Intelligent Scheduler for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Bandwidth Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for wireless devices that implement both Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11 technologies face interference and performance issues due to inefficient bandwidth allocation, as Bluetooth devices operate at lower data rates, reducing the available bandwidth for IEEE 802.11 devices and compromising their performance.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent scheduler prioritizes active and inactive devices, reallocating resources to maximize performance by predicting which human interaction devices will be used, reducing polling of inactive Bluetooth devices and reserving time slots for IEEE 802.11 activity, thereby optimizing the allocation of shared resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If time sharing scheme is implemented to support both Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11 systems on the same device, then interference between systems is reduced, but IEEE 802.11 performance is compromised due to reduced available bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation that adjusts time slot assignments based on real-time device activity states. The scheduler transitions from static time sharing to dynamic resource allocation, where bandwidth portions are continuously adjusted according to whether Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11 devices are actively transmitting data, thereby optimizing IEEE 802.11 performance while maintaining interference reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of bandwidth allocation from fixed to variable based on activity detection. When Bluetooth devices are inactive, their allocated time slots are reclaimed and reallocated to IEEE 802.11, effectively changing the bandwidth parameter dynamically to favor high-data-rate applications while preventing interference
2Reliability
If polling schedule is maintained for all Bluetooth devices, then device responsiveness is ensured, but unnecessary polling of inactive devices reduces available bandwidth for IEEE 802.11
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by polling only the necessary subset of Bluetooth devices at any given time. Instead of polling all connected devices continuously, the system identifies active devices that require polling and suspends polling for inactive devices, performing only the necessary portion of the polling function to maintain responsiveness while conserving bandwidth
Solution Approach 2:
The scheduler monitors device activity states and autonomously adjusts polling schedules without external intervention. When a Bluetooth device becomes inactive, the system automatically stops polling it, and when activity resumes, polling is automatically restored, enabling the system to self-optimize bandwidth allocation based on actual usage patterns
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus for scheduling shared time resources. In one embodiment, Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11 interfaces with overlapping frequency ranges are managed by an intelligent scheduler entity or process that schedules time slots for human interaction devices based on predictions on which Bluetooth device is active. By reducing the number of time slots reserved for inactive Bluetooth devices, the scheduler can free up time slots for IEEE 802.11 systems without significant perceptible impact on the Bluetooth devices. The freed time slots can increase in IEEE 802.11 performance by providing additional bandwidth (which can be perceptible by the user), thereby increasing user satisfaction and experience.