Dynamic Antenna Sharing for Wireless Host Systems

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for wireless communication capabilities in information handling systems, particularly with the advent of 5G networks, poses a challenge due to space constraints and the need for multiple antennas, which are crowded and costly, especially when trying to support various RF channels and bands simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a system with an antenna controller and RF switches that allows for the sharing and dynamic reassignment of antennas between different wireless protocol subsystems, such as Wi-Fi and cellular, based on operational status and context, to optimize antenna usage and reduce the number of physical antennas required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are provided for different wireless protocol subsystems (Wi-Fi, cellular, OOB Wi-Fi), then wireless communication capabilities are improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilitiesVSAvoidantenna system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a shared antenna system where a single antenna can be dynamically assigned to different wireless protocol subsystems (host Wi-Fi, host cellular, OOB Wi-Fi) based on operational requirements. The antenna controller monitors the operational status of each subsystem and reassigns the antenna accordingly, allowing one antenna to serve multiple functions and reducing the total number of antennas needed in the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna assignment is made dynamic rather than static. The antenna controller continuously monitors the operational status of different wireless subsystems and reassigns the shared antenna in real-time based on current needs. This dynamic reassignment allows the system to adapt to changing wireless communication requirements without requiring dedicated antennas for each protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antennas are provided for different wireless protocol subsystems, then wireless communication capabilities are improved, but the number of components and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilitiesVSAvoidnumber of antennas

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a shared antenna system where a single antenna can be dynamically assigned to different wireless protocol subsystems (host Wi-Fi, host cellular, OOB Wi-Fi) based on operational requirements. The antenna controller monitors the operational status of each subsystem and reassigns the antenna accordingly, allowing one antenna to serve multiple functions and reducing the total number of antennas needed in the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the antenna resources of multiple wireless protocol subsystems into a single shared antenna. By combining the antenna functions that were previously separate and dedicated, the system reduces the total quantity of antennas while maintaining the ability to support multiple wireless protocols through time-multiplexed sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If dedicated OOB Wi-Fi radio functionality is maintained with separate antennas, then out-of-band communication reliability is improved, but space occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveout-of-band communication reliabilityVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna assignment is made dynamic rather than static. The antenna controller continuously monitors the operational status of different wireless subsystems and reassigns the shared antenna in real-time based on current needs. This dynamic reassignment allows the system to adapt to changing wireless communication requirements without requiring dedicated antennas for each protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an antenna controller as an intermediary component that manages the shared antenna allocation among different wireless protocol subsystems. This controller acts as a mediator that ensures reliable OOB Wi-Fi communication by prioritizing antenna assignment to the OOB subsystem when needed, while also managing the shared resource efficiently to reduce overall space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11601186B1System and method for dynamic pairing of a host and out-of-band radio using radio and embedded controller contextual telemetry

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system include a processor; a memory; a power management unit; a wireless interface adapter for transceiving wireless communications via RF waves having a third wireless protocol subsystem operatively and selectively couplable to one of a first antenna and a second antenna via an RF switch to initiate OOB communications with a network; and an antenna controller operatively coupled to the RF switch configured to receive radio telemetry data indicating radio connection status information of the first wireless protocol subsystem, the second wireless protocol subsystem, and the third wireless protocol subsystem; and determine assignment of one of the first antenna and second antenna to be a shared antenna and switched to the third wireless protocol subsystem based on the operational status of the first wireless protocol subsystem, second wireless protocol subsystem, and third wireless protocol subsystem.