Improving the performance of a wireless local area network during a periodic announcement-with-response protocol

Abstract

Methods and systems for improving the performance of a wireless local area network during a periodic advertisement-with-response protocol. The disclosed method includes, among other things, receiving, by a wireless local area network (WLAN) subsystem of a wireless device, a signal associated with a sub-event of an advertisement event from a wireless personal area network (WPAN) subsystem of the wireless device, wherein the WLAN subsystem and the WPAN subsystem share a frequency band, determining whether a priority bit associated with the sub-event indicates whether an empty payload is being transmitted during the sub-event, and responsive to determining that the priority bit indicates that an empty payload is being transmitted during the sub-event, utilizing, by the WLAN subsystem, the frequency band for a predetermined period of time assigned to the sub-event.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates to wireless devices and, more particularly, to improving the performance of a wireless local area network during a periodic advertisement-with-response protocol. BACKGROUND

[0002] Multiple wireless devices using different communication protocols can share a common wireless medium. For example, wireless personal area network (WPAN) technologies, including Bluetooth® (BT), Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee®, infrared, and wireless local area network (WLAN), including Wi-Fi™, share a common wireless medium in a specific gigahertz (GHz) frequency band. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0003] Aspects and implementations of the present disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings of various aspects and implementations of the disclosure, which, however, should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to the specific aspects or implementations, but are provided for purposes of explanation and understanding. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an example wireless system according to implementations of the present disclosure. Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B is an example diagram of a Periodic Advertisement with Responses (PAWR) event and sub-event according to implementations of the present disclosure. Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B illustrate a partial event over a shared medium according to implementations of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method for improving the performance of a wireless local area network during a periodic advertisement-with-response protocol according to implementations of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0004] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to improving the performance of a wireless local area network during a periodic advertisement-with-response protocol. Coexistence refers to when a WLAN subsystem coexists with another wireless technology (e.g., WPAN subsystem) in a shared environment, possibly on a single piece of hardware or in close proximity. Due to the coexistence of the WLAN subsystem and the WPAN subsystem, their respective radios may interfere with each other when transmitting data on the same channel or overlapping channels of an industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) frequency band or other frequency bands (e.g., a shared medium). Increasing passive isolation can improve coexistence performance but comes with costs in terms of device size, cost, and power consumption.Integrating greater passive isolation is becoming increasingly difficult due to the constant drive to reduce device sizes. Passive isolation is a method of reducing interference between wireless devices by physically separating them or by using shielding materials to block the transmission of radio waves. Typically, time-division multiplexing (TDM) is implemented on WLAN and WPAN subsystems that have controllers with low passive isolation to manage coexistence. Specifically, TDM refers to a method of dividing the channel used by both the WLAN subsystem and the WPAN subsystem into time slots and assigning a specific time slot to each device (e.g., WLAN and WPAN subsystem) to transmit. This prevents WLAN and WPAN subsystems from interfering with each other, even if they operate on the same radio channel.

[0005] In some cases, the WPAN subsystem may use Periodic Advertisement with Responses (PAwR) to establish communication between devices and exchange information. PAwR is an energy-efficient communication technique used in WPAN subsystems to enable communication between an advertiser and observers without the need for continuous beaconing. An advertisement event can be divided into numerous sub-events. Each sub-event includes an advertisement phase and a response phase. During the advertisement phase, the WPAN subsystem (e.g., the advertiser) transmits an advertisement packet containing payload data. The payload contains all the necessary information for other devices (e.g.,The observers (or observers) identify the advertiser, determine its capabilities, and establish a communication link at the desired data rate. During the response phase, the WPAN subsystem listens for response packets after transmitting the advertisement packet. Each sub-event is assigned a predetermined time duration. This is because PAwR is a time-synchronized protocol, meaning all WPAN subsystems must operate on the same clock to ensure this timing of expected advertisement packets and response packets. The specific duration of each sub-event can be defined by the PAwR protocol specification.

[0006] In some cases, the payload of the advertisement packet transmitted during an advertisement phase of a sub-event may be new payload, previously unacknowledged payload, or empty payload. The new payload may be used to provide new information or updated information about the advertiser's capabilities. The previously unacknowledged payload may be used to increase the probability that other WPAN subsystems receive the full payload, especially when the payload contains large amounts of data. The empty payload may be used to announce the presence of the WPAN subsystem to other WPAN subsystems without transmitting additional information. During a sub-event in which the advertisement packet contains empty payload (e.g.By transmitting an empty payload announcement packet (an empty payload announcement packet) during the announcement phase, the WLAN subsystem can utilize a time period allocated to the response phase, since no response packet is expected from other WPAN subsystems. This approach offers some advantage; however, WLAN performance can be further improved. In particular, the announcement phase, during which the empty payload announcement packet is transmitted, can utilize anywhere between 44 µs and 800 µs of the shared medium that could be allocated to the WLAN subsystem.

