE) 104 is significantly higher than that of the Wi-Fi transmitter. Cellular networks typically require four to six times the linear power output of Wi-Fi for transmission. This significant power difference exacerbates the potential for interference, making the LTE transmitter a more powerful aggressor.

[0059] FIG. 4(B) is a diagram 450 depicting Figure 3 Figure 1 shows the spectrum associated with the scenario shown in Figure 1, where LTE is the aggressor and Wi-Fi is the victim. The figure depicts the relative position and power levels of the LTE transmit signal and the Wi-Fi receive signal. The x-axis represents frequency, while the y-axis represents power spectral density (PSD).

[0060] The figure shows a desired Wi-Fi receive signal 452, labeled “Desired RX,” that typically operates in the microwatt range. In contrast, an LTE transmit signal 454, labeled “TX,” operates closer to the watt range. This large difference in power levels, typically spanning three orders of magnitude, presents a significant challenge for Wi-Fi receivers in user equipment (UE) 104.

[0061] There are two main mechanisms by which LTE transmissions can cause interference to Wi-Fi receivers:

[0062] 1. Transmitter Skirt: The energy of the LTE transmitter overflows its assigned frequency band and enters the adjacent Wi-Fi frequency band. This out-of-band emission, represented by the “TX skirt” in Figure 4(B), can corrupt the Wi-Fi receive signal.

[0063] 2. Direct interference: High-power LTE transmit signals can couple directly into the Wi-Fi receive path due to limited isolation between the LTE and Wi-Fi antennas within the user equipment (UE) 104. In some device designs, the LTE and Wi-Fi radios may even share the same antenna, further exacerbating the problem.

[0064] The figure also depicts other important signal and noise sources:

[0065] -TX noise floor: This represents the baseline noise level of the LTE transmitter, which can extend into the Wi-Fi receive band.

[0066] -RX LO: Receive local oscillator signal used for down-conversion in Wi-Fi receiver.

[0067] -RX LO noise floor: The noise contributed by the local oscillator in the Wi-Fi receiver.

[0068] Various impairments that may affect Wi-Fi receiver performance in coexistence scenarios are categorized as common impairments and other impairments.

[0069] Common injuries include:

[0070] 1. Transmitter Skirt: As mentioned earlier, this refers to the out-of-band emissions of the LTE transmitter.

[0071] 2. Local Oscillator Phase Noise (PN) Mixing: This occurs when the phase noise of the local oscillator in a Wi-Fi receiver mixes with a strong interfering signal, spreading the interference over a wider bandwidth.

[0072] 3. IM2 (Second Order Intermodulation): Second order intermodulation products generated by the Wi-Fi receiver due to nonlinearity when processing strong LTE signals.

[0073] 4. Gain compression: A strong LTE signal can drive the Wi-Fi receiver’s amplifier into compression, reducing its gain for the desired Wi-Fi signal.

[0074] 5. Noise figure expansion: Similar to gain compression, a strong LTE signal can reduce the noise figure of a Wi-Fi receiver, increasing its effective noise floor.

[0075] Other injuries include:

[0076] 1. Transmitted harmonics: The harmonic frequencies generated by the LTE transmitter fall within the Wi-Fi receive band.

[0077] 2. Transmit spikes: Spurious emissions from LTE transmitters can interfere with Wi-Fi reception.

[0078] 3. DAC image: Unwanted images generated by the digital-to-analog converter in the LTE transmitter.

[0079] 4.Rx LO harmonics: Harmonic frequencies generated by the local oscillator of the Wi-Fi receiver.

[0080] 5. Aliasing: Unwanted out-of-band signals are folded into the desired signal band due to sampling in the Wi-Fi receiver.

[0081] 6.Rx LO spike: Spurious emission from the local oscillator of the Wi-Fi receiver.

[0082] 7.IM3 (third-order intermodulation): The third-order intermodulation products generated by the Wi-Fi receiver.

[0083] To address these coexistence challenges, device manufacturers have adopted various technologies. One straightforward approach is time division duplexing (TDD), where the user equipment (UE) 104 alternates between Wi-Fi and LTE operations. In this scheme, Wi-Fi operations are temporarily suspended when LTE needs to transmit. The UE 104 then switches back and forth between the two technologies based on current requirements, complying with relevant standards to maintain connectivity with wireless sources such as Wi-Fi routers 122 and LTE base stations 102.

[0084] While TDD effectively eliminates simultaneous operation conflicts, it comes at the expense of reduced overall data throughput because the available time is shared between the two radio technologies. This approach is often acceptable for mid-range and low-end devices, especially when the potential for worst-case interference scenarios is low. These scenarios typically occur when Wi-Fi is operating at the low end of its band (around 5.1GHz) and LTE is operating at the high end of its band (around 4.9GHz), with both radios operating at maximum power due to the distance from their respective access points.

[0085] However, high-end device manufacturers, such as those producing premium smartphones, generally reject the TDD approach and instead opt for solutions that allow Wi-Fi and LTE to operate simultaneously at full capacity. These manufacturers aim to provide a seamless user experience without degrading the performance of either radio technology, even in challenging coexistence scenarios.

[0086] Figure 5 is a diagram 500 illustrating a first architecture designed to address the coexistence challenges between Wi-Fi and LTE / NR technologies in a single device, such as a UE 104. The architecture combines sophisticated filtering and amplification techniques to mitigate interference and optimize the performance of Wi-Fi and cellular communications. Notably, Figure 5 The antenna in the LTE can be shared with LTE or remain independent.

