LTE Antenna Selection Control for Voice Slot Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-radio devices, the allocation of device antennas to both LTE and non-LTE radio modules can lead to degradation of non-LTE voice services due to LTE transmit antenna selection, resulting in lost voice slots when LTE performs antenna switching during concurrent operations.
Innovation Solution
A method to control antenna switching by determining the priority of operations between LTE and non-LTE radio modules, throttling LTE transmit antenna selection when a non-LTE module is engaged in a higher priority operation, thereby preventing antenna switching during critical voice or data transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If LTE radio module performs transmit antenna selection during concurrent operations with non-LTE radio module, then LTE spectral efficiency and MIMO performance are improved, but non-LTE voice service quality deteriorates due to lost voice slots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic antenna sharing control where the antenna allocation between LTE and non-LTE radio modules is adjusted in real-time based on operational priorities. The system dynamically switches antenna usage: during non-LTE voice calls, the antenna is allocated to non-LTE; during LTE data transmissions, the antenna is allocated to LTE. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing both functions to operate optimally at different times rather than competing continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic antenna switching synchronized with the timing of voice slots and data transmissions. The antenna is periodically allocated to non-LTE during voice slot periods and to LTE during data transmission periods. This periodic action ensures that voice slots are not lost while still providing opportunities for LTE data transmission, thereby maintaining both voice service quality and LTE productivity.
2Device complexity
If device antennas are shared between LTE and non-LTE radio modules, then device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but signal interference and service degradation occur during concurrent operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that manages antenna allocation between LTE and non-LTE radio modules. This controller acts as a mediator that coordinates antenna usage, preventing simultaneous access conflicts and signal interference. By introducing this control layer, the system maintains simple hardware (single antenna) while eliminating the harmful interference that would otherwise occur during concurrent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The single antenna is designed to serve multiple functions by being shared between different radio modules (LTE and non-LTE). Through intelligent control, the same physical antenna performs different communication functions at different times, reducing the total number of antennas required while maintaining service quality. This multi-functionality approach reduces device complexity without generating harmful interference.
3Productivity
If LTE transmit antenna selection is performed frequently, then LTE data transmission performance is improved, but non-LTE voice slot reception is degraded due to antenna switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of operational priorities before executing antenna switching. When a non-LTE voice call is detected, the system preliminarily determines that voice communication has higher priority and pre-empts antenna access to non-LTE, preventing voice slot loss before it can occur. This preliminary action ensures that critical voice communications are protected from interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous non-LTE voice service by maintaining uninterrupted antenna access during voice slots. The control mechanism guarantees that the antenna remains continuously allocated to non-LTE during voice communication periods, eliminating gaps or interruptions in voice slot reception. This continuity of useful action prevents voice slot loss while still allowing LTE data transmission to proceed during non-voice periods.
Data Source
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AI summary
Device antennas may be allocated such that a non-LTE module (e.g., GSM module or 1x module) shares the same antenna with an LTE DRx module. This may lead to degradation of a non-LTE voice service when the LTE DRx module performs LTE transmit antenna selection causing the non-LTE module to be switched to a different antenna during reception/transmission of voice slots, resulting in a loss of slots. Accordingly, a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for controlling antenna switching are provided. The apparatus facilitates a first radio module to use a first antenna for performing a first operation, detects that a second radio module will attempt to use the first antenna during transmit antenna selection for performing a second operation, and determines whether to switch use of the first antenna from the first radio module to the second radio module based on a type of the first operation.