[0007] Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure address these and other limitations of existing technology by determining, in response to a request for use of the shared medium by the WPAN subsystem for advertisement events, whether to provide use of the shared medium by the WPAN subsystem. For each advertisement event sub-event associated with a request for use of the shared medium, the WLAN subsystem determines whether a priority bit, which can be modified by the WPAN subsystem, indicates that an advertisement packet of the respective sub-event comprising an empty payload will be transmitted during the respective sub-event.In response to determining that the priority bit indicates that the sub-event advertisement packet comprising an empty payload is being transmitted during the respective sub-event, the WLAN subsystem does not provide the shared medium to the WPAN subsystem, but rather uses the shared medium for a predetermined time period assigned to the sub-event. Otherwise, the WLAN subsystem provides the shared medium to the WPAN subsystem for the predetermined time period assigned to the sub-event.

[0008] Aspects of the present disclosure address these and other deficiencies by providing other wireless devices, such as WLAN subsystems, with more access to the shared medium when the WPAN subsystem is operating in PAwR, thereby increasing WLAN performance without degrading the performance of the WPAN subsystem.

[0009] Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless device 100 according to implementations of the present disclosure. The wireless device 100 may include a WLAN subsystem 120, a WPAN subsystem 170, and an interface 160 that facilitates coexistence.

[0010] The WLAN subsystem 120 includes, but is not limited to, a radio frequency (RF) front-end circuit 122, a physical layer (PHY) 124, a media access control (MAC) layer 126, a memory 130, and a processor 140.

[0011] The RF 122 is responsible for handling the radio signals involved in WLAN communication. The RF 122 is coupled to one or more antennas of the wireless device 100, which receives and transmits radio signals. The RF 122 may further include, but is not limited to, a low-noise amplifier (LNA), a power amplifier, one or more filters, and one or more switches. The LNA is used to amplify the weak signals received by the antenna without significantly increasing the noise. The power amplifier increases the power of the signal to be transmitted by the antenna, ensuring that it is strong enough to reach the intended receiver. The one or more filters select the appropriate frequency bands, such as 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.The one or more switches alternate between transmit and receive modes in cases where a single antenna is used for both transmit and receive. In some embodiments, the RF 122 may be a single component for multiple frequency bands or multiple components for each of the frequency bands.

[0012] The PHY 124 is configured to transmit and receive radio signals over a frequency band (e.g., 2.4 GHz and / or 5 GHz bands). Additionally, the PHY 124 is responsible for modulating data bits into a radio signal that can be transmitted, coordinating channel access with other wireless devices (e.g., WLAN subsystems or WPAN subsystems), and detecting / correcting errors that may occur during transmission. The MAC 126 is responsible for managing and maintaining wireless communications, such as Wi-Fi™.Specifically, the MAC 126 encapsulates data into frames with specific MAC addresses for transmission and decapsulation, employs a protocol to manage media access and minimize data transmission collisions, implements power-saving protocols to manage network interface power usage, and manages fair bandwidth allocation among all connected devices, among other responsibilities. The processor 140 is responsible for executing instructions stored in memory 130. The instructions manage, among other things, communication protocols, processing signals, coexistence strategies, etc. The memory 130 includes, but is not limited to, one or more volatile memories and / or non-volatile memories used to store instructions, firmware, operational data, etc.

[0013] The WPAN subsystem 170 includes, but is not limited to, an RF 172, a PHY 174, a link controller 176, a memory 178, and a processor 180. The processor 180 is responsible for executing instructions stored in memory 178. The memory 178 includes, but is not limited to, one or more volatile memories and / or non-volatile memories.

[0014] The RF 172, similar to the RF 122 of the WLAN subsystem 120, is responsible for handling the radio signals involved in WPAN communication (e.g., Bluetooth® (BT), BLE, Zigbee®, Z-wave™, and the like). In some embodiments, the RF 172 is coupled to an antenna of the one or more antennas of the wireless device 100 that receives and transmits radio signals. In some embodiments, the RF 172 is coupled to an antenna separate from the one or more antennas of the wireless device 100 that are coupled to the RF 122 of the WLAN subsystem 120. The RF 122 may further include, but is not limited to, a low-noise amplifier (LNA), a power amplifier, one or more filters, and one or more switches. The LNA is used to amplify the weak signals received by the antenna without significantly increasing the noise.The power amplifier increases the power of the signal to be transmitted by the antenna, ensuring it is strong enough to reach the intended receiver. The one or more filters ensure that the WPAN subsystem 170 operates within its designated frequency band (e.g., 2.4 GHz band) and minimizes interference from other RF sources. The one or more switches alternate between transmit and receive modes in cases where a single antenna is used for both transmit and receive.

[0015] The PHY 174 is configured to transmit and receive radio signals over a frequency band (e.g., 2.4 GHz) to enable wireless communication between other WPAN subsystems and / or WLAN subsystems. The PHY 174 uses a variety of modulation schemes to achieve specific data rates and employs various techniques to improve communication reliability, such as error detection and correction, frequency hopping, and time division duplexing. The link controller 176 implements a link layer of a WPAN protocol stack and is responsible for transmitting and receiving data packets, managing the physical connection, and handling errors. The link controller 176 interacts with a link manager stored in memory 178 and used to implement power-saving and security aspects of the link-layer protocol.Thus, the connection manager provides information about the connection status and to receive instructions.

