A method of performing frequency hopping by a device in a first wireless communication network

Abstract

A method of performing frequency hopping by a device in a first wireless communication network, wherein said first wireless communication network operates in a first frequency range, which is at least partially overlapping with a second frequency range utilized for communication by a second wireless communication network, wherein communication in said first wireless communication network utilizes frequency hopping on a first set of frequency channels within said first frequency range, said method comprises the steps of retrieving, by said device, an identity of another device in said first wireless communication network from a message obtained from said other device in said first wireless communication network, retrieving, by said device, a subset of said first set of frequency channels based on said retrieved identity and performing, by said device, said frequency hopping within said retrieved subset of said first set of frequency channel.

Description

[0001] P110824W001

[0002] 1

[0003] A METHOD OF PERFORMING FREQUENCY HOPPING BY A DEVICE IN A FIRST WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK

[0004] Technical field

[0005] 5

[0006] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of wireless communication and, more specifically, to performing frequency hopping by a device in a first wireless communication network.

[0007] 10 Background

[0008] In license-exempt frequency bands like the 2.4 GHz ISM band, the 5 GHz band, or 6 GHz band, effective spectrum sharing mechanisms may be of importance, especially when transmissions are not restricted to very low power. The primary spectrum sharing methods are listen- before-talk, LBT, also referred to as carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance, CSMA / CA, and frequency hopping, FH.

[0009] LBT, as the name implies, involves the transmitter determining if the channel is idle before initiating a transmission. If busy, the transmitter waits until the channel is available. This method is used in IEEE 802.11, also commonly referred to as Wi-Fi, operating in 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, for example. On the other hand, FH, utilized by for example Bluetooth, BT, involves using a specific part of the band for a small fraction of the total time, leaving room for other transmissions.

[0010] Choosing between LBT and FH depends on factors such as channel bandwidth and dynamic usage. LBT is typically favoured for wider bandwidths with dynamic channel requirements,

[0011] 25 while FH typically suits narrowband systems with predictable channel usage.

[0012] However, both LBT and FH work effectively when all devices employ the same mechanism. Mismatched usage, i.e., when a first system using LBT is to coexist with a second system using FH, can lead to issues. For example, a wideband system using LBT may defer transmission due to detecting a narrowband signal, even if it wouldn't harm the narrowband system. Conversely, the wideband system may not detect a narrowband signal, potentially causing harmful interference.

[0013] In the 2.4 GHz ISM band, coexistence challenges arise between Wi-Fi, using LBT, and Bluetooth, using FH. Bluetooth addresses this with adaptive FH, AFH, allowing devices to report and update the set of channels being used for FH. Specifically, the channels that are identified as likely being used by Wi-Fi are not used by Bluetooth (assuming that there still is a sufficient number P110824W001

[0014] 2 operating channels for hopping. Bluetooth Low Energy, BLE, further minimizes interference to WiFi by, for example, only using three channels during initial link establishment, strategically avoiding the most commonly used non-overlapping Wi-Fi channels i.e., avoiding channels 1, 6, and 11 in the 2.4 GHz band.

[0015] 5 When a narrowband frequency hopping device has many available channels, it may not be advantageous to utilize all these available channels, especially when sharing the spectrum with other wireless technologies.

[0016] Narrowband interference poses challenges to wideband systems in multiple ways. Firstly, a narrowband transmission can restrict a wideband device's access to the medium, leading to inefficient resource utilization. Secondly, dealing with interference from a narrowband signal is challenging for wideband systems due to the concentrated power on a narrow bandwidth.

[0017] Summary

[0018] 15 It would be advantageous to achieve methods of performing frequency hopping by a device in a first wireless communication network, wherein the method utilizes the presence of other devices in that first wireless communication network to improve the frequency hopping efficiency.

[0019] It would further be advantageous to achieve corresponding devices and computer program products.

[0020] 20 In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of performing frequency hopping by a device in a first wireless communication network, wherein said first wireless communication network operates in a first frequency range. The first frequency range is at least partially overlapping with a second frequency range utilized for communication by a second wireless communication network.

[0021] The communication in the first wireless communication network utilizes frequency hopping on a first set of frequency channels within said first frequency range

[0022] The method comprises the steps of: retrieving, by said device, an identity of another device in said first wireless communication network from a message obtained from said other device in said first wireless

[0023] 30 communication network; retrieving, by said device, a subset of said first set of frequency channels based on said retrieved identity; performing, by said device, said frequency hopping within said retrieved subset of said first set of frequency channels. P110824W001

[0024] 3

[0025] The inventors have found that it may be beneficial to utilize the presence of another device in the first wireless communication network to improve the frequency hopping for the device. This will be explained in more detail further below. First, context is provided for the present disclosure.

