Dual Receiver Mobile Station Frequency Switching Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices face challenges in processing increased data throughput during Downlink Dual Carrier (DLDC) mode due to limitations in processing additional timeslots, leading to potential data overload and reduced communication efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a mobile station with dual radio receivers that can simultaneously receive data on different frequencies, perform neighbor cell measurements, and switch frequencies quickly, allowing for efficient operation in DLDC mode by reducing the switching time and processing overhead through advanced software and hardware configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single receiver is used to receive data on multiple frequencies through frequency switching, then device complexity is reduced, but the switching time and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiver configurationVSAvoidswitching time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the reception function by dividing it across two receivers, where the first receiver handles data reception on the first frequency while the second receiver is pre-configured for the second frequency. This segmentation allows parallel operation and eliminates the need for time-consuming frequency switching in a single receiver.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second receiver performs preliminary configuration and tuning to the second frequency before the first receiver completes its current reception. This preliminary action ensures that when data reception needs to switch frequencies, the target frequency is already prepared, eliminating switching delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If two receivers are used to simultaneously receive data on different frequencies, then data throughput is doubled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidreceiver configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both receivers are designed with universal capability to receive on any frequency, but are assigned specific frequency roles during operation. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve doubled throughput while maintaining flexible resource allocation and avoiding the need for completely separate dedicated receivers for each frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the reception functions of two receivers operating on different frequencies into a unified data processing pipeline at the mobile station. By merging the output streams from both receivers into a single processing architecture, the system achieves high throughput while reducing the complexity that would arise from completely separate processing paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If frequency hopping is used to transmit radio blocks on different frequencies, then communication reliability is improved, but the number of required frequency switches increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidfrequency switching frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The second receiver is pre-tuned to the next frequency in the hopping sequence before the first receiver finishes its current reception. This preliminary tuning action ensures that when frequency hopping is required, the transition is immediate and seamless, maintaining communication reliability without incurring switching delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous data reception by having the second receiver ready to immediately take over when the first receiver switches frequencies. This continuity eliminates gaps in the useful action of data reception that would otherwise occur during frequency transitions, thereby maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP2485554B1Receiving data from a network on a first frequency using a first receiver and on a second frequency using a second receiver at a mobile station
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2485554B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2485554B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2485554B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Under Evolved EDGE (EDGE Evolution), a mobile device (mobile station) the feature Downlink Dual Carrier, DLDC, allows the device to receive data on two different frequency channels at the same time. According to an embodiment of the invention, a mobile station has means to receive (302) first data from a network (carrier) on a first frequency using a first receiver of the mobile station in a first timeslot, tune (306) a second frequency of the network (carrier) using a second receiver while the first receiver is receiving the first data during the first timeslot and receive (308) second data from the network (carrier) on the second frequency using the second receiver during a second timeslot that immediately follows the first timeslot.