[0016] The WPAN protocol stack includes lower layers implemented by various components of the WPAN subsystem and / or device, and higher layers implemented by a host. The lower layers include, for example, the physical layer implemented by the PHY 174 and the link layer implemented by the link controller 176. The higher layers include, for example, a Logical Link Control and Adaptation Layer (L2CAP), an Attribute Protocol Layer (ATT), a Generic Attribute Profile Layer (GATT), an Security Manager Protocol Layer (SMP), and a Generic Access Profile Layer (GAP). The L2CAP layer provides critical services for communication between WPAN subsystems and / or devices.The ATT layer provides a standardized approach for accessing and manipulating data on WPAN subsystems and / or devices. The GATT layer defines a hierarchical structure of attributes organized into services and features, providing a consistent and organized way to access and manipulate data related to specific WPAN applications. The SMP layer secures communication between WPAN subsystems and / or devices by establishing secure connections and protecting data from unauthorized access. The GAP layer facilitates basic communication and discovery for subsystems and / or devices by providing essential services, common features, and advertising and sensing capabilities.

[0017] The PAwR, as previously described, is implemented by the link layer. Specifically, the link layer is responsible for transmitting and receiving Periodic Advertisement packets and Periodic Advertisement Response packets. The connection manager determines when to initiate a Periodic Advertisement event and sends a command to the link layer. The link layer then generates and transmits a Periodic Advertisement packet containing information about the WPAN subsystem. Other WPAN subsystems and / or devices can receive the Periodic Advertisement packet and respond with a Periodic Advertisement Response packet.

[0018] Interface 160 refers to a communication protocol used to facilitate the coexistence of WLAN subsystem 120 and WPAN subsystem 170, particularly in situations where WLAN subsystem 120 and WPAN subsystem 170 operate in overlapping frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz band), referred to herein as "a shared medium." Interface 160 may be, for example, a 2-Wire Serial Enhanced Coexistence Interface (SECI) or a 3-Wire Generic Coexistence Interface (GCI). Interface 160 serves as communication channels between WLAN subsystem 120 and WPAN subsystem 170, allowing them to coordinate their operations, particularly managing transmission timing, power levels, and channel selection.

[0019] For example, while WLAN subsystem 120 is using the shared medium, WPAN subsystem 170 may assert the RF (e.g., RF 172) as active (i.e., RF active assertion (RFA)). Asserting the RFA by WPAN subsystem 170 includes transmitting a signal over interface 160 associated with an active state set to logic high (1). The RFA may be asserted by WPAN subsystem 170 a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 100 µs) prior to a WPAN activity (e.g., transmission and reception of a packet). Once the WPAN activity is complete, the RFA may be deasserted by WPAN subsystem 170. Deasserting the RFA by the WPAN subsystem 170 includes transmitting a signal over the interface 160 associated with an active state set to logic low (0).Once the WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts the RFA, the WLAN subsystem 120 can continue to use the shared medium.

[0020] The wireless device 100 may further include a coexistence interface register 162. The coexistence interface (GCI) register 162 refers to one or more registers configured to store information associated with coordinating their operations via the interface 160, such as the ongoing activity of the WLAN subsystem 120 and / or the WPAN subsystem 170.

[0021] The memory 130 may include a coexistence management component 135. In some embodiments, the coexistence management component 135 may be stored in any other component of the wireless device 100 or external to the wireless device 100.

[0022] The coexistence management component 135, when executed by a processor (e.g., processor 140), in response to the WPAN subsystem asserting an RFA for a sub-event of an advertisement event (i.e., a request to use the shared medium), determines whether an advertisement packet with an empty payload is transmitted during the sub-event. The coexistence management component 135 determines whether an advertisement packet with an empty payload is transmitted during the sub-event by accessing a register of the coexistence interface register 162 that contains a priority bit (e.g., priority bit register 164). The priority bit in the priority bit register 164 indicates whether an advertisement packet with an empty payload is transmitted during the advertisement phase of the sub-event.With the assertion of the RFA for each sub-event, the priority bit stored in priority bit register 164 can be updated, indicating whether the advertisement packet associated with a respective sub-event is empty payload or not. The priority bit in priority bit register 164 can be set (e.g., set to logic "1"), indicating that an advertisement packet with empty payload is transmitted during the advertisement phase of the respective sub-event (i.e., low priority for the WPAN subsystem 170), or cleared (e.g., set to logic "0"), indicating that new payload or previously unacknowledged payload is transmitted during the advertisement phase of the respective sub-event (i.e., high priority for the WPAN subsystem 170).

[0023] Subevents that have low priority for the WPAN subsystem 170 may indicate to the WLAN subsystem 120 an opportunity to utilize the shared medium for the predetermined time period assigned to the subevents. Accordingly, the WLAN subsystem 120 may utilize the shared medium for the predetermined time period assigned to the subevents.

[0024] Fig. 2A is an example diagram of a Periodic Advertisement with Response (PAWR) event (e.g., Advertisement event 200) according to implementations of the present disclosure. As previously described, the link layer of WPAN subsystem 170 initiates Advertisement event 200 and is responsible for transmitting and receiving Periodic Advertisement packets and Periodic Advertisement Response packets. Advertisement event 200 may be divided into a plurality of sub-events (e.g., sub-events 206A-Z) used to establish communication between WPAN subsystems and exchange information. In some embodiments, Advertisement event 200 may occupy a time slot (e.g., interval 204) allocated by Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) of a shared medium. Thus, sub-events 206A-Z occur within interval 204.