[0087] In the 2.4 GHz portion, the signal path begins at the system on chip (SoC) 506, which contains the initial transmitter 504. The transmitter 504 generates a Wi-Fi signal, but as mentioned previously, this signal may contain unwanted out-of-band emissions that may interfere with LTE / NR operation. To address this, the signal first passes through an external bandpass filter 502 integrated onto the printed circuit board (PCB).

[0088] The function of the bandpass filter 502 is to reject the transmitter's sideband emissions, commonly referred to as "skirts." This filtering action significantly reduces the potential for interference with nearby LTE / NR bands. The filtered signal then enters the front end module (FEM) 508, which is strategically located close to the antenna 514 to minimize signal loss.

[0089] Inside the FEM 508, the signal is further processed. First, it is amplified by an external power amplifier (PA) 510. The PA 510 design provides high linearity and low noise performance, which is critical to maintaining signal integrity and minimizing distortion. Using an external PA allows for higher power output and better thermal management than an integrated PA.

[0090] After amplification, the signal passes through a duplexer 512. The duplexer 512 provides additional filtering, further refining the signal before it reaches the antenna 514. This multi-stage filtering approach, combined with the initial bandpass filter 502 and the duplexer 512, creates a highly effective barrier to out-of-band emissions, significantly reducing the potential for interference with LTE / NR operations.

[0091] The 5GHz portion of the diagram follows a similar signal path, but the components are optimized for the higher frequency range.

[0092] In addition, the LTE / NR bands and Wi-Fi bands are close to each other. For example, the N79 LTE / NR band is close to the 5GHz Wi-Fi band, with only a 260MHz offset between them. Similarly, in the 2.4GHz range, the 40 band of LTE / NR operates at approximately 2.395GHz, with only a narrow 42MHz offset from the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band.

[0093] As a non-limiting example, Figure 5 The architecture shown supports a two-by-two (2x2) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) configuration for Wi-Fi operation. UE 104 contains two complete radio links (transmit and receive) for each Wi-Fi band (2.4GHz and 5GHz), for a total of four streams. Each stream benefits from the advanced filtering and amplification techniques described above, enabling strong Wi-Fi performance even in the presence of strong LTE / NR signals. It is worth noting that this architecture can also be extended or expanded to support n-by-n (nXn, where n is a natural number greater than 2) MIMO configurations. For example, UE 104 may contain three or more transmitters and receivers.

[0094] In the receive path, LTE / NR transmissions can act as a strong source of interference when the UE 104 is in Wi-Fi receive mode. To mitigate this, the receive path includes an external low noise amplifier (LNA) 520 inside the FEM 508. The LNA 520 amplifies the received Wi-Fi signal while adding minimal noise, improving the signal to noise ratio, before further processing.

[0095] After LNA 520, the received signal passes through another instance of filter 502. This post-LNA filtering is intended to attenuate any LTE / NR interferers that may be amplified along with the desired Wi-Fi signal. By suppressing these interferers before the signal reaches SoC 506, the architecture significantly reduces the processing requirements of the Wi-Fi receiver, allowing it to focus on the desired signal rather than fighting strong out-of-band interferers.

[0096] In this first architecture, by using external filters, PA and LNA, the system can achieve higher performance levels than a fully integrated solution.

[0097] However, this performance comes at the expense of increased component count, higher bill of materials (BOM) costs, and larger PCB area requirements. The use of high-quality surface acoustic wave (SAW) or bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filters, especially in the 2.4 GHz path, significantly increases the overall cost but is generally considered necessary for high-end devices where performance is critical.

[0098] Figure 6 is a diagram 600 showing a second architecture of an integrated power amplifier (iPA) 610. This architecture addresses the cost issue of the external power amplifier (ePA) used in the first architecture, e.g. Figure 5 However, the introduction of the iPA 610 brings new challenges in managing signal quality and power efficiency.

[0099] The second architecture includes a SoC 606 with an iPA 610 built in. The SoC 606 integrates the Wi-Fi receiver (WF_5G Rx) and transmitter (WF_5G Tx) circuits. The transmission path starts with the WF_5G Tx signal, which is amplified by the iPA 610 before leaving the SoC 606.

[0100] After leaving the SoC 606, the amplified signal encounters a filter 602. The function of this filter 602 is similar to Figure 5 The filter 502 in FIG. 6 is similar to the filter 502 in FIG. 6 and is designed to suppress out-of-band emissions and reduce potential interference with nearby LTE / NR bands. However, placing this filter 602 after the iPA 610 introduces a significant challenge.

[0101] Filter 602, while effective at attenuating unwanted emissions, also introduces insertion loss to the desired signal. This insertion loss may be as much as about 2 dB, which is equivalent to a power reduction of about 60%. To put this into perspective, if the input signal power is normalized to 1 unit, then only about 0.6 units of power come out of filter 602, and the remaining 0.4 units are lost within the filter.

[0102] This power loss is particularly problematic in the context of linear RF power systems, where maintaining signal integrity and power efficiency is important. Figure 5 , where the filter 502 is located before the ePA 510, allowing the ePA 510 to compensate for insertion loss. Figure 6The second architecture in places the filter 602 after the iPA 610. Therefore, there is no subsequent amplification stage to recover the lost power.