[0026] 5 The first wireless communication network may, for example, be a Bluetooth based communication network. Bluetooth may operate in the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical, ISM, band, which ranges from 2.400 to 2.4835 GHz. For Bluetooth operation, this band is divided into 79 channels, each 1 MHz wide, allowing for numerous simultaneous Bluetooth connections and also leaving some guard bands at the edges .

[0027] 10 Bluetooth Low Energy, BLE, is a variant of Bluetooth specifically designed for low energy consumption and less data transmission, which typically utilizes 40 channels, each 2 MHz wide. Among these 40 channels, three are designated as advertising channels, i.e. channel 37, 38, and 39, and the remaining 37, i.e. channels 0-36, are used as data channels. The advertising channels are used by devices to announce their presence and to establish connections, improving the discovery and connection process while reducing interference.

[0028] One of the features of Bluetooth technology is frequency hopping, which enhances its robustness and coexistence with other wireless technologies in the crowded 2.4 GHz spectrum.

[0029] Bluetooth may also employ adaptive frequency hopping, AFH. AFH reduces interference by - generally speaking - assessing quality of the channels and avoiding those with significant interference.

[0030] The second wireless communication network may, for example, be a Wi-Fi based communication network. Wi-Fi may operate in the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical, ISM, band, which ranges from 2.400 to 2.4835 GHz. Within this band, Wi-Fi networks may utilize 14 channels, each spaced 5 MHz apart.

[0031] 25 In practice, not all channels may be available in every country due to regulatory differences. For example, the United States uses channels 1 through 11, while some other regions might allow channels up to 13 or 14. Each Wi-Fi channel is typically 20 MHz wide, which means that adjacent channels overlap significantly. This overlap can cause interference, reducing the network performance, especially in environments with multiple Wi-Fi networks.

[0032] To mitigate interference and optimize performance, Wi-Fi networks typically use non-overlapping channels. In the 2.4 GHz band, there are only three non-overlapping channels: 1, 6, and 11. By configuring Wi-Fi networks to operate on these channels, users can minimize interference from neighbouring Wi-Fi networks.

[0033] In accordance with the present disclosure, communication in the first wireless

[0034] 35 communication network utilizes frequency hopping on a first set of frequency channels within said P110824W001

[0035] 4 first frequency range. This means that a device operating in the first wireless communication network may utilize all frequency channels within the first set for communication purposes. It does not mean that the device must use all these frequency channels. As will be apparent later below, the device may use a subset of all available channels, i.e. a subset of the first set of frequency channels, for

[0036] 5 communication purposes. The first set represents the complete range of channels that the device can utilize within the first wireless communication network.

[0037] As mentioned above, it may be advantageous if the device in the first communication network utilizes the presence of another device in the same first communication network for improving the frequency hopping scheme. For example, the presence of the another device may be

[0038] 10 used to select, or determine, a particular subset of frequency channels to use for the frequency hopping.

[0039] In a first step, the identity of the another device in the first wireless communication network may be retrieved from a message obtained from the other device in the first wireless communication network.

[0040] For example, the another device in the first wireless communication network may broadcast different kinds of messages in the first wireless communication network. These messages may, for example, be broadcasted in the advertising channels of the first wireless communication network.

[0041] Example of such messages are beacon messages. Beacon messages may be transmitted via the advertising channels. These beacon messages may be small data packets broadcast by devices in the first wireless communication network, for example at regular intervals. The beacon messages may be transmitted using the advertising channels, for example channels 37, 38, and 39 in the 2.4 GHz band. These channels are specifically designated for broadcasting because they help ensure that beacon messages can be easily detected by nearby devices in the same first wireless

[0042] 25 communication network.

[0043] The identity of the other device in the first wireless communication network may be retrieved from the message. The identity is, for example, a Universally Unique Identifier, UUID.

[0044] In a second step, the device may retrieve a subset of the first set of frequency channels based on the retrieved identity.

[0045] The underlying idea is that the detection of the presence of the another device in the first wireless communication network may be used for retrieving a subset of the first frequency channels.

[0046] For example, the device may have used, in previous situations, a particular subset of the first set of frequency channels for communication in a particular area, for example office,

[0047] 35 building, etc. During operation of the device, that device may have detected the presence of the P110824W001

[0048] 5 another device in the first wireless communication network. This knowledge may be used for reusing, or re-selecting, the same subset of the first set of frequency channels for a subsequent time when the device is in the same area.