[0025] With reference to Fig. 2B, which is an exemplary diagram of a sub-event 212 corresponding to each sub-event of the sub-events 206A-Z of Fig. 2A. The sub-event 212 is assigned a predetermined time duration (e.g., the sub-event interval 214). The sub-event 212 includes an advertisement phase and a response phase. The advertisement phase is used to transmit periodic advertisement packets, and the response phase is used to receive periodic advertisement response packets. The advertisement phase is assigned a first portion of the sub-event interval 214, which is generated by the response delay 218. The response phase is assigned a second portion of the sub-event interval 214 after the response delay 218.

[0026] During the first portion of the sub-event interval 214, an advertisement packet 216 is transmitted by a link layer of an advertising WPAN subsystem. As previously described, the advertisement packet 216 includes new payload, previously unacknowledged payload, or empty payload. The link layer of the advertising WPAN subsystem may use the new payload to provide new information or updated information about the advertiser's capabilities. The link layer of the advertising WPAN subsystem may use the previously unacknowledged payload to increase the likelihood that other WPAN subsystems and / or devices will receive the complete payload, particularly when the payload contains large amounts of data.The link layer of the advertising WPAN subsystem may use the empty payload to communicate the presence of the WPAN subsystem to other WPAN subsystems and / or devices without transmitting any additional information.

[0027] During the second portion of the sub-event interval 214, the link layer of the advertising WPAN subsystem listens for periodic advertisement response packets (e.g., a response packet) (e.g., R 220A-Z) from other WPAN subsystems and / or devices. When the link layer of the advertising WPAN subsystem receives a response packet, the link layer of the advertising WPAN subsystem establishes a communication link with the responding WPAN subsystem. Each response packet indicates interest in communicating with the advertising WPAN subsystem and may contain additional information, such as the capabilities of the responding WPAN subsystem or the desired data rate.

[0028] Fig. 3A provides wireless activity over a shared medium 300A without the use of the coexistence management component 135 of Fig. 1 according to implementations of the present disclosure. As noted above, the shared medium 300A may be divided into a plurality of time slots (e.g., time slot 302A and time slot 302B).

[0029] During timeslot 302A, the link layer of WPAN subsystem 170 may initiate an advertisement event on shared medium 300A. WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA in response to sub-event 304A of the advertisement event. In response to the assertion of RFA, WLAN subsystem 120 may provide shared medium 300A to WPAN subsystem 170 for sub-event 304A. During sub-event 304A, the link layer of WPAN subsystem 170 transmits an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload. WPAN subsystem 170 listens for response packets from other WPAN subsystems. WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts RFA in response to the completion of sub-event 304A.

[0030] The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA in response to a sub-event 304B of the advertisement event. In response to the assertion of RFA, the WLAN subsystem 120 may provide the shared medium 300A to the WPAN subsystem 170 for sub-event 304B. During sub-event 304B, the link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 transmits an advertisement packet with an empty payload. The WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts RFA in response to the completion of sub-event 304B in light of the empty payload, which does not require the WPAN subsystem 170 to listen for response packets. Thus, the WLAN subsystem 120 may use the shared medium 300A for a time period (e.g., time period 308A) allocated to listen for response packets from other WPAN subsystems for WPAN communications. However, a time period allocated to transmit the advertisement packet with the empty payload (e.g.,the time period 306A) can be used by the WLAN subsystem 120 for WLAN communications.

[0031] The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA in response to a sub-event 304C of the advertisement event. In response to the assertion of RFA, the WLAN subsystem 120 may provide the shared medium 300A to the WPAN subsystem 170 for sub-event 304C. During sub-event 304C, the link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 transmits an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload. The link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 listens for response packets from other WPAN subsystems. The WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts RFA in response to the completion of sub-event 304C.

[0032] The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA in response to a sub-event 304D of the advertisement event. In response to the assertion of RFA, the WLAN subsystem 120 may provide the shared medium 300A to the WPAN subsystem 170 for the sub-event 304D. During the sub-event 304D, the link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 transmits an advertisement packet with an empty payload. The WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts RFA in response to the completion of the sub-event 304D in light of the empty payload, which does not require the WPAN subsystem 170 to listen for response packets. Thus, the WLAN subsystem 120 may use the shared medium 300A for a period of time (e.g., period 308B) allocated to listen for response packets from other WPAN subsystems for WPAN communications. However, a period of time allocated to transmit the advertisement packet with the empty payload (e.g.,the time period 306B) can be used by the WLAN subsystem 120 for WLAN communications.

[0033] During timeslot 302B, the link layer of the advertising WPAN subsystem 170 may initiate a subsequent advertisement event on the shared medium 300A. The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA in response to a sub-event 304E of the subsequent advertisement event. In response to the assertion of RFA, the WLAN subsystem 120 may provide the shared medium 300A to the WPAN subsystem 170 for sub-event 304E. During sub-event 304E, the link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 transmits an advertisement packet with an empty payload. The WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts RFA in response to the completion of sub-event 304C in light of the empty payload, which does not require the WPAN subsystem 170 to listen for response packets. Thus, the WLAN subsystem 120 may use the shared medium 300A for a period of time (e.g.,The WLAN subsystem 120 could use a time period allocated to listen for response packets from other WPAN subsystems for WPAN communications. However, a time period allocated to transmit the advertisement packet with the empty payload (e.g., time period 306C) could have been used by the WLAN subsystem 120 for WLAN communications. Furthermore, the WLAN subsystem 120 could have used the shared medium 300A uninterrupted.

