Arbitration Module for Wireless Topology Priority

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless network devices face data loss due to collisions between signals from different communication modules, such as WLAN and Bluetooth, when they attempt to communicate simultaneously, as their frequency bands overlap, leading to inefficient priority arbitration.

Innovation Solution

A wireless network device with an arbitration module that uses lookup and lock tables to determine priority access for communication modules, allowing for exclusive or mutual grants to prevent data loss by managing antenna access and communication protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication modules (WLAN, Bluetooth, WiMAX) operate simultaneously using the same antenna, then communication versatility is improved, but signal collisions occur causing data loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoiddata transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The arbitration module performs preliminary priority determination before actual data transmission. Lookup tables store pre-defined priority rules for different communication module combinations, and lock tables track current antenna access status. When a communication module requests antenna access, the arbitration module checks these pre-prepared tables to quickly determine priority without complex real-time calculations, resolving conflicts before collisions occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The arbitration module acts as an intermediary between multiple communication modules and the shared antenna. It receives access requests from WLAN, Bluetooth, WiMAX modules, consults lookup tables for priority rules, checks lock tables for current status, and grants exclusive access to the highest-priority module, preventing signal collisions while maintaining multi-module operation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequency bands of different communication modules overlap, then communication adaptability is improved, but signal collisions increase causing data loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication adaptabilityVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes priority rules in lookup tables for different frequency band combinations and communication module pairs. Before transmission, the arbitration module checks these pre-configured rules to determine which module has priority access, preventing collisions before they occur in overlapping frequency bands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The arbitration module mediates between communication modules operating in overlapping frequency bands. It receives requests, consults pre-stored priority rules from lookup tables, and grants exclusive access to the appropriate module, eliminating collisions while preserving the ability to use multiple frequency bands simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If priority arbitration is implemented without lookup and lock tables, then device complexity is reduced, but arbitration efficiency and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearbitration mechanism complexityVSAvoidpriority arbitration reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Lookup tables are pre-filled with priority rules for all possible communication module combinations and frequency band scenarios. Lock tables are pre-configured to track antenna access status. This preliminary preparation enables the arbitration module to make reliable decisions through simple table lookups rather than complex real-time calculations, maintaining low device complexity while ensuring high arbitration reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lookup tables and lock tables serve as intermediary data structures between the arbitration logic and the communication modules. They store pre-computed priority information and current status, allowing the arbitration module to reliably determine access priority through straightforward table queries, achieving both simplicity and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8769176B1Priority arbitration of coexisting wireless topologies

Publication Date: 2014.07.01 MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

A system including a first communication module to transmit or receive data via an antenna in accordance with a first communication standard; a second communication module to transmit or receive data via the antenna in accordance with a second communication standard; and an arbitration module. The arbitration module outputs a first mutual grant where both the first communication module and the second communication module are able to simultaneously transmit data via the antenna; a second mutual grant where both the first communication module and the second communication module are able to simultaneously receive data via the antenna; a third mutual grant where the first communication module and the second communication module are able to simultaneously transmit and receive data, respectively, via the antenna; and a fourth mutual grant where the first communication module and the second communication module are able to simultaneously receive and transmit data, respectively, via the antenna.