Wireless communication device and method

Abstract

A wireless communication device and method are provided. A beamformed sounding signal is received. An updated channel profile is generated from the beamformed sounding signal. A determination is made as to whether interference is detected. Upon detection of interference, a previous channel profile used in a previous sounding is transmitted, or upon non-detection of interference, the updated channel profile is transmitted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a wireless communication device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Wi-Fi beamforming operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band, but faces potential problems due to interference from other wireless technologies. The 2.4 GHz ISM band is a frequency range shared by multiple wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (BT), and ZigBee. These different protocols can operate in overlapping frequency channels and transmit data at any time, potentially leading to interference.

[0003] Beamforming is a technique in Wi-Fi used to direct wireless signals to a specific device (STA) instead of broadcasting them in all directions. To perform beamforming, an Access Point (AP) sends a probe signal to the STA, which then analyzes the signal and sends a channel profile (feedback) back to the AP. The AP then uses this feedback to adjust its signal transmission, optimizing direction and strength for better range and performance.

[0004] Because other wireless devices (such as Bluetooth or ZigBee) can also transmit simultaneously on the same frequency, their signals may collide with the Wi-Fi beamforming detection signal. This interference can cause the STA to misinterpret the Wi-Fi signal, leading it to send incorrect channel profile feedback to the AP. If the AP receives incorrect feedback, it will perform beamforming in the wrong direction or with incorrect parameters, which may degrade performance rather than improve it.

[0005] Beamforming can significantly improve Wi-Fi range and signal quality, but in the congested 2.4 GHz band, interference from other wireless devices can affect the process. If the channel profile feedback is inaccurate, beamforming may fail, or even result in performance worse than not using it at all.

[0006] Furthermore, some coexisting applications may access this channel very frequently but only briefly. Constantly requesting the AP not to send packets could lead to a decrease in overall throughput. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to one embodiment, a wireless communication method is provided. The wireless communication method includes: receiving a beamforming probe signal; generating an updated channel profile based on the beamforming probe signal; determining whether interference is detected; and, if interference is detected, transmitting a previous channel profile used in the previous probe, or if interference is not detected, transmitting the updated channel profile.

[0008] According to another embodiment, a wireless communication device is provided. The wireless communication device includes: a wireless transceiver module for transmitting and receiving wireless signals from other wireless devices; and a controller connected to and controlling the wireless transceiver module. The controller is configured to: receive a beamforming detection signal; generate an updated channel profile based on the beamforming detection signal; determine whether interference is detected; and, if interference is detected, transmit the previous channel profile used in the previous detection, or if no interference is detected, transmit the updated channel profile.

[0009] In the event of a collision, instead of transmitting inaccurate data, in one implementation of the application, the STA reuses the last valid channel profile from the most recent probe that did not experience a collision. This ensures that the AP can receive reliable data even if the last valid channel profile is slightly outdated, allowing reasonable beamforming performance to be maintained until a new valid probe is successful. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 A wireless communication device according to one embodiment of this application is shown.

[0011] Figure 2 A wireless communication method according to one embodiment of this application is shown.

[0012] Figure 3 Wireless communication in one embodiment of this application is shown.

[0013] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth for purposes of explanation in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown schematically for the purpose of simplifying the drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The technical terminology used in this disclosure is based on general definitions within the technical field. If this disclosure describes or interprets one or more terms, the definition of the term is based on that description or interpretation. Each disclosed embodiment has one or more technical features. In possible implementations, those skilled in the art may selectively implement some or all of the technical features of any embodiment of this disclosure, or selectively combine some or all of the technical features of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0015] The AP sends probe signals at fixed, regular intervals (e.g., every few milliseconds). This continuous repetition helps the system track changes in the channel (e.g., device movement or environmental factors).

[0016] In the event of a collision, instead of transmitting inaccurate data, in one implementation of the application, the STA reuses the last valid channel profile from the most recent probe that did not experience a collision. This ensures that the AP can receive reliable data even if the last valid channel profile is slightly outdated, allowing reasonable beamforming performance to be maintained until a new valid probe is successful.

[0017] Figure 1 A wireless communication device is shown in one embodiment of the application. According to one embodiment of the application, the wireless communication device 100 includes a wireless transceiver module 110 and a controller 120. According to one embodiment of the application, the wireless communication device 100 includes, for example but not limited to, a workstation with beamforming capabilities.

[0018] The wireless transceiver module 110 is connected to the controller 120.

[0019] The wireless transceiver module 110 is used to transmit and receive wireless signals from other wireless devices.

[0020] The controller 120 is used to control the wireless transceiver module 110 based on the wireless signals received by the wireless transceiver module 110. Furthermore, the controller 120 performs a wireless communication method based on the wireless signals received by the wireless transceiver module 110 and whether interference is detected.

[0021] Figure 2 A wireless communication method is shown in one embodiment of the application.

[0022] In step 210, the workstation receives a beamforming detection signal from the AP.

[0023] In step 215, the workstation generates an updated channel profile based on the beamforming probe signal.

[0024] In step 220, the workstation determines whether interference has been detected. In possible implementations, interference detection includes, for example, but not limited to, detecting interference from at least one coexisting wireless signal, including Bluetooth (BT) signals, ZigBee signals, Wi-Fi signals, and PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Rapid Edition) signals, etc. If step 220 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 230. If step 220 is negative, the process proceeds to step 240.