[0034] The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA in response to a sub-event 304F of the subsequent advertisement event. In response to the assertion of RFA, the WLAN subsystem 120 may provide the shared medium 300A to the WPAN subsystem 170 for sub-event 304F. During sub-event 304F, the link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 transmits an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload. The link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 listens for response packets from other WPAN subsystems. The WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts RFA in response to the completion of sub-event 304F.

[0035] The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA in response to a sub-event 304G of the subsequent advertisement event. In response to the assertion of RFA, the WLAN subsystem 120 may provide the shared medium 300A to the WPAN subsystem 170 for sub-event 304G. During sub-event 304G, the link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 transmits an advertisement packet with an empty payload. The WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts RFA in response to the completion of sub-event 304G, given the empty payload, which does not require the WPAN subsystem 170 to listen for response packets. Thus, the WLAN subsystem 120 may use the shared medium 300A for a time period (e.g., time period 308D) allocated to listen for response packets from other WPAN subsystems for WPAN communications. However, a time period allocated to transmit the advertisement packet with the empty payload (e.g.,the time period 306D) can be used by the WLAN subsystem 120 for WLAN communications.

[0036] The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA in response to a sub-event 304H of the subsequent advertisement event. In response to the assertion of RFA, the WLAN subsystem 120 may provide the shared medium 300A to the WPAN subsystem 170 for sub-event 304H. During sub-event 304H, the link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 transmits an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload. The link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 listens for response packets from other WPAN subsystems. The WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts RFA in response to the completion of sub-event 304H. The WLAN subsystem 120 may use the remainder of the time slot 302B for WLAN communications.

[0037] Fig. 3B provides wireless activity over a shared medium 300B, similar to the shared medium 300A of Fig. 3A, with the use of the coexistence management component 135 of Fig. 1 according to implementations of the present disclosure. The shared medium 300B may be divided into a plurality of time slots (e.g., time slots 314A-D).

[0038] During time slot 316A, the link layer of WPAN subsystem 170 may initiate an advertisement event on shared medium 300B. WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA 318A in response to sub-event 320A of the advertisement event. Additionally, WPAN subsystem 170 updates a priority bit in priority bit register 164 of coexistence interface register 162 based on an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload to be transmitted during sub-event 320A. Specifically, the priority bit in priority bit register 164 is cleared.

[0039] The coexistence management component 135 may access the priority bit register 164 updated by the WPAN subsystem 170 to determine whether the priority bit indicates that sub-event 320A will transmit an advertisement packet with an empty payload. In response to the assertion of RFA and the priority bit indicating that sub-event 320A will transmit an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload, the WLAN subsystem 120 may provide the shared medium 300B to the WPAN subsystem 170 for sub-event 320A. During sub-event 320A, the link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 transmits an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload. The WPAN subsystem 170 listens for response packets from other WPAN subsystems. The WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts RFA 318A in response to the completion of sub-event 320A.

[0040] The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA 318B in response to a sub-event 320B of the advertisement event. Additionally, the WPAN subsystem 170 updates the priority bit in the priority bit register 164 based on an advertisement packet with an empty payload to be transmitted during the sub-event 320B. Specifically, the priority bit in the priority bit register 164 is set.

[0041] The coexistence management component 135 may access the priority bit register 164 updated by the WPAN subsystem 170 to determine whether the priority bit indicates that the sub-event 320B transmits an advertisement packet with an empty payload. In response to the assertion of RFA and the priority bit indicating that the sub-event 320B transmits an advertisement packet with an empty payload, the coexistence management component 135 causes the WLAN subsystem 120 to not provide the shared medium 300B to the WPAN subsystem 170 for the sub-event 320B. Thus, the WLAN subsystem 170 utilizes the shared medium 300B for a time period (e.g., time period 322A) allocated to the sub-event 320B (i.e., a time period to transmit the advertisement packet and listen for response packets).

[0042] The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA 318C in response to a sub-event 320C of the advertisement event. Additionally, the WPAN subsystem 170 updates a priority bit in the priority bit register 164 of the coexistence interface register 162 based on an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload to be transmitted during the sub-event 320C. Specifically, the priority bit in the priority bit register 164 is cleared.

[0043] The coexistence management component 135 may access the priority bit register 164 updated by the WPAN subsystem 170 to determine whether the priority bit indicates that sub-event 320C transmits an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload. In response to the assertion of RFA and the priority bit indicating that sub-event 320C transmits an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload, the WLAN subsystem 120 may provide the shared medium 300B to the WPAN subsystem 170 for the sub-event 320C. During the sub-event 320C, the link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 transmits an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload. The WPAN subsystem 170 listens for response packets from other WPAN subsystems. The WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts RFA 318C in response to the completion of sub-event 320C.

