RF Resource Scheduling for LAA and DSDS Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices supporting multiple radio access technologies (RATs) face performance degradation and power usage issues due to tune-away operations and the complexity of transitioning between networks, especially when leveraging unlicensed bands for improved performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing time multiplexing and time sharing of radio frequency (RF) resources in User Equipment (UE) devices to manage RF resource allocation, prioritizing operations, and requesting temporary deactivation or delays of Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedures to avoid interference between subscriptions, allowing for optimized RF resource sharing and seamless user experience across multiple subscriptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If a single radio is used to support multiple RATs and subscriptions, then device complexity and power consumption are reduced, but performance degradation occurs due to tune-away operations and scheduling conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidthroughput performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scheduling that adapts RF resource allocation based on real-time subscription priorities and LBT procedure requirements. The system dynamically adjusts the timing and prioritization of LBT procedures versus other RF operations (out of service scans, page decodes, receiver measurements) to optimize both power efficiency and throughput performance across multiple subscriptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent schedules LBT procedures in advance and identifies potential conflicts with other RF operations before they occur. By performing preliminary scheduling and detecting overlapping time requirements, the system can proactively resolve conflicts through temporary deactivation or delay requests, preventing performance degradation before it happens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If LBT procedure is performed for LAA subscription, then unlicensed band performance is improved, but interference occurs with other subscription operations requiring the same RF resource

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunlicensed band throughputVSAvoidinterference with other subscription operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a scheduling mechanism that acts as an intermediary between LAA LBT procedures and other subscription operations. This mediator detects time overlaps and coordinates resource allocation by temporarily deactivating or delaying LBT procedures when conflicts with critical operations (out of service scans, page decodes, receiver measurements) are detected, ensuring harmonious operation across subscriptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of scheduling conflicts between LBT procedures and other RF operations. By identifying overlapping time requirements in advance, the system can proactively request temporary deactivation or delay of LBT procedures, preventing interference with higher-priority operations on other subscriptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If RF resource is allocated to higher priority operation on second subscription, then critical operations are ensured, but LBT procedure on first subscription is delayed or interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecritical operation completionVSAvoidLBT procedure delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The scheduling mechanism serves as an intermediary that mediates between critical operations on the second subscription and LBT procedures on the first subscription. When conflicts are detected, the system intelligently coordinates resource allocation by temporarily deactivating or delaying LBT procedures, ensuring critical operations (out of service scans, page decodes, receiver measurements) complete without interference while minimizing LBT delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary identification of scheduling conflicts between critical operations and LBT procedures. By detecting overlapping time requirements in advance, the system can proactively schedule temporary deactivation or delay of LBT procedures, ensuring critical operations are completed on time while minimizing disruption to LAA throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10757733B2Throughput performance for LAA and DSDS deployments

Publication Date: 2020.08.25 APPLE INC

AI summary

A user equipment device (UE) may receive a schedule for a listen before talk (LBT) procedure for a secondary component carrier on a first subscription associated with the UE that includes a radio frequency resource of the UE. The UE may determine a requirement to perform at least one operation on a second subscription associated with the UE that also includes the radio frequency resource. The UE may determine that performance of the at least one operation (at least partially) interferes (time overlaps) with performance of the LBT procedure. In response, the UE may initiate at least one scheduling operation at the UE to avoid interference between performance of the at least one operation on the second subscription and performance of the LBT procedure on the first subscription.