Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Coexistence Channel Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Micro-AP mode in mobile communication devices results in higher power consumption and interference with existing WLAN deployments, and deciding on a minimum interference operational frequency increases power consumption, while concurrent BLUETOOTH connections may be terminated due to co-channel interference.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication device with both BLUETOOTH and IEEE 802.11 RF transceivers identifies noisy RF channels in the BLUETOOTH set and selects an IEEE 802.11 RF channel based on this information to minimize interference, allowing data communication over the selected channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If WLAN scanning is performed to decide the minimum interference operational frequency, then the operational frequency can be optimized to minimize interference, but power consumption significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs WLAN scanning and identifies noisy channels in advance, before the Micro-AP mode is activated. The results are stored and reused for channel selection, avoiding the need to perform scanning again when Micro-AP mode is entered. This preliminary action reduces power consumption while still achieving optimal channel selection.
2Productivity
If WLAN radio scanning is performed as an atomic operation, then channel selection can be completed, but concurrent BLUETOOTH connection may be terminated due to co-channel interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel selection process into two phases: identification of noisy channels (which can be done atomically) and selection of a clean channel (which is done after the atomic operation completes). By separating these steps, the BLUETOOTH connection is not interrupted during the critical selection phase, maintaining connection stability while still achieving efficient channel selection.
3Speed
If Micro-AP mode is used for direct communications, then high data rates are available, but power consumption from WLAN radio and host activities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the WLAN radio by selecting a clean RF channel that avoids noisy channels identified during preliminary scanning. This parameter change (channel selection) enables the Micro-AP mode to operate at high data rates with reduced power consumption by avoiding retransmissions and interference handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile communication device includes a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver and a second RF transceiver. The first RF transceiver is operative for communications in accordance with a first radio protocol (e.g. BLUETOOTH®) using a first set of RF channels, and the second RF transceiver is operative for communications in accordance with a second radio protocol (e.g. IEEE 802.11) using a second set of RF channels. The mobile device identifies a list of noisy RF channels in the first set of RF channels, detected through operation of the first RF transceiver in accordance with the first radio protocol. The mobile device selects one of the RF channels from the second set based on the identified list of noisy RF channels. The mobile device then controls operation of the second RF transceiver in accordance with the second radio protocol for communicating data to another communication device over the selected RF channel of the second set.