[0044] The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA 318D in response to a sub-event 320D of the advertisement event. Additionally, the WPAN subsystem 170 updates the priority bit in the priority bit register 164 based on an advertisement packet with an empty payload to be transmitted during the sub-event 320D. Specifically, the priority bit in the priority bit register 164 is set.

[0045] The coexistence management component 135 may access the priority bit register 164 updated by the WPAN subsystem 170 to determine whether the priority bit indicates that the sub-event 320D will transmit an advertisement packet with an empty payload. In response to the assertion of RFA and the priority bit indicating that the sub-event 320D will transmit an advertisement packet with an empty payload, the coexistence management component 135 causes the WLAN subsystem 120 to not provide the shared medium 300B to the WPAN subsystem 170 for the sub-event 320D. Thus, the WLAN subsystem 120 utilizes the shared medium 300B for a time period (e.g., time period 322B) allocated to the sub-event 320D (i.e., a time period to transmit the advertisement packet and listen for response packets).

[0046] During time slot 316B, the link layer of WPAN subsystem 170 may initiate another advertisement event on shared medium 300B. WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA 318E in response to subevent 320E of another advertisement event. Additionally, WPAN subsystem 170 updates the priority bit in priority bit register 164 based on an advertisement packet with an empty payload to be transmitted during subevent 320E. Specifically, the priority bit in priority bit register 164 is set.

[0047] The coexistence management component 135 may access the priority bit register 164 updated by the WPAN subsystem 170 to determine whether the priority bit indicates that the sub-event 320E will transmit an advertisement packet with an empty payload. In response to the assertion of RFA and the priority bit indicating that the sub-event 320E will transmit an advertisement packet with an empty payload, the coexistence management component 135 causes the WLAN subsystem 120 to not provide the shared medium 300B to the WPAN subsystem 170 for the sub-event 320E. Thus, the WLAN subsystem utilizes the shared medium 300B for a time period (e.g., time period 322C) allocated to the sub-event 320E (i.e., a time period to transmit the advertisement packet and listen for response packets).Furthermore, WLAN subsystem 120 may use shared medium 300B continuously during time period 322B and time period 322C because WPAN subsystem 170 did not need to use shared medium 300B for sub-event 320D and sub-event 320E.

[0048] The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA 318F in response to a sub-event 320F of another advertisement event. Additionally, the WPAN subsystem 170 updates a priority bit in the priority bit register 164 of the coexistence interface register 162 based on an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload to be transmitted during the sub-event 320F. Specifically, the priority bit in the priority bit register 164 is cleared.

[0049] The coexistence management component 135 may access the priority bit register 164 updated by the WPAN subsystem 170 to determine whether the priority bit indicates that sub-event 320F will transmit an advertisement packet with an empty payload. In response to the assertion of RFA and the priority bit indicating that sub-event 320F will transmit an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload, the WLAN subsystem 120 may provide the shared medium 300B to the WPAN subsystem 170 for the sub-event 320F. During the sub-event 320F, the link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 transmits an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload. The WPAN subsystem 170 listens for response packets from other WPAN subsystems. The WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts RFA 318F in response to the completion of sub-event 320F.

[0050] The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA 318G in response to a sub-event 320G of another advertisement event. Additionally, the WPAN subsystem 170 updates the priority bit in priority bit register 164 based on an advertisement packet with empty payload data to be transmitted during sub-event 320G. Specifically, the priority bit in priority bit register 164 is set.

[0051] The coexistence management component 135 may access the priority bit register 164 updated by the WPAN subsystem 170 to determine whether the priority bit indicates that the sub-event 320G is transmitting an advertisement packet with an empty payload. In response to the assertion of RFA and the priority bit indicating that the sub-event 320G is transmitting an advertisement packet with an empty payload, the coexistence management component 135 causes the WLAN subsystem 120 to not provide the shared medium 300B to the WPAN subsystem 170 for the sub-event 320G. Thus, the WLAN subsystem 170 utilizes the shared medium 300B for a time period (e.g., time period 322D) allocated to the sub-event 320G (i.e., a time period to transmit the advertisement packet and listen for response packets).

[0052] The WPAN subsystem 170 asserts RFA 318H in response to a sub-event 320H of another advertisement event. Additionally, the WPAN subsystem 170 updates a priority bit in the priority bit register 164 of the coexistence interface register 162 based on an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload to be transmitted during the sub-event 320H. Specifically, the priority bit in the priority bit register 164 is cleared.

[0053] The coexistence management component 135 may access the priority bit register 164 updated by the WPAN subsystem 170 to determine whether the priority bit indicates that sub-event 320H will transmit an advertisement packet with an empty payload. In response to the assertion of RFA and the priority bit indicating that sub-event 320H will transmit an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload, the WLAN subsystem 120 may provide the shared medium 300B to the WPAN subsystem 170 for the sub-event 320H. During the sub-event 320H, the link layer of the WPAN subsystem 170 transmits an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload. The WPAN subsystem 170 listens for response packets from other WPAN subsystems. The WPAN subsystem 170 deasserts RFA 318H in response to the completion of sub-event 320H. Further, the WLAN subsystem 120 may use the remainder of the time slot 316B (e.g.,the time period 322E) for WLAN communications.

