Bluetooth HCI Transport Switching for Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Bluetooth wireless systems, the functional block comprising the host is always required to be active for Bluetooth functionality, even when its core functionality is not needed, leading to power inefficiency, especially when devices like GSM handsets need to remain active for music streaming over Bluetooth headphones.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system for multiple HCI transport that allows control of the Bluetooth host controller interfaces to be assigned and switched among different hosts using protocol commands, enabling communication between multiple Bluetooth hosts and a single host controller without resetting the hosts or host controller, thereby allowing other hosts to take over HCI control when not needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the functional block comprising the Bluetooth host is always kept active for Bluetooth functionality, then Bluetooth connectivity is ensured, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic host controller interface (HCI) transport switching that allows the system to transition between different hosts based on operational requirements. The primary host can be deactivated for Bluetooth operations by switching control to a secondary host, enabling the primary host to enter low-power states while maintaining Bluetooth connectivity through the secondary host.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal HCI transport mechanism that can be shared by multiple hosts (primary and secondary). The secondary host is designed to take over Bluetooth controller operations when the primary host is not actively using Bluetooth, allowing the same hardware resources to serve multiple functional purposes and reducing overall power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple Bluetooth hosts share a single host controller interface, then power efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a seamless HCI transport switching mechanism that ensures continuous Bluetooth functionality during host transitions. The switching process is designed to maintain uninterrupted audio streaming and Bluetooth connections, with pre-negotiated transport paths and coordinated handover procedures that prevent service interruption while enabling power-saving modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary switching mechanism that manages the HCI transport between multiple hosts and the Bluetooth controller. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of host controller interface management, coordination, and switching decisions, shielding individual hosts from the complexity while enabling efficient power management through coordinated host activation and deactivation.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of a method and system for multiple HCI transport for Bluetooth® Host controllers may include communicating between a plurality of Bluetooth® hosts and a single Bluetooth® host controller by using one or more Bluetooth® host controller interfaces. Control of the Bluetooth® host controller interfaces may be assigned to one or more of the Bluetooth® hosts. Control of the Bluetooth® host controller interfaces may be switched among different Bluetooth® hosts using various protocol commands may be used to communicate between Bluetooth® hosts to control switching. Communications between Bluetooth® hosts may occur over interfaces different from the Bluetooth® host controller interfaces. Switching may occur without resetting the Bluetooth® hosts and Bluetooth® host controller.