Dynamic Antenna Reconfiguration for Spectrum Harmonization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional co-existence techniques for radio frequency spectrum band harmonization in wireless communication systems lack flexibility and smart coordination methods, particularly for user equipment (UE) managing aspects of co-existence between different radio access technologies (RATs) like LTE-U and Wi-Fi, leading to interference issues in shared spectrum bands.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of dynamic antenna management, smart scheduling techniques, adaptive link reconfiguration, micro tune-away procedures, and first RAT assisted measurements by the UE to support concurrent operations of WAN and WLAN RATs in the same radio frequency spectrum band, such as the 5 GHz band, enabling efficient resource management and reduced interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional co-existence techniques are used to support different RATs on the same radio frequency spectrum band, then basic co-existence is achieved, but flexibility and smart coordination are lacking, leading to interference issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveco-existence coordination flexibilityVSAvoidinterference between RATs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic antenna management where the UE can dynamically reconfigure antennas between WAN and WLAN RATs based on real-time communication needs. The system transitions from static antenna allocation to dynamic reconfiguration, allowing the UE to adapt antenna usage patterns to current traffic conditions, thereby improving coordination flexibility while reducing interference through intelligent resource allocation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by implementing micro tune-away procedures that temporarily adjust communication parameters (frequency, power, timing) during brief intervals. This allows the system to modify operational parameters dynamically to accommodate both RATs on the same spectrum band, enhancing adaptability while managing interference through controlled parameter variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the UE supports concurrent operations of WAN and WLAN RATs in the same spectrum band, then resource management efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum resource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidUE coordination mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the antenna resources into separate groups for WAN and WLAN RATs, with the ability to dynamically allocate segments between different RATs. This segmentation approach allows independent management of each RAT's resources while maintaining overall system efficiency, reducing the coordination complexity by creating modular resource management structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the antenna system to serve both WAN and WLAN RATs concurrently with a single shared resource pool. The same physical antennas can be dynamically assigned to different RATs based on immediate communication needs, eliminating the need for separate dedicated antennas for each RAT, thus improving spectrum utilization while managing device complexity through resource sharing

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic antenna reconfiguration is implemented to support WLAN scans during WAN communications, then WLAN feature support improves, but WAN communication reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveWLAN scan capabilityVSAvoidWAN communication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic action by implementing scheduled scan opportunities during predetermined intervals when WAN traffic is minimal or during natural pauses in communication. WLAN scans are performed periodically at optimized times rather than continuously, allowing the system to maintain WLAN scan capability while minimizing disruption to WAN communication reliability through time-division multiplexing of scan operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing WLAN scans in advance during periods of low WAN activity or predicting future scan needs based on communication patterns. The system proactively schedules and executes scans before they are critically needed, ensuring WLAN feature support is maintained while WAN communications experience minimal impact through advance resource planning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3826344B1Radio frequency spectrum band harmonization
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3826344B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3826344B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3826344B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) may be communicating on a radio frequency spectrum band of a first radio access technology (RAT) using a set of antennas. The UE may determine, for at least one antenna of the set of antennas, that a demand requirement associated with the communications is below a threshold level and reconfigure, based at least in part on the demand requirement, the at least one antenna of the set of antennas to perform communications on the radio frequency spectrum band of a second RAT. Also, the UE may identify a time period associated with a rank mode modification schedule used for communications on a radio frequency spectrum band of a first RAT, identify a burst communication requirement on the radio frequency spectrum band of a second RAT, the burst communication requirement comprising a duration that is shorter than the time period associated with the rank mode modification schedule and reconfigure, based at least in part on the duration being shorter in time, at least one antenna of a set of antennas to perform burst communications during the duration on the radio frequency spectrum band of the second RAT.