[0054] Fig. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 400 for improving the performance of a wireless local area network during a periodic advertisement-with-response protocol according to implementations of the present disclosure. The method 400 may be performed by processing logic that may include hardware (circuitry, dedicated logic, etc.), software (e.g., instructions executing on a processing device), or a combination thereof. In one implementation, some or all of the operations of the method 400 may be performed by one or more components of the WLAN subsystem 120 of Fig. 1. In some embodiments, some or all of the operations of method 400 may be performed by the coexistence management component 135 of Fig. 1 as described above.

[0055] At block 410, the processing logic accesses a priority bit register in response to the assertion of an RF active by a WPAN subsystem. As previously described, the priority bit register is a register in the coexistence interface registers of the wireless device that includes the WLAN subsystem and the WPAN subsystem. The WPAN subsystem asserts RFA for each sub-event of the advertisement event in response to the initiation of an advertisement event. The advertisement event may be divided into a plurality of sub-events. During the assertion of the RFA, the WPAN subsystem updates a priority bit stored in the priority bit register, which indicates whether or not the advertisement packet associated with a respective sub-event is empty payload.

[0056] At block 420, the processing logic determines whether an empty payload will be transmitted during the sub-event based on the priority bit in the priority bit register. As before, the priority bit in the priority bit register may be set (e.g., set to logic "1"), indicating that an advertisement packet with an empty payload will be transmitted during the advertisement phase of the sub-event (i.e., low priority for the WPAN subsystem), or cleared (e.g., set to logic "0"), indicating that new payload or previously unacknowledged payload will be transmitted during the advertisement phase of the sub-event (i.e., high priority for the WPAN subsystem).

[0057] In response to determining that the priority bit is set, indicating that empty payload data is being transmitted during the sub-event, at block 430, the processing logic utilizes a shared medium for a predetermined time allocated to the sub-event (or sub-event interval) for WLAN communication. The shared medium may be a frequency band, such as an industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) frequency band. As previously described, the processing logic does not provide the shared medium to the WPAN subsystem and maintains access to the shared medium for WLAN communication (i.e., the shared medium is not provided to the WPAN subsystem for the sub-event). Thus, the WLAN subsystem utilizes the shared medium for a time period allocated to the sub-event.

[0058] In response to determining that the priority bit is clear, indicating that no empty payload is being transmitted during the sub-event (i.e., non-empty payload is being transmitted), the processing logic at block 440 provides the shared medium to the WPAN subsystem for the predetermined time allocated to the sub-event (or sub-event interval). Accordingly, as previously described, the WPAN subsystem transmits an advertisement packet with a non-empty payload during an advertisement phase. The WPAN subsystem listens for response packets from other WPAN subsystems during a reply phase. The WPAN subsystem deasserts RFA in response to the completion of the sub-event. In response to deasserting RFA, the processing logic may begin using the shared medium for WLAN communication.

[0059] Reference in this specification to "an implementation" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation and / or embodiment is included in at least one implementation and / or embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in an implementation" in various places in this specification may, but need not, refer to the same implementation, depending on the circumstances. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more implementations in any suitable manner.

[0060] To the extent the terms "comprises," "comprising," "having," "containing," variations thereof, and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "including," as an open-ended transitional word, without excluding additional or different elements.

[0061] As used in this application, the terms "component," "module," "system," or the like are generally intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware (e.g., a circuit), software, a combination of hardware and software, or an entity related to an operating machine with one or more specific functionalities. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor (e.g., a digital signal processor), a processor, an object, an executable file, a thread of execution, a program, and / or a computer. For illustrative purposes, both an application running on a controller and the controller may be a component. One or more components may be located within a process and / or thread of execution, and a component may be localized on one computer and / or distributed between two or more computers.Furthermore, a "device" may be in the form of specially designed hardware; generalized hardware that is specialized by executing software that enables hardware to perform specific functions (e.g., generating points of interest and / or descriptors); software on a computer-readable medium; or a combination thereof.

[0062] The above-mentioned systems, circuits, modules, and so forth have been described in terms of interaction between multiple components and / or blocks. It is understood that such systems, circuits, components, blocks, and so forth may include these components or specified subcomponents, some of the specified components or subcomponents, and / or additional components, and according to various permutations and combinations of the foregoing. Subcomponents may also be implemented as components that are communicatively coupled to other components, rather than being contained within higher-level components (hierarchically).Additionally, it should be noted that one or more components may be combined into a single component providing aggregated functionality, or may be divided into multiple separate subcomponents, and one or more intermediate layers, such as a management layer, may be provided to communicatively couple such subcomponents to provide integrated functionality. Any components described herein may also interact with one or more other components not specifically described herein but known to those skilled in the art.

[0063] Furthermore, the words "example" or "exemplary" are used herein to serve as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, the use of the words "example" or "exemplary" is intended to illustrate concepts in a concrete manner. As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, unless otherwise specified or clear from context, "X uses A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X uses A; X uses B; or X uses both A and B, then "X uses A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing circumstances.In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless otherwise specified or it is clear from the context that they are directed to a singular form.

[0064] Finally, implementations described herein include a collection of data describing a user and / or a user's activities. In one implementation, such data is collected only if the user provides consent to the collection of such data. In some implementations, a user is prompted to explicitly allow data collection. Furthermore, the user can choose to participate or not to participate in such data collection activities. In one implementation, the collected data is anonymized before any analysis is performed to obtain statistical patterns, so that the user's identity cannot be determined from the collected data.

