Coexistence Management Circuit Mitigating Intermodulation Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Simultaneously operating multiple radio access technologies (RATs) in communications apparatuses can lead to inter-modulation distortion (IMD), causing interference that may fail certification requirements and degrade reception performance, especially when undesired IMD signals fall within forbidden frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
A communications apparatus with a coexistence management circuit that detects potential radio activities and adjusts transmission power or execution times to mitigate interference by estimating and checking for IMD signals, using an interference estimator, checker, and controller to ensure compliance with frequency band regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radio access technologies (RATs) are simultaneously operated in a communications apparatus, then the functionality and versatility of the device is improved, but inter-modulation distortion (IMD) occurs causing interference that degrades reception performance and may fail certification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The coexistence management circuit performs preliminary detection of potential radio activities and estimates IMD signals before they occur. By proactively identifying conflicting radio activities and predicting IMD interference, the system can pre-adjust transmission power or execution times to prevent interference, rather than reacting after interference occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The coexistence management circuit acts as an intermediary between multiple radio access technologies. It monitors and manages radio activities across different RATs, detecting potential conflicts and coordinating their operation to minimize IMD interference while maintaining multi-RAT functionality
2Power
If transmission power is increased to improve signal strength, then transmission performance is improved, but IMD signals become stronger causing more interference in forbidden frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes transmission power parameters based on detected radio activities and estimated IMD signals. The coexistence management circuit adjusts transmission power levels in real-time, reducing power when IMD interference is predicted and maintaining higher power when interference is minimal, thereby optimizing both transmission performance and interference mitigation
3Productivity
If radio activities are scheduled to occur simultaneously to improve productivity, then communication efficiency is improved, but reception performance degrades due to IMD interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing and scheduling of radio activities based on real-time detection and estimation. Rather than using fixed schedules, the coexistence management circuit flexibly modifies execution times of radio activities to avoid simultaneous operations that would generate harmful IMD signals, maintaining productivity while protecting reception performance
Data Source
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AI summary
A communications apparatus includes a plurality of communications circuits and a coexistence management circuit. Each communications circuit is configured to provide wireless communications services in compliance with a protocol. The coexistence management circuit is configured to manage radio activities of the communications circuits. In response to a detection result of at least two radio activities to occur in a subsequent packet time, the coexistence management circuit is configured to determine whether an interference signal related to said at least two radio activities falls in a predetermined frequency band, and when the interference signal falls in the predetermined frequency band, the coexistence management circuit is configured to adjust a transmission power or an execution time of one of said at least two radio activities.