Antenna Sharing Between LTE and WLAN via Priority Arbitration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices face challenges in sharing an antenna between LTE and WLAN communication modes, particularly when both modes are enabled, as traditional time division schemes are inflexible and can cause application failures or errors due to incompatible operation timing and duration.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a message-based scheme where LTE and WLAN circuitry communicate using request and response messages to