Claims

[1] A procedure that includes: Receiving, by a wireless local area network (WLAN) subsystem of a wireless device, a signal associated with a sub-event of an advertisement event from a wireless personal area network (WPAN) subsystem of the wireless device, the WLAN subsystem and the WPAN subsystem sharing a frequency band; Determining whether a priority bit associated with the sub-event indicates whether empty payload data is transmitted during the sub-event; and in response to determining that the priority bit indicates that empty payload data is being transmitted during the sub-event, utilizing, by the WLAN subsystem, the frequency band for a predetermined period of time assigned to the sub-event. [2] The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the priority bit indicates that empty payload data is being transmitted during the sub-event includes: Accessing a priority bit register of the wireless device; and Determine whether a priority bit stored in the priority bit register is set. [3] The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the priority bit indicates that no empty payload data is transmitted during the sub-event includes: Accessing a priority bit register of the wireless device; and Determine whether a priority bit stored in the priority bit register is cleared. [4] Method according to claim 1, wherein the sub-event is assigned the predetermined time duration for an announcement phase of the sub-event and a response phase of the sub-event. [5] The method of claim 4, wherein the sub-event transmits one of the following during the announcement phase: new payload, previously unacknowledged payload, or empty payload. [6] The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is an assertion of a radio frequency of the WPAN subsystem to be active, indicating a request to use the frequency band. [7] The method of claim 6, further comprising: in response to determining that the priority bit indicates that no empty payload data is transmitted during the sub-event, providing the frequency band for a predetermined period of time assigned to the sub-event to the WPAN subsystem. [8] A wireless device that includes: a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) subsystem that includes a processor, and a WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network) subsystem operating on a frequency band shared with the WLAN subsystem, wherein the WLAN subsystem processor is to perform operations including: Receiving a signal associated with a sub-event of an announcement event from the WPAN subsystem; Determining whether a priority bit associated with the sub-event indicates whether empty payload data is transmitted during the sub-event; and in response to determining that the priority bit indicates that empty payload data is being transmitted during the sub-event, utilizing, by the WLAN subsystem, the frequency band for a predetermined period of time assigned to the sub-event. [9] The wireless device of claim 8, wherein determining that the priority bit indicates that empty payload data is being transmitted during the sub-event comprises: Accessing a priority bit register of the wireless device; and Determine whether a priority bit stored in the priority bit register is set. [10] The wireless device of claim 8, wherein determining that the priority bit indicates that no empty payload data is transmitted during the partial event comprises: Accessing a priority bit register of the wireless device; and Determine whether a priority bit stored in the priority bit register is cleared. [11] The wireless device of claim 10, wherein the sub-event is assigned the predetermined time period for an announcement phase of the sub-event and a response phase of the sub-event. [12] The wireless device of claim 11, wherein the sub-event transmits one of the following during the advertisement phase: new payload, previously unacknowledged payload, or empty payload. [13] The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the signal is an assertion of a radio frequency of the WPAN subsystem to be active, indicating a request to use the frequency band. [14] The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the processor of the WPAN subsystem is to perform operations further including: in response to determining that the priority bit indicates that no empty payload data is transmitted during the sub-event, providing the frequency band for a predetermined period of time assigned to the sub-event to the WPAN subsystem. [15] A WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) subsystem of a wireless device that includes: a processor; and a memory including a coexistence management component, wherein the coexistence management component, when executed by the processor, is to perform operations including: Receiving a signal associated with a sub-event of an announcement event from a wireless personal area network (WPAN) subsystem operating on a frequency band shared with the wireless subsystem; Determining whether a priority bit associated with the sub-event indicates whether empty payload data is transmitted during the sub-event; and in response to determining that the priority bit indicates that empty payload data is being transmitted during the sub-event, utilizing, by the WLAN subsystem, the frequency band for a predetermined period of time assigned to the sub-event. [16] The WLAN subsystem of claim 15, wherein determining that the priority bit indicates that empty payload data is being transmitted during the sub-event comprises: Accessing a priority bit register of the wireless device; and Determine whether a priority bit stored in the priority bit register is set. [17] The WLAN subsystem of claim 15, wherein determining that the priority bit indicates that no empty payload data is transmitted during the sub-event comprises: Accessing a priority bit register of the wireless device; and Determine whether a priority bit stored in the priority bit register is cleared. [18] The WLAN subsystem of claim 15, wherein the sub-event is assigned the predetermined time duration for a sub-event announcement phase and a sub-event response phase, and wherein the sub-event transmits one of the following during the announcement phase: new payload, previously unacknowledged payload, or empty payload. [19] The WLAN subsystem of claim 15, wherein the signal is an assertion of a radio frequency of the WPAN subsystem to be active, indicating a request to use the frequency band. [20] The WLAN subsystem of claim 19, wherein the coexistence management component, when executed by the processor, is to perform operations further including: in response to determining that the priority bit indicates that no empty payload data is transmitted during the sub-event, providing the frequency band for a predetermined period of time assigned to the sub-event to the WPAN subsystem.

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