[0049] As such, the particular subset of the first set of frequency channels may be stored, at

[0050] 5 the device, in association with the identity of the detected another device. This allows for re-using that same particular subset of the first set of frequency channels, in subsequent situations, whenever the device detects the presence of the same another device again. Detecting that same another device may mean that the device in the same area, i.e. the same office, building, etc.

[0051] As such, the device may use the same particular subset of the first set of frequency

[0052] 10 channels, e.g. the one that was associated / stored in relation to the another device.

[0053] In a third step, the device may perform the frequency hopping within the retrieved subset of the first set of frequency channels.

[0054] Here below, multiple detailed examples of the generic idea presented above are elucidated in more detail.

[0055] In an example, the step of retrieving a subset comprises: retrieving one or more frequency channels to be excluded for said frequency hopping constructing said subset of said first set of frequency channels, based on said excluded frequency channels.

[0056] Based on the detected identity of the another device in the first wireless communication network, the device may, for example, retrieve one or more frequency channels to be excluded for said frequency hopping. The device may, for example, have previously determined that those one or more frequency channels are not suitable to be used for frequency hopping in a particular area. This knowledge may have been coupled, i.e., stored in relation, to the identity of the

[0057] 25 another device. The present example is directed to re-using that knowledge that, in a previous situation, those frequency channels were not suitable to be used for frequency hopping.

[0058] In another example, the step of retrieving said subset comprises: matching said retrieved identity with a plurality of identities in a list, stored on said device, said list comprising said plurality of identities, wherein each of said plurality of retrieved identities is coupled to a subset of said first set of frequency channels.

[0059] This particular example discloses a method performed by the device, for example a Bluetooth device, for selecting a subset of frequency channels to use for frequency hopping.

[0060] The device first retrieves an identity, which can be a unique identifier or address, from a message sent by the another device in the first wireless communication network. This

[0061] 35 retrieved identity is then compared with a list of stored identities in the device. This list comprises P110824W001

[0062] 6 multiple identities, each potentially representing different devices that the device has previously encountered or is configured to recognize.

[0063] Each identity in the stored list is linked, or associated, to a specific subset of frequency channels within the first set of frequency channels. The first set represents the complete

[0064] 5 range of channels that the device can utilize. When a match is found between the retrieved identity and one in the stored list, the device selects the corresponding subset of channels associated with that identity. This selected subset will then be used for frequency hopping.

[0065] In another example, the step of retrieving said subset comprises: retrieving said subset of said first set of frequency channels from said obtained message.

[0066] It was found that it may be beneficial if the subset of the first set of frequency channels is obtained within the message itself. In other words, the device may detect a message transmitted by the another device, and may use the subset of the first set of frequency channels that is comprised by that message for frequency hopping.

[0067] 15 In this case, there is no explicit need for the device to store the subset of the first set of frequency channels locally as the subset of the first set of frequency channels is provided in the message itself.

[0068] In yet another example, the method further comprises the steps of: performing, by said device, frequency hopping within a subset of said first set

[0069] 20 of frequency channels; retrieving, by said device, an identity of another device in said first wireless communication network from a message obtained from said other device in said first wireless communication network; determining, by said device, that said another device is a static device based on information comprised by said obtained message; associating, by said device, said identity of said another device to said subset of said first set of frequency channels based on said determination that said another device is a static device.

[0070] The above described example may be directed to method steps that are to be

[0071] 30 performed before the method steps as described in relation to the first aspect.

[0072] This method describes that the device is currently utilizing a subset of the first set of frequency channels for frequency hopping. The device may have gotten to this subset of the first set of frequency channels using adapted frequency hopping techniques. The device may have learned, during operation, that certain frequency channels are undesired as they may give rise to a high P110824W001

[0073] 7 probability of interference. As such, the device may have limited the frequency channels from all available frequency channels to a subset of the available frequency channels.

[0074] The inventors have found that this process may be cumbersome. It may take quite some time before a device tailors its subset of frequency channels to a particular set that is relatively

[0075] 5 less prone to interference.

[0076] In order to speed up that process, the inventors have found that it may be beneficial to couple, i.e., associate, the subset of the first set of frequency channels to a “static” device. A “static” device is a device that is, most likely, not moveable and thus always in the same area. As such, the device is arranged for detecting messages sent from another device in the same first wireless

[0077] 10 communication network, and may use the identities comprised by those messages for coupling to the used subset of the first set of frequency channels.

[0078] This may be beneficial as, for a next time that the device detects the presence of that “static” device, the same subset of the first set of frequency channels may be used.

