Uplink Subframe Puncturing for LTE-WiFi Coexistence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication devices face interference issues when multiple wireless technologies coexist, such as LTE and WiFi, due to overlapping operating bands, leading to performance degradation and the need for costly solutions like guard bands and filtering.

Innovation Solution

A controller is implemented in the device to dynamically restrict and terminate scheduled communication periods for one radio technology in favor of another, using HARQ processes and UCI information to selectively puncture uplink subframes, thereby reducing interference and optimizing coexistence without requiring hardware upgrades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If LTE uplink transmission is allowed to operate simultaneously with other radios, then LTE communication continuity is maintained, but receiving performance of other radios is significantly degraded due to interference in overlapping bands

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLTE communication continuityVSAvoidinterference to other radios

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts LTE uplink transmission by puncturing selected subframes based on real-time reception requirements of other radios. The controller continuously monitors and adapts the transmission schedule, terminating LTE uplink in specific subframes when other radios need to receive signals, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining LTE continuity and preventing interference to other radios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies periodic puncture patterns where LTE uplink subframes are systematically selected for termination based on predefined or dynamically determined patterns. This periodic approach allows other radios to receive signals at regular intervals while maintaining overall LTE communication continuity through systematic rather than random subframe termination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If guard bands and filtering are implemented to protect other radios from LTE interference, then receiving performance of other radios is improved, but device cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiving performance of other radiosVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical hardware solutions (guard bands and filtering components) with a software-based time-domain coordination mechanism. Instead of using additional hardware to prevent interference, the controller uses logical subframe puncturing to achieve the same protective effect, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining receiving performance of other radios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service interference protection through autonomous controller decisions. The controller automatically determines which LTE uplink subframes to puncture based on reception requirements of other radios, eliminating the need for complex hardware intervention mechanisms and enabling the device to protect itself from self-generated interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If LTE uplink subframes are punctured to allow other radios to receive, then interference is reduced, but LTE data transmission efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference to other radiosVSAvoidLTE data transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial puncture rather than complete LTE uplink termination. Only specific subframes are selected for puncturing based on when other radios need to receive signals, while the majority of LTE uplink subframes continue to operate normally. This partial action approach minimizes the impact on LTE data transmission efficiency while still providing necessary interference protection to other radios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2982204B1Termination of wireless communication uplink periods to facilitate reception of other wireless communications

Publication Date: 2019.06.05 MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD

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Figure 3A

AI summary

The present disclosure describes systems and techniques relating to wireless communications by devices that employ more than one wireless communication technology. According to an aspect of the described systems and techniques, a device includes: a first radio configured to communicate wirelessly with a first station in accordance with a first wireless communication technology, a second radio configured to communicate wirelessly with a second station in accordance with a second wireless communication technology, a controller configured to (i) terminate scheduled portions of time for sending communications from the first radio to the first station in favor of receiving communications from the second station to the second radio and (ii) restrict which of all available scheduled portions of time for sending communications from the first radio to the first station are provided for termination based on information about types of data transmitted in respective ones of the available scheduled portions of time.