[0025] In step 230, in response to detected interference, the workstation sends the previous channel profile used in the last probe. For example, but not limited to, in step 230, the workstation performs beamforming channel profile engine locking and sends the previous channel profile used in the last probe that did not experience a collision. That is, in one embodiment of the application, when the channel profile engine is locked, the workstation does not update the channel profile, but instead sends the previous channel profile from the workstation to the AP.

[0026] In step 240, in response to no interference detected, the workstation sends an updated channel profile. For example, but not limited to, in step 240, the workstation performs beamforming channel profile engine unlocking and sends an updated beamforming channel profile. That is, in one embodiment of the application, when the channel profile engine is unlocked, the workstation updates the channel profile, and the updated channel profile is sent from the workstation to the AP.

[0027] In step 250, the workstation replies with beamforming channel information (whether it is the previous channel information (step 230) or the updated beamforming channel information (step 240)) to the AP.

[0028] Figure 3 The illustration shows wireless communication in one embodiment of the application. At time 310, the AP sends a beamforming probe signal to the workstation. At time 320, because the workstation does not detect interference, it replies with an updated beamforming channel profile. Figure 2 Step 240) is given to AP.

[0029] At time 330, the AP again sends a beamforming probe signal to the work station. At time 340, because the work station detects interference, the work station replies with its previous beamforming channel profile at time 350. Figure 2 Step 230) is given to AP.

[0030] At time 360, the AP sends a beamforming probe signal to the work station. At time 370, because the work station does not detect interference, it replies with an updated beamforming channel profile. Figure 2 Step 240) is given to AP.

[0031] As described above, since beamforming detection typically sends probes at fixed intervals, when beamforming detection signals collide with signals from other wireless devices, in one embodiment of the application, the wireless communication device continues to use the last detection result that did not experience a collision and returns it to the AP.

[0032] In one embodiment of the application, this fallback mechanism restores the previously non-collision beamforming channel profile to the AP when any interference is detected, thereby preventing incorrect beamforming adjustments that could degrade signal quality.

[0033] In one embodiment of the application, the application can still benefit from beamforming gain. Notably, the wireless communication method in one embodiment of the application helps to avoid poor beamforming quality throughout the entire detection period (e.g., 500 ms).

[0034] The above description primarily focuses on the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application from the perspective of wireless communication. It is understood that to achieve the above functions, the wireless communication device includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules that perform the functions. Those skilled in the art can readily recognize that the units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. Whether the function is executed by hardware or by software-driven hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the functions described in each specific application without departing from the scope of this application.

[0035] In one embodiment of this application, the wireless communication device can be divided into functional modules based on the above-described method example. It should be noted that the module division in this embodiment is merely an example, representing a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods can be used.

[0036] While many specific details are described in this document, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention, but rather as descriptions of features of particular embodiments. Certain features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in combination in that single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments. Furthermore, although features may initially be described as functioning in certain combinations, or even initially shown as such, in some cases one or more features may be removed from the combination, and the described combination may be for sub-combinations or variations thereof. Similarly, although operations are depicted in the illustrations as occurring in a specific order, this should not be construed as requiring these operations to be performed in the specific order or sequence shown, or that all depicted operations must be performed to achieve the desired result.

[0037] While the above embodiments disclose some examples and implementations, changes, modifications and enhancements can be made to the described examples and implementations, as well as other implementations based on the disclosure.

[0038] In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

[0039] Various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments by those skilled in the art. This specification and examples are to be considered merely exemplary, and the true scope of disclosure is indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method applied to a wireless device, the wireless communication method comprising: Receive beamforming detection signals; An updated channel profile is generated based on the beamforming detection signal; Determine if interference has been detected; as well as If interference is detected, send the previous channel profile used in the last probe; if no interference is detected, send the updated channel profile.

2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether interference is detected includes: Detect interference from at least one coexisting wireless signal, including Bluetooth BT signals, ZigBee signals, Wi-Fi signals, and PCIe signals.

3. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein upon detection of interference, beamforming channel profile engine locking is performed to transmit the previous channel profile used in the previous probe.

4. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein when no interference is detected, beamforming channel profile engine unlocking is performed to send updated channel profile.

5. A wireless communication device, comprising: A wireless transceiver module for transmitting and receiving wireless signals from other wireless devices; and A controller connected to and controlling the wireless transceiver module. The controller is configured as follows: Receive beamforming detection signals; An updated channel profile is generated based on the beamforming detection signal; Determine if interference is detected; and If interference is detected, send the previous channel profile used in the last probe; if no interference is detected, send the updated channel profile.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 5, wherein when determining whether interference is detected, the controller is configured to: Detect interference from at least one coexisting wireless signal, including Bluetooth BT signals, ZigBee signals, Wi-Fi signals, and PCIe signals.

7. The wireless communication device of claim 5, wherein upon detection of interference, the controller performs beamforming channel profile engine locking to control the wireless transceiver module to transmit the previous channel profile used in the previous probe.

8. The wireless communication device of claim 5, wherein when no interference is detected, the controller performs beamforming channel profile engine unlocking to control the wireless transceiver module to send updated channel profiles.

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