[0079] In a further example, said subset of said first set of frequency channels that is based on said identity is further associated with a performance index, wherein the step of retrieving said subset further comprises: determining that said performance index associated with said subset of said first set of frequency channels is above a predetermined threshold.

[0080] The device may maintain a performance index, i.e., a measure for the performance of the subset of the first set of frequency channels. The performance index may be taken into account when assessing whether or not to use the subset of the first set of frequency channels.

[0081] In a further example, the step of retrieving said subset further comprises: excluding subsets of said first set of frequency channels wherein the performance index is below said predetermined threshold.

[0082] 25 In yet another example, the device comprises a stored list, said list comprising a plurality of identities, wherein each of said plurality of identities is coupled to a subset of said first set of frequency channels and wherein each of said subsets of said first set of frequency channels is associated with a performance index, and wherein said retrieved identity of the other device is associated with multiple subsets, wherein said step of retrieving comprises: selecting said subset, within said multiple subsets, that has a highest performance index within said list.

[0083] The inventors have found that it may occur that the identity of a particular another device is associated, coupled or linked with multiple entries of a list. As such, multiple subsets of the first frequency channels may be used for the frequency hopping by the device. In this particular

[0084] 35 case, it may be beneficial to use the subset that has the highest performance index coupled thereto. P110824W001

[0085] 8

[0086] In yet another example, prior to performing said frequency hopping, the method comprises the step of: performing, by said device, a listen-before-talk, LBT, procedure in a frequency channel comprised in said subset of said first set of frequency channels.

[0087] 5 In yet another example, the step of retrieving said subset of said first set of frequency channels based on said retrieved identity further comprises: retrieving, by said device, said subset from the other device.

[0088] This example is directed to the situation wherein the device pro-actively requests the another device for the subset that is to be used for performing the frequency hopping.

[0089] 10 As such, the device may send a request message to the another device in the same first wireless communication network for requesting the subset of frequency channels to be used for frequency hopping.

[0090] The response message may include the frequency channels that are to be used, or that are to be excluded.

[0091] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a device arranged for performing frequency hopping in a first wireless communication network, wherein said first wireless communication network operates in a first frequency range, which is at least partially overlapping with a second frequency range utilized for communication by a second wireless communication network, wherein communication in said first wireless communication network utilizes frequency hopping on a first set of frequency channels within said first frequency range.

[0092] The device comprising: retrieve equipment arranged for retrieving an identity of another device in said first wireless communication network from a message obtained from said other device in said first wireless communication network;

[0093] 25 wherein said retrieve equipment is further arranged for retrieving a subset of said first set of frequency channels based on said retrieved identity, said device further comprising: process equipment arranged for performing said frequency hopping within said retrieved subset of said first set of frequency channels.

[0094] It is noted that the advantages as explained with reference to the first aspect of the present disclosure, being the method of performing frequency hopping by a device in a first wireless communication network, are also applicable to the second aspect of the present disclosure, being the device.

[0095] In an example, the retrieve equipment further comprises: retrieving a blacklist, wherein said blacklist comprises one or more excluded

[0096] 35 frequency channels. P110824W001

[0097] 9 construing said subset of said first set of frequency channels, based on said excluded frequency channels.

[0098] In a further example, the retrieve equipment further comprises: matching said retrieved identity with a plurality of identities in a list, stored

[0099] 5 on said device, said list comprising said plurality of identities, wherein each of said plurality of retrieved identities is coupled to a subset of said first set of frequency channels.

[0100] In yet another example, the retrieve equipment is further arranged for: retrieving said subset of said first set of frequency channels from said obtained message.

[0101] 10 In a further example, the process equipment is further arranged for: determining that said another device is a static device based on information comprised by said obtained message.

[0102] In an even further example, the subset of said first set of frequency channels that is based on said identity is further associated with a performance index, wherein the retrieve equipment is further arranged for: determining that said performance index associated with said subset of said first set of frequency channels is above a predetermined threshold.

[0103] In yet another example, the retrieve equipment is further arranged for: excluding subsets of said first set of frequency channels wherein the performance index is below said predetermined threshold.

[0104] In an example, the device comprises a stored list, said list comprising a plurality of identities, wherein each of said plurality of identities is coupled to a subset of said first set of frequency channels and wherein each of said subsets of said first set of frequency channels is associated with a performance index, wherein retrieve equipment is further arranged for:

[0105] 25 selecting said subset that has a highest performance index within said list.