[0103] The impact of this power loss is significant. Reduced signal strength may result in reduced transmission range, lower data rates, and possibly increased power consumption as the device attempts to maintain a reliable connection. Additionally, a weakened signal may be more susceptible to interference and noise, potentially reducing the overall performance of the Wi-Fi system within UE 104.

[0104] To mitigate these issues, filter 602 can be bypassed. However, this approach would reintroduce the coexistence challenges that the filter was designed to address, potentially causing interference with LTE / NR operations. This creates a dilemma: either accept the power loss and its associated performance impact, or risk interference between Wi-Fi and LTE / NR systems.

[0105] Additionally, a switch 613 is included to enable dynamic routing of the signal, potentially allowing for selective use of filter 602 depending on operating conditions. A duplexer 612 provides additional filtering. Antenna 614, as the final component in the signal chain, radiates the Wi-Fi signal into the environment.

[0106] In the receive path, the system employs a low noise amplifier (LNA) 620 to boost the incoming signal while minimizing the added noise. This LNA 620 maintains receiver sensitivity, especially in the presence of strong LTE / NR signals that may act as a source of interference.

[0107] The challenge of coexistence of Wi-Fi and LTE / NR technologies in a single device, such as UE 104, requires innovative solutions, especially in architectures that employ integrated power amplifiers (iPAs).

[0108] This article discloses some solutions to address the coexistence challenges in various scenarios, including:

[0109] (1) Turn on the Wi-Fi transmit stream on an antenna not shared with LTE / NR (this provides an additional 10-15dB of isolation).

[0110] (2) When coexisting with LTE / NR, only the external PA stream is used.

[0111] (3) In the case of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), only MIMO is used for Rx and single-input single-output (SISO) is used for Tx, making the system transition seamless (no need to reassociate with the access point (AP)).

[0112] (4) Dynamically adjust the coexistence thresholds between the above different coexistence schemes based on some specific parameters, including: LTE jammer level, Wi-Fi received signal level (RSSI-Received Signal Strength Indication), and target signal SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio).

[0113] One major advantage of UE 104 in managing coexistence scenarios is its ability to predict when different radio technologies are activated. UE 104 can determine when to turn on LTE / NR, for example, when base station 102 is communicating with it, or when Wi-Fi is activated. This predictive capability enables UE 104 to distinguish between situations that require coexistence management and those that do not.

[0114] In cases where coexistence is not an issue, such as when LTE is not present, no additional filtering is required. Figure 6 , in non-coexistence situations, filter 602 may be bypassed or removed entirely. The filtering provided by duplexer 612 alone is sufficient before the signal is transmitted through antenna 614. This approach minimizes insertion loss and maintains signal strength when additional filtering is not required.

[0115] However, when a coexistence scenario occurs, the Wi-Fi SoC 606 is alerted to the situation. The UE 104 is typically configured in a two-by-two configuration (and eventually nXn), allowing it to operate in single-input single-output (SISO) mode, which uses one stream, or multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mode, which uses two radios to increase throughput and data reception.

[0116] To facilitate Wi-Fi and LTE coexistence, UE 104 can isolate the two frequency bands to prevent interference. This isolation can be achieved by several methods, including applying filters or using separate antennas. During transmission, the signal is transmitted through an isolated path of the antenna to minimize leakage to other antennas.

[0117] In the first solution, a single-input single-output (SISO) configuration has two available radios, each connected to an antenna. Some of these antennas are shared with Long Term Evolution (LTE), while others are not. To provide additional isolation between Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) signals and LTE, a strategy can be used to connect the transmission stream to an antenna that is not shared with LTE, typically the antenna farthest from the LTE radio. This approach can provide approximately 10 to 15 dB of isolation, and in some cases, even up to 20 dB. This level of isolation equates to a significant reduction in interference, with the best case scenario potentially being a 10x reduction.

[0118] Generally, a user equipment (UE) 104 has multiple antennas. A system on a chip (SoC, such as SoC 506 or 606) is located next to one antenna and far away from another antenna. Therefore, these antennas are called near antennas and far antennas, respectively. In a second solution, an internal power amplifier (PA) 610 within SoC 606 may be close to the near antenna, while an external PA may be introduced for the far antenna stream.

[0119] In the coexistence scenario, once LTE is activated, flows containing external PAs, e.g. Figure 5 The PA 510 shown in FIG. 5 can be used to mitigate the adverse effects of the filter 502 implemented for coexistence management. As previously described, when the external PA 510 is located downstream of the filter 502 in the signal transmission flow, it can amplify the signal to compensate for the insertion loss of the filter and then transmit the signal to the antenna 514. Therefore, in coexistence situations, a flow equipped with an external PA is preferred, especially for single-stream operation.

[0120] In the third solution, filters, e.g. Figure 6 Filter 602 shown in FIG. 6 , placed in series with iPA 610 in a stream using iPA, may result in performance degradation. In this case, switching to single stream transmission is implemented for transmission purposes only while maintaining dual stream reception. This approach allows the system to benefit from multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) reception while avoiding the performance loss of filtered iPA transmission in coexistence scenarios.

[0121] In one scenario, the two-by-two mode is used in the absence of LTE interference. When LTE activity suddenly starts, a switch to single-stream transmission is immediately initiated, while reception remains on two streams. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal performance in a changing radio environment.

[0122] Additionally, if a task that uses Wi-Fi is in progress and LTE unexpectedly drops out, the user may notice that their Wi-Fi begins to reassociate with the router. This interruption can be frustrating and detract from the user experience. Ideally, this transition should occur seamlessly. Fortunately, most modern routers are able to facilitate this seamless transition without the need for reassociation, providing a more pleasant and uninterrupted user experience.

[0123] The user equipment (UE) 104 may be capable of implementing one or a combination of these solutions. For example, it may use a stream with an antenna specifically designed to isolate LTE interference, or utilize a stream equipped with an external PA. In a MIMO scenario, the system may dynamically switch to a single-input single-output (SISO) configuration for transmission while maintaining MIMO for reception, enabling single-stream transmission while retaining dual-stream reception capabilities. For example, a SISO transmission may use an antenna not shared with LTE and / or use an external power amplifier (ePA) in its stream.

[0124] The system is agile and can adapt to various coexistence scenarios. In a fourth approach, where Wi-Fi and LTE coexist, where the user equipment (UE) 104 may be operating at the edge of the band, with LTE transmitting at maximum power, or experiencing reduced sensitivity due to distance from the Wi-Fi router, the system can adjust based on thresholds programmed into the firmware. These thresholds can trigger actions as needed, optimizing performance in challenging radio environments.

[0125] The coexistence management system can dynamically adjust its behavior based on several factors, including LTE interferer levels, Wi-Fi received signal levels (RSSI), and target signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This adaptive approach allows the system to find the best balance between interference mitigation and performance optimization.

[0126] Figure 7 700, illustrating a third architecture that integrates an integrated power amplifier (iPA) and an external power amplifier (ePA) to address coexistence challenges between Wi-Fi and LTE / New Radio (NR) technologies in a single device, such as a user equipment (UE) 104. The third architecture has two antennas: a near antenna 714 and a far antenna 764. These antennas are typically located at opposite ends of the user equipment (UE) 104, and the system on chip (SoC) 706 is located next to the near antenna 714.

[0127] For the stream associated with the near antenna 714, the iPA 710 and low noise amplifier (LNA) 724 (i.e., iLNA) are integrated within the SoC 706. This integration provides cost and space advantages for a shorter signal path. In contrast, due to the longer PCB traces to the far antenna 764, an external PA 760 and an LNA 770 external to the SoC 706 (i.e., eLNA) are incorporated into the stream for that antenna. The ePA 760 and eLNA 770 are mounted within a front end module (FEM) directly adjacent to the far antenna 764 to compensate for the longer signal path and potential losses.

[0128] The third architecture adopts a different strategy to manage the coexistence challenges on each antenna path. On the far antenna side (also called the ePA side), the filter 752 is placed before the ePA 760 (i.e., the input side of the ePA 760) in the transmission stream from the SoC 706 to the antenna 764. This configuration allows the ePA 760 to compensate for any insertion loss introduced by the filter 752 while maintaining signal strength and providing the necessary interference suppression. In contrast, in the receive stream from the antenna 764 to the SoC 706, the LNA 770 amplifies the received signal to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Then, after the LNA 520 (i.e., the output side of the eLNA 520), the received signal passes through the filter 752 to attenuate any LTE / NR interferers that may have been amplified along with the desired Wi-Fi signal. It is worth noting that the filter 752 may be a single filter. Alternatively, the filter 752 may be two or more cascaded filters.

[0129] On the near-antenna side (also called the iPA side), the system has a bypass mechanism for filter 702 built in. During transmission, the signal from iPA 710 can bypass filter 702 via path 722, avoiding the associated insertion loss. This bypass maintains the signal strength in the iPA path because there is no subsequent amplification stage to compensate for the filter losses.

[0130] The third architecture can adapt to different coexistence scenarios. In non-coexistence (non-COEX) situations, when LTE / NR interference is not an issue, both antenna paths can be used for transmission. No filtering is required on the iPA side to maximize power efficiency, while the ePA side uses filtered amplification to maintain signal purity and strength.

[0131] In coexistence scenarios, the third architecture adapts by activating only the transmit stream on the ePA side, while no transmission occurs on the iPA side. This strategy leverages the ability of the ePA to compensate for filter losses, ensuring robustness of Wi-Fi transmissions while not impacting LTE / NR operations.

[0132] The system also optimizes its performance based on the antenna sharing configuration. In some user equipment 104 designs, the near antenna 714 may be shared with LTE / NR. In this case, during single-stream operation (one-to-one scenario), the system preferentially activates the far antenna side. This choice takes advantage of the additional isolation (approximately 15dB) provided by the physical separation between the far antenna 764 and the LTE / NR antenna, further reducing potential interference.

[0133] The receive path of the third architecture is designed to effectively handle strong LTE / NR interference. On the near-antenna side, filter 702 is active in the receive stream, after eLNA 720 and before iLNA 724 within SoC 706. This configuration is possible because any losses that occur after LNA 720 can be compensated by subsequent amplification stages in the receive chain. It is worth noting that filter 702 may be a single filter. Alternatively, filter 702 may be two or more cascaded filters.

[0134] When Wi-Fi acts as a receiver (victim) and LTE / NR acts as a transmitter (aggressor), a strong LTE / NR signal may leak into antenna 714, creating a significant source of interference. While duplexer 712 provides some attenuation of LTE / NR interference, it may not be sufficient for very strong signals. External LNA 720 may amplify this interference source as well as the desired Wi-Fi signal. Therefore, the role of filter 702 is to eliminate or significantly reduce the LTE / NR interference source before the signal reaches the Wi-Fi receiver in SoC 706, preventing potential interference or damage.

[0135] The system 700 also takes into account the presence of Bluetooth (BT) technology, which operates in the same 2.4 GHz band as one of the bands of Wi-Fi. To optimize resource usage, the system allows BT to share the same stream with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi when activated. This sharing capability is built into the receiver and transmitter components, allowing Wi-Fi and BT to coexist efficiently in the user device 104.

[0136] In addition, the processor of the user device 104 can decide in real time whether to route data to the near antenna side or the far antenna side based on the current coexistence scenario, LTE / NR interferer level, Wi-Fi received signal strength indication (RSSI) and target signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

[0137] This architecture enables the user device 104 to maintain optimal Wi-Fi performance even in challenging wireless environments where LTE / NR coexistence is an issue. By selectively using the ePA path for transmission in coexistence scenarios, the system avoids the power loss issues associated with filtering in the iPA path. At the same time, it maintains reception diversity and performance by using two antenna paths for reception.

[0138] Figure 8A table 800 is shown outlining various communication configurations for Wi-Fi coexistence (COEX) with LTE / NR in a user equipment (UE) 104. Table 800 provides a comprehensive overview of Wi-Fi's transmit and receive (Tx / Rx) capabilities in different scenarios, with a particular focus on coexistence challenges when Wi-Fi operates in frequency division duplex (FDD) mode in parallel with LTE / NR.

[0139] The first column of table 800 specifies the Wi-Fi Tx / Rx capabilities of different types of stations (STAs). In Wi-Fi terminology, a STA refers to a client device connected to an access point (AP), such as user device 104. Table 800 considers various scenarios, including STAs connected to APs that support or do not support Operation Mode Indication (OMI), and the case where user device 104 acts as a soft AP (hotspot).

[0140] The second column describes the Wi-Fi configuration when FDD COEX and LTE / NR do not involve B40, B41, or N79 bands. In this case, the Wi-Fi and LTE / NR bands are not adjacent and do not significantly interfere with each other. Under these conditions, the user device 104 can operate in 2T2R mode, using two transmit streams and two receive streams. This configuration supports multi-user (MU) and single-user (SU) operation of STAs connected to the AP, with or without OMI support. For soft AP and other features such as Neighbor Aware Network (NAN) and Point-to-Point (P2P), the system only supports 2T2R with SU operation.

[0141] The third column addresses the more challenging scenario of Wi-Fi FDD coexisting with LTE / NR on the B40, B41, or N79 bands. In these cases, the Wi-Fi and LTE / NR bands are adjacent or overlapping, resulting in potential interference. To mitigate this interference, the user device 104 adjusts its operating mode to 1T2R. This adjustment involves disabling one transmit stream, typically the one used by the antenna shared or adjacent to the LTE / NR, while maintaining two receive streams. The remaining active transmit stream uses the antenna farthest from the LTE / NR band or uses an external power amplifier (PA) with an external front end module (FEM). This configuration maintains MU and SU support for STAs connected to the AP, while the soft AP and other functions operate only in SU mode.

[0142] The fourth column of Table 800 outlines the procedures for changing capabilities in different scenarios. For STAs connected to an AP that supports OMI, transitions between different modes (e.g., from 2T2R to 1T2R) can be achieved through OM indications from the MU / SU. This process is defined in IEEE Std 802.11ax-2021 and allows high-efficiency (HE) STAs to change their operating mode settings using the OMI procedure, achieving a seamless transition without disrupting the user experience due to re-association with the Wi-Fi router (AP).

[0143] For STAs connected to an AP that does not support OMI, a capability change requires reassociation. Although this process may take more time and may cause a brief interruption in service, it allows the association attributes of an established association to be changed while the STA remains associated with the same AP, as specified in IEEE Std 802.11-2020.

[0144] Soft AP and other features such as AWDL, NAN, and P2P can transition between 2T and 1T modes without notification, providing a smoother user experience for these scenarios.

[0145] When Wi-Fi FDD coexists with LTE B40 / B41 and / or NR N79, the system selects a single Wi-Fi Tx stream using the eFEM path while maintaining two Wi-Fi Rx streams. This approach optimizes performance by utilizing an external FEM for transmission, which can better handle the filtering and amplification required in coexistence scenarios.

[0146] The OMI procedure, as defined in IEEE Std 802.11ax-2021, allows HE STAs to dynamically change their operating mode settings. This capability is useful in adapting to changing radio environments and coexistence scenarios without having to perform a full reassociation.

[0147] The reassociation process, while potentially disruptive, provides a way to change association properties even if OMI is not supported. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of APs, including older models that may not support the latest Wi-Fi standards.

[0148] The adaptive nature of this system allows UE 104 to maintain optimal Wi-Fi performance in a variety of scenarios. In non-coexistence cases, UE 104 can fully utilize its MIMO capabilities for 2T2R operation. When coexistence challenges arise, especially with B40, B41, or N79 bands, the system intelligently reduces transmit streams while maintaining receive diversity. This approach minimizes interference to LTE / NR operations while maintaining Wi-Fi performance as much as possible.

[0149] Especially for newer APs that support OMI, being able to seamlessly switch between these modes helps maintain a high-quality user experience. Even as UE 104 adapts to the changing radio environment, users can continue their Wi-Fi activities without noticeable interruption. For older APs or scenarios where reassociation is required, the system still provides a way to adapt, although there may be a brief service interruption.

[0150] Table 800 includes Soft AP, AWDL, NAN, and P2P scenarios, allowing for a variety of use cases beyond simple client connections, such as when the UE 104 is acting as a hotspot or engaging in direct device-to-device communications. The ability to maintain SU operation in these scenarios, even during coexistence challenges, allows users to use these features with minimal interruption.

[0151] For example, a user may start a Wi-Fi session at home with no LTE / NR interference, operating in full 2T2R mode. When they move to a location with a stronger LTE / NR signal in an adjacent band, UE 104 can dynamically adjust to 1T2R mode, maintaining connectivity while minimizing interference. This transition can occur without the user's knowledge, preserving the quality of their experience.

[0152] Additionally, in a typical home or office environment, when UE 104 is connected to a standard AP, the system can utilize OMI or reassociation to adapt its capabilities. In mobile scenarios, such as when using UE 104 as a hotspot in a car, the soft AP functionality allows seamless transitions between 2T and 1T modes without notification, adapting to changing LTE / NR conditions as the vehicle moves through different coverage areas.

[0153] Fig. 9 900 is a diagram illustrating an example interaction between a client device 904 and a Wi-Fi router (access point or AP) 902 to change operating modes. The client device 904, which may be a UE 104 acting as a high-efficiency station (HE STA), may change its operating mode configuration through an Operation Mode Indication (OMI) procedure. This procedure, defined in the IEEE 802.11ax-2021 standard (also known as Wi-Fi 6) and continued in Wi-Fi 7, provides a mechanism for STAs to dynamically adjust their capabilities without reassociation.

[0154] The OMI procedure allows for several important adjustments in the operating parameters of the STA. One key capability is the ability to change the number of transmit spatial streams (Tx Nsts) setting. For example, UE 104 can reduce its Tx Nsts from 2 to 1, effectively switching from a 2T2R (two transmit, two receive) configuration to a 1T2R configuration. This adjustment is very useful in coexistence scenarios where UE 104 needs to limit its Wi-Fi transmissions to a single stream to minimize interference with LTE / NR operations.

[0155] At the same time, the OMI procedure allows the UE 104 to indicate to the AP 902 that it can perform uplink multi-user (UL MU) transmissions using a trigger frame (TF). This capability enables the AP 902 to schedule and coordinate UL MU transmissions from multiple STAs, including the UE 104 when the UE 104 has reduced its transmission capacity.

[0156] Another important feature of the OMI procedure is the option to completely disable the UL MU capability. In scenarios where UL MU operation may be challenging due to interference or other factors, the UE 104 can inform the AP 902 that it will only use contention-based transmissions. This fallback to traditional contention-based access can help maintain reliable communications in challenging radio environments.

[0157] First, it allows UE 104 to inform AP 902 of its new transmission capabilities (e.g., switching from 2T2R to 1T2R) while maintaining a stable connection. This is especially important in coexistence scenarios where UE 104 needs to quickly adapt to the presence of LTE / NR signals in adjacent frequency bands.

[0158] The non-reassociation nature of the OMI process enables dynamic configuration adjustments to be made without causing service interruption. For the user of the user equipment (UE) 104, this means that transitions between different operating modes can be seamless without noticeable gaps in connectivity or performance. This transition is very valuable for applications that require constant connectivity, such as voice calls or video streaming.

[0159] Making these adjustments without the need for reassociation also improves user satisfaction, especially for customers who demand the best performance from their devices under all conditions. For example, in a coexistence scenario, UE 104 can quickly switch to 1T2R mode when LTE / NR activity is detected in an adjacent band, and then revert to 2T2R mode when interference subsides, all without any perceptible disruption to the user's Wi-Fi experience.

[0160] The OMI process is implemented by transmitting the OM Control subfield in certain Wi-Fi frames. Fig. 9Includes a representation of the control information subfield format in the OM control subfield defined in the IEEE802.11ax-2021 standard. This subfield includes multiple fields that allow the STA to communicate its desired operating mode change to the AP.

[0161] The Rx NSS field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams that the STA can receive. The Channel Width field specifies the operating channel width that the STA will use. When the UL MU Disable field is set, it indicates that the STA is disabling its UL MU operation. The Tx NSTS field specifies the maximum number of space-time streams that the STA will use for transmission. The other fields provide information about the extended range SU mode, downlink MU-MIMO capability, and UL MU-MIMO capability.

[0162] By utilizing these fields, the UE 104 can accurately communicate its desired mode of operation to the AP 902, allowing fine-grained control of its Wi-Fi capabilities based on various factors, including coexistence requirements with LTE / NR systems.

[0163] The OMI process may be backward compatible. When communicating with an older AP that does not support OMI, the UE 104 may fall back to the traditional reassociation method to change its operating mode. This backward compatibility allows the UE 104 to maintain optimal performance across a wide range of Wi-Fi networks, from the latest Wi-Fi 6 and 7 deployments to older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) networks.

[0164] For example, in the event that UE 104 detects increased LTE / NR activity in an adjacent band, it can quickly use the OMI process to switch to 1T2R mode, selecting a Wi-Fi transmission stream that is farther from the LTE / NR antenna or a Wi-Fi transmission stream that uses an external power amplifier. This adjustment can be made within milliseconds, allowing UE 104 to proactively avoid potential interference issues.

[0165] Furthermore, the OMI process allows for more nuanced adaptations beyond simple traffic reduction. UE 104 can adjust its channel width, potentially moving to a narrower channel that is less susceptible to interference from adjacent bands. It can also modify its ULMU behavior, either enabling it to participate in coordinated UL MU transmissions that may be more interference-resistant, or disabling it when necessary, falling back to more robust single-user transmissions.

[0166] As UE 104 moves through environments with varying levels of LTE / NR activity and Wi-Fi signal strength, it can continually adjust its operating mode to maintain optimal performance. This dynamic behavior allows transitions between different coexistence strategies, enabling UE 104 to use the most appropriate configuration for the current radio environment.

[0167] More specifically, when transitioning from a 2T2R configuration to a 1T2R configuration to avoid interference with LTE / NR bands B40, B41, or N79, the UE 104 may need to reassociate with the AP 902. This reassociation allows the UE 104 to inform the AP 902 of its new capabilities without completely disconnecting and reconnecting to the network.

[0168] However, as mentioned previously, the OMI procedure provides a mechanism for a STA to dynamically adjust its operating parameters without having to perform a full reassociation. This OMI procedure, which will occur after the initial association, allows for a more rapid and seamless adaptation to a changing radio environment.

[0169] Modifying operating parameters without requiring a full reassociation is very valuable in scenarios where UE 104 frequently needs to adjust its Wi-Fi configuration based on different LTE / NR activities. By avoiding the time-consuming process of reassociation, UE 104 can maintain a more stable and responsive Wi-Fi connection, thereby enhancing the user experience in challenging radio environments.

[0170] Fig.10 1 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for addressing coexistence challenges. The process involves interaction between multiple wireless sources, such as multiple base stations 102, communication satellites 112, wireless routers 122 or Wi-Fi access points (APs) 132, and UEs, such as UE 104.

[0171] At block 1002, the UE 104 may identify the coexistence of multiple communication instances that interfere with each other.

[0172] Then, at block 1004, the UE 104 may determine a coexistence scheme based on the current scenario and the capabilities of the UE 104. In some embodiments, the coexistence scheme may be determined based on at least one of: a long term evolution (LTE), a new radio (NR), or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) interferer level, an LTE, NR, or Wi-Fi received signal strength indication (RSSI), or a target signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

[0173] Finally, at block 1006, UE 104 may adjust execution of the multiple communication instances based on the coexistence scheme. In some embodiments, adjusting execution of the multiple communication instances may include selecting a Wi-Fi transmission stream that uses an antenna farther from the LTE antenna or utilizes an external power amplifier.

[0174] In some embodiments, the coexistence scheme may include a plurality of coexistence schemes, and the execution of the plurality of communication instances may be coordinated based on at least one of the plurality of coexistence schemes.

[0175] In some embodiments, when UE 104 is equipped with multiple antennas for a communication instance, an antenna from among the multiple antennas that is not shared with another communication instance that interferes with the communication instance may be selected to perform the execution of the communication instance. For example, the antenna that is not shared with another communication instance may include an antenna that is farthest from the other communication instance.

[0176] In certain embodiments, when a communication instance includes a Wi-Fi instance, as an adjustment performed, a Wi-Fi transmission stream may be enabled on an antenna that is not shared with another communication instance.

[0177] In some embodiments, the user equipment (UE) 104 may include an external power amplifier (ePA) located outside the system on chip (SoC), an external low noise amplifier (eLNA) located outside the SoC, and an external filter located outside the SoC; in a receive stream from the antenna to the SoC, the filter may be located between the eLNA and the SoC, and in a transmit stream from the SoC to the antenna, the filter may be located between the SoC and the ePA.

[0178] In some embodiments, the user equipment (UE) 104 may support a single-input single-output (SISO) configuration and a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) configuration, and when the user equipment is in the MIMO configuration, as another adjustment performed, the MIMO configuration may be maintained when receiving while converting the MIMO configuration to the SISO configuration when transmitting. In some embodiments, when converting the MIMO configuration to the SISO configuration for transmission, the user equipment (UE) 104 may select a transmission stream that uses at least one antenna and an external power amplifier (ePA) that are not shared with another communication instance.

[0179] In certain embodiments, the user equipment (UE) 104 may not re-associate with the access point (AP) when converting the MIMO configuration to a SISO configuration for transmission.

[0180] In some embodiments, the process may further include dynamically adjusting a coexistence threshold between the plurality of different coexistence schemes based on a specific parameter. For example, the coexistence threshold may be programmed into the firmware of the user equipment (UE) 104. For example, the specific parameter may include an LTE interferer level, a Wi-Fi received signal level, or a target signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

[0181] In some embodiments, the plurality of communication instances may include a Wi-Fi instance and a cellular radio instance. For example, the cellular radio may include an LTE or an NR. For example, the Wi-Fi instance may include at least one 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi instance and a 5 GHz / 6 GHz Wi-Fi instance.

[0182] In some embodiments, the user equipment (UE) 104 may include an integrated power amplifier (iPA), an integrated low noise amplifier (iLNA), an external low noise amplifier (eLNA), and an external power amplifier (ePA).

[0183] In some embodiments, the filter may be located between the eLNA and the iLNA in the eLNA receive flow from the antenna to the iLNA, while the filter may be bypassed in the iPA transmit flow from the iPA to the antenna.

[0184] In some embodiments, filters may be located at the input of the ePA and at the output of the eLNA in both the eLNA receive stream from the antenna to the eLNA and the ePA transmit stream from the ePA to the antenna.

[0185] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the process / flow chart disclosed herein is an example of an exemplary method. Based on design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the process / flow chart can be rearranged. In addition, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying method claims present the elements of each block in an exemplary order and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0186] The foregoing description is provided to enable any skilled person to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications of these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects. Therefore, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown here, but to be given the full scope according to the language of the claims, wherein the singular reference to an element does not mean "only one" unless specifically stated, but means "one or more". The word "exemplary" used herein means "as an example, instance or illustration". Any aspect described as "exemplary" is not necessarily interpreted as being superior to other aspects. Unless otherwise specified, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as "at least one A, B or C", "one or more A, B or C", "at least one A, B and C", "one or more A, B and C" and "A, B, C or any combination" include any combination of A, B and / or C, and may include multiple A, multiple B or multiple C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one A, B, or C," "one or more A, B, or C," "at least one A, B and C," "one or more A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination" may be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B and C, wherein any such combination may contain one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure, which are known or later become known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and are intended to be covered by the claims. In addition, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly reviewed in the claims, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be contributed to the public. The words "module," "mechanism," "element," "device," and the like may not be substitutes for "means." Therefore, unless the element is explicitly stated using the "means for" phrase, no claim element should be interpreted as containing means for adding functions.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method of a user equipment (UE), comprising: Identify the coexistence of multiple mutually interfering communication instances; Determine a coexistence solution based on the current scenario and the capabilities of the UE; as well as Execution of the plurality of communication instances is adjusted according to the coexistence scheme.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the coexistence scheme comprises a plurality of coexistence schemes, and performing the adjustment of the plurality of communication instances is based on at least one of the plurality of coexistence schemes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein when the UE is equipped with multiple antennas for a communication instance, an antenna from the multiple antennas that is not shared with another communication instance that interferes with the communication instance is selected to perform execution of the communication instance.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the antenna not shared with another communication instance comprises an antenna farthest from the other communication instance.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein when one communication instance comprises a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) instance, adjusting comprises enabling a Wi-Fi transmission flow on an antenna not shared with another communication instance.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE comprises an external power amplifier (ePA) located outside a system on chip (SoC), an external low noise amplifier (eLNA) located outside the SoC, and an external filter located outside the SoC; in a receive stream from an antenna to the SoC, the filter is located between the eLNA and the SoC, and in a transmit stream from the SoC to the antenna, the filter is located between the SoC and the ePA.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE supports a single-input single-output (SISO) configuration and a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) configuration, and when the UE is in a MIMO configuration, the adjusting comprises maintaining the MIMO configuration during reception while converting the MIMO configuration to a SISO configuration during transmission.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the UE does not reassociate with an access point (AP) when converting the MIMO configuration to the SISO configuration of transmission.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein when converting the MIMO configuration to the SISO configuration of the transmission, the UE selects a transmission stream that uses at least one of the following: an antenna that is not shared with another communicating instance; and An external power amplifier (ePA).

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The coexistence thresholds between multiple different coexistence schemes are dynamically adjusted according to a specific parameter. The method of claim 10 , wherein the coexistence threshold is programmed into firmware of the UE.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of communication instances include a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) instance and a cellular radio instance.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the cellular radio comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) or a New Radio (NR).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the specific parameter comprises a LTE interferer level, a Wi-Fi received signal level, or a target signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the Wi-Fi instance comprises at least one 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi instance and a 5 GHz / 6 GHz Wi-Fi instance.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE comprises an integrated power amplifier (iPA), an integrated low noise amplifier (iLNA), an external low noise amplifier (eLNA), and an external power amplifier (ePA).

17. The method of claim 16, wherein in an eLNA receive flow from the antenna to the iLNA, the filter is located between the eLNA and the iLNA, and in an iPA transmit flow from the iPA to the antenna, the filter is bypassed.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein filters are located at an input of the ePA and at an output of the eLNA in an eLNA receive stream from the antenna to the eLNA and in an ePA transmit stream from the ePA to the antenna.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein coordinating execution of multiple communication instances comprises: Select a Wi-Fi stream that uses an antenna that is farther away from the LTE antenna or a Wi-Fi stream that utilizes an external power amplifier.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the coexistence scheme is determined based on at least one of: a long term evolution (LTE), a new radio (NR), or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) interferer level, an LTE, NR, or Wi-Fi received signal strength indication (RSSI), or a target signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

21. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus being a user equipment (UE), comprising: A memory; as well as At least one is connected to the memory and is configured to: Identify the coexistence of multiple mutually interfering communication instances; Determine a coexistence solution based on the current scenario and UE capabilities; and Execution of multiple communication instances is coordinated according to a coexistence scheme.

22. A computer readable medium storing computer executable code for wireless communication of a user equipment (UE), comprising: Identify the coexistence of multiple communication instances that interfere with each other; Determine a coexistence solution based on the current scenario and UE capabilities; and Execution of multiple communication instances is coordinated according to a coexistence scheme.

Images