[0106] In an example, the process equipment is further arranged for, prior to performing said frequency hopping: performing a listen-before-talk, LBT, procedure in a frequency channel comprised in said subset of said first set of frequency channels.

[0107] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a device in a first wireless communication network, cause said device to implement a method in accordance with any of the examples provided above.

[0108] It is noted that the advantages as explained with reference to the first aspect of the

[0109] 35 present disclosure, being the method of performing frequency hopping by a device in a first wireless P110824W001

[0110] 10 communication network, are also applicable to the third aspect of the present disclosure, being the computer program product.

[0111] The present disclosure is described in conjunction with the appended figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not

[0112] 5 drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

[0113] In the appended figures, similar components and / or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only

[0114] 10 the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0115] The above and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the examples described hereinafter.

[0116] Brief description of the drawings

[0117] Fig. 1 discloses an exemplary scenario with one moving device and several static devices located in an enterprise environment;

[0118] Fig. 2 discloses an example of a narrowband wireless communication network sharing spectrum with a broadband wireless communication network;

[0119] Fig. 3 discloses an example of a method in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0120] Fig. 4 discloses an example of a device in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0121] Detailed description

[0122] 25

[0123] It is noted that in the description of the figures, same reference numerals refer to the same or similar components performing a same or essentially similar function.

[0124] A more detailed description is made with reference to particular examples, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings, such that the manner in which the features of the present disclosure may be understood in more detail. It is noted that the drawings only illustrate typical examples and are therefore not to be considered to limit the scope of the subject matter of the embodiments. The drawings are incorporated for facilitating an understanding of the disclosure and are thus not necessarily drawn to scale. Advantages of the subject matter as claimed will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the description in conjunction with the

[0125] 35 accompanying drawings. P110824W001

[0126] 11

[0127] The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferred exemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, it being

[0128] 5 understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements, including combinations of features from different embodiments, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0129] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the embodiments, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to." As used herein, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, electromagnetic, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this

[0130] 15 application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word "or," in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

[0131] 20 These and other changes can be made to the technology in light of the following detailed description. While the description describes certain examples of the technology, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the description appears, the technology can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while still being encompassed by the technology disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the technology should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following embodiments should not be construed to limit the technology to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the Detailed

[0132] 30 Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the technology encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the technology under the embodiments.

[0133] In the figure description below, the first wireless communication network is a Bluetooth based communication network. The second wireless communication network is a Wi-Fi P110824W001

[0134] 12 based communication network. However, it is explicitly noted that the present disclosure is not limited to any of these types of wireless communication networks.

[0135] Fig. 1 discloses an exemplary scenario 1 with one moving device 4 in the first wireless communication network and several static devices 3, 5, 6 in the first wireless communication

[0136] 5 network.

[0137] The device 4 in the first wireless communication network may, for example, be a watch, a mobile phone, a laptop, or other similar electronic devices. The static device 3, 5, 6 may, for example, be a Bluetooth -based printer, a speaker, a keyboard, a mouse, or anything alike.

[0138] The present disclosure is directed, in an example, to modify existing adapted frequency hopping mechanisms in Bluetooth devices so that they become more environment aware in a fast and efficient way. These mechanisms may use Bluetooth transmissions from static devices.

[0139] The present disclosure enables a Bluetooth device to leverage static Bluetooth, for example beacon, transmissions, more specifically Bluetooth beacons sent by printers, keyboards, mouses, or the like, located at various points in a particular area, to update its lists effectively. The

[0140] 15 Bluetooth device may have previously stored, e.g., when it has been in the same location or area, in memory, a list of known Bluetooth beacon identities and their corresponding lists.

[0141] When the Bluetooth device listens to a Bluetooth beacon having a known identity, it may use the subset of the first frequency channels that corresponds to that identity. This makes scanning for available frequency channels superfluous.

[0142] 20 The Bluetooth device may thus effectively update its stored lists of subsets of frequency channels, when it has in storage information relevant to the beacons heard at a certain position. This results in less or no overhead for channel lists population, less or no interference to other operating devices and / or technologies and more generally in less or no overhead.

[0143] Reference is now made to an enterprise office environment with multiple rooms as in Figure 1. In some rooms there are printers 3, 5, 6 supporting Bluetooth and transmitting reference signals, e.g., beacons on frequency channels for initial link establishment.

[0144] The Bluetooth printers 3, 5, 6 are static and have over the time reached a steady state where they have learned what are the preferred channels for Bluetooth to operate in that specific area.

[0145] 30 Consider a Bluetooth device, for example a smartwatch or a headset used by a person moving across the various rooms. As disclosed above, existing adapted frequency hopping algorithms may be inefficiently and slowly adapting to abrupt changes of interference conditions.

[0146] The Bluetooth device may have stored in memory a list of known Bluetooth beacon identities and their associated performance indexes, i.e. an indication of how good its operations in P110824W001

[0147] 13 the channel corresponding to the advertising channel are, along with the channel lists, i.e. subsets of the first frequency channels, to be used in their proximities and possibly across different bands.

[0148] In one example, when the Bluetooth device moves to the leftmost upper room 2, it may scan the Bluetooth advertising channels, possibly across various bands. Then it may receive the

[0149] 5 Bluetooth beacon sent by the static Bluetooth printer AP A on one of the advertising channels, say channel A.

[0150] The Bluetooth device then retrieves the stored information regarding which channels to use or not to use when the beacon sent by the Bluetooth printer A is heard on channel A. Finally, the Bluetooth device may discard the old lists and use the corresponding stored list for frequency hopping.

[0151] A similar procedure may occur when the Bluetooth device moves close to and listens to beacons from Bluetooth printer B for example on advertising channel B, or Bluetooth printer C beacons for example on advertising channel C.

[0152] In another example, the beacon sent out by the static Bluetooth device, e.g., the

[0153] 15 printer in Figure 1, has been modified such that it contains the map of used channels. That is, the beacon comprises the subset of the first frequency channels to be used by the device.

[0154] Thus, whenever the beacon is broadcasted, any other device in its proximity may choose to use this information for its own used channel map for frequency hopping. This may be particularly useful for devices that have not yet collected the environmental information associated

[0155] 20 with this identifier.

[0156] The channel map could for example be represented as a bitmap where each bit corresponds to a certain Wi-Fi channel, or Bluetooth channel, or some bandwidth, etc.

[0157] In yet another example, the moving Bluetooth device may receive a Bluetooth beacon with unknown identity, and therefore with no channel lists associated, i.e. with no subsets of first frequency channels associated, it may still start operating in the channel corresponding to the advertising channel, however in this case it uses new, i.e., not stored, lists.

[0158] In further example, the device may further scan channels corresponding to advertising channels without Bluetooth beacons to assess whether they are still in use by other non-BT technologies.

[0159] 30 In accordance with the present disclosure, the device may assert whether an identity retrieved from a beacon device relates to a static device or not. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, the content of a beacon message typically includes a UUID, Universally Unique Identifier, which uniquely identifies the beacon, as well as major and minor values that provide additional context or differentiation among beacons using the same UUID. P110824W001

[0160] 14

[0161] The method in accordance with the present disclosure is now discussed with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows an example 101 wherein a first wireless communication network, being a Bluetooth based communication network, shares a frequency spectrum with a second wireless communication network, being a Wi-Fi based communication network.

[0162] 5 The Wi-Fi based communication network utilizes a plurality of frequency channels. Figure 3 shows three frequency channels, being channel 1, channel 6 and channel 11. These three channels 1, 6 and 11 do not overlap and are, therefore, often used from a pragmatic point of view. In between the channels 1 and 6, and in between the channels 6 and 11, other frequency channels are located but are omitted for readability purposes. Typically, in the 2.4GHz range, the frequency

[0163] 10 channels of the Wi-Fi based communication network are 20MHz wide. In 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, the frequency channels are typically spaced 5 MHz apart from each other. The center frequencies of the standard Wi-Fi channels start from 2.412 GHz, channel 1, and increase by 5 MHz increments for each subsequent channel.

[0164] The Bluetooth based communication network utilizes many more frequency channels. In Bluetooth Classic 79 frequency channels are used, each about 1 MHz width, whereas in BLE 40 channels are used, each about 2 MHz wide. These frequency channels are not overlapping. Henceforth, the term Bluetooth may potentially denote either of Bluetooth Classic or BLE, although BLE is the focus.

[0165] It is noted that the Bluetooth based communication network utilizes frequency hopping. A device operating in the Bluetooth based communication network hops from one frequency channel to another in accordance with a particular hopping pattern.

[0166] The Wi-Fi based communication network does not utilize such a hopping scheme. A device in a Wi-Fi based communication network typically uses one frequency channel for communication. For example, channel 1 is allocated for communications for a particular Wi-Fi

[0167] 25 enabled device.

[0168] The present disclosure is directed to a mechanism to use the presence of static Bluetooth devices in selecting or determining the subset of the first frequency channels to use in the Bluetooth based communication network.

[0169] The detection of the presence of the static device in the Bluetooth based communication network may be used to select, or determine, a previously used subset of the first set of frequency channels for re-use in frequency hopping.

[0170] Some specific examples are elucidated here below for a better understanding of the present disclosure.

[0171] Figure 3 discloses a method 201 of performing frequency hopping by a device in a

[0172] 35 first wireless communication network, wherein said first wireless communication network operates P110824W001

[0173] 15 in a first frequency range, which is at least partially overlapping with a second frequency range utilized for communication by a second wireless communication network, wherein communication in said first wireless communication network utilizes frequency hopping on a first set of frequency channels within said first frequency range.

[0174] 5 The method comprises the steps of: retrieving 202, by said device, an identity of another device in said first wireless communication network from a message obtained from said other device in said first wireless communication network; retrieving 203, by said device, a subset of said first set of frequency channels

[0175] 10 based on said retrieved identity; performing 204, by said device, said frequency hopping within said retrieved subset of said first set of frequency channels.

[0176] The method provides for a process for performing frequency hopping by a device within a first wireless communication network, which operates in a frequency range that overlaps with a second wireless communication network's frequency range. This technique helps to minimize interference and optimize communication within the shared spectrum. The method involves several steps to ensure efficient frequency hopping.

[0177] First, the device retrieves the identity of another device within the same wireless network from a message (beacon) received from that device. This step allows the device to identify the devices within the first wireless communication network. Next, based on the retrieved identity, the device determines a subset of the first set of frequency channels. This subset selection is of importance as it allows the device to focus on specific channels within the larger frequency range, reducing the chance of interference and enhancing communication efficiency.

[0178] Finally, the device performs frequency hopping within the selected subset of

[0179] 25 frequency channels. Frequency hopping involves rapidly switching frequencies during transmission to avoid interference and ensure robust communication. By hopping within a defined subset of channels, the device can better manage the overlap with the second wireless network’s frequency range, ensuring smoother and more reliable communication.

[0180] Figure 4 discloses a device 301 arranged for performing frequency hopping in a first wireless communication network, wherein said first wireless communication network operates in a first frequency range, which is at least partially overlapping with a second frequency range utilized for communication by a second wireless communication network, wherein communication in said first wireless communication network utilizes frequency hopping on a first set of frequency channels within said first frequency range .

[0181] 35 The device comprising: P110824W001

[0182] 16 retrieve equipment 304 arranged for retrieving an identity of another device in said first wireless communication network from a message obtained from said other device in said first wireless communication network; wherein said retrieve equipment is further arranged for retrieving a subset of said first

[0183] 5 set of frequency channels based on said retrieved identity, said device further comprising: process equipment 305 arranged for performing said frequency hopping within said retrieved subset of said first set of frequency channels.

[0184] The process equipment 305 may be connected to a memory 306. The device 301 may further comprise a receive terminal 303 and a transmit terminal 302 for receiving and transmitting messages, respectively.

[0185] To reduce the number of claims, certain aspects of the technology are presented below in certain claim forms, but the applicant contemplates the various aspects of the technology in any number of claim forms. For example, while some aspect of the technology may be recited as a computer-readable medium claim, other aspects may likewise be embodied as a computer-readable

[0186] 15 medium claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied in a means-plus-function claim.

[0187] In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of implementations of the disclosed technology. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the disclosed technology may be practiced without some of these specific details.

[0188] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a

[0189] 25 combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

Claims

P110824W00117CLAIMS1. A method of performing frequency hopping (201) by a device (4) in a first wireless communication network, wherein said first wireless communication network operates in a first5 frequency range, which is at least partially overlapping with a second frequency range utilized for communication by a second wireless communication network, wherein communication in said first wireless communication network utilizes frequency hopping on a first set of frequency channels within said first frequency range, said method comprises the steps of: retrieving (202), by said device (4), an identity of another device (3, 5, 6) in said first wireless communication network from a message obtained from said other device in said first wireless communication network; retrieving (203), by said device, a subset of said first set of frequency channels based on said retrieved identity; performing (204), by said device, said frequency hopping within said15 retrieved subset of said first set of frequency channels.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of retrieving a subset comprises: retrieving a one or more frequency channels to be excluded for said frequency20 hopping; constructing said subset of said first set of frequency channels, based on said excluded frequency channels.

3. The method in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein said step of retrieving said subset comprises: matching said retrieved identity with a plurality of identities in a list, stored on said device, said list comprising said plurality of identities, wherein each of said plurality of retrieved identities is coupled to a subset of said first set of frequency channels.30 4. The method in accordance with any of the claims 1-2, wherein the step of retrieving said subset comprises: retrieving said subset of said first set of frequency channels from said obtained message.P110824W001185. The method in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: performing, by said device, frequency hopping within a subset of said first set of frequency channels;5 retrieving, by said device, an identity of another device in said first wireless communication network from a message obtained from said other device in said first wireless communication network; determining, by said device, that said another device is a static device based on information comprised by said obtained message;10 associating, by said device, said identity of said another device to said subset of said first set of frequency channels based on said determination that said another device is a static device.

6. The method in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein said subset is further associated with a performance index, wherein the step of retrieving said subset further comprises: determining that said performance index associated with said subset is above a predetermined threshold.

7. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the step of retrieving said subset further comprises: excluding subsets wherein the performance index is below said predetermined threshold.25 8. The method in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein said device comprises a stored list, said list comprising a plurality of identities, wherein each of said plurality of identities is coupled to a subset of said first set of frequency channels and wherein each of said subsets of said first set of frequency channels is associated with a performance index, and wherein said retrieved identity of the other device is associated with multiple subsets, wherein said step of retrieving comprises: selecting said subset, within said multiple subsets, that has a highest performance index within said list.

9. The method in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein prior to35 performing said frequency hopping, the method comprises the step of:P110824W00119 performing, by said device, a listen-before-talk, LBT, procedure in a frequency channel comprised in said subset of said first set of frequency channels.

10. The method in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein said step of5 retrieving said subset of said first set of frequency channels based on said retrieved identity further comprises: retrieving, by said device, said subset from the other device.

11. A device (301) arranged for performing frequency hopping in a first wireless10 communication network, wherein said first wireless communication network operates in a first frequency range, which is at least partially overlapping with a second frequency range utilized for communication by a second wireless communication network, wherein communication in said first wireless communication network utilizes frequency hopping on a first set of frequency channels within said first frequency range, said device comprising: retrieve equipment (304) arranged for retrieving an identity of an other device (3, 5, 6) in said first wireless communication network from a message obtained from said other device in said first wireless communication network; wherein said retrieve equipment (304) is further arranged for retrieving a subset of said first set of frequency channels based on said retrieved identity, said device further comprising: process equipment (305) arranged for performing said frequency hopping within said retrieved subset of said first set of frequency channels.

12. The device in accordance with claim 11, wherein said retrieve equipment further comprises:25 retrieving a blacklist, wherein said blacklist comprises one or more excluded frequency channels. construing said subset of said first set of frequency channels, based on said excluded frequency channels.

13. The device in accordance with any of the claims 11 - 12, wherein said retrieve equipment further comprises: matching said retrieved identity with a plurality of identities in a list, stored on said device, said list comprising said plurality of identities, wherein each of said plurality of retrieved identities is coupled to a subset of said first set of frequency channels.P110824W0012014. The device in accordance with any of the claims 11 - 12, wherein the retrieve equipment is further arranged for: retrieving said subset of said first set of frequency channels from said obtained message.

515. The device in accordance with any of the claims 11 - 14, wherein the process equipment is further arranged for: determining that said another device is a static device based on information comprised by said obtained message.

16. The device in accordance with any of the claims 11 - 15, wherein said subset of said first set of frequency channels that is based on said identity is further associated with a performance index, wherein the retrieve equipment is further arranged for: determining that said performance index associated with said subset of said15 first set of frequency channels is above a predetermined threshold.

17. The device in accordance with claim 16, wherein the retrieve equipment is further arranged for: excluding subsets of said first set of frequency channels wherein the20 performance index is below said predetermined threshold.

18. The device in accordance with any of the claims 11 - 17, wherein said device comprises a stored list, said list comprising a plurality of identities, wherein each of said plurality of identities is coupled to a subset of said first set of frequency channels and wherein each of said subsets of said first set of frequency channels is associated with a performance index, wherein retrieve equipment is further arranged for: selecting said subset that has a highest performance index within said list.

19. The device in accordance with any of the claims 11 - 18, wherein the process30 equipment is further arranged for, prior to performing said frequency hopping: performing a listen-before-talk, LBT, procedure in a frequency channel comprised in said subset of said first set of frequency channels.P110824W0012120. The device in accordance with claim 19, wherein said second wireless communication network comprises a subset of primary frequency channels, within said second frequency range, and wherein the process equipment is further arranged for: performing said LBT procedure for the channels comprised in the subset of 5 said first set of frequency channels at least partially overlapping with the subset of primary frequency channels.

21. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a device in a first wireless communication10 network, cause said device to implement a method in accordance with any of the claims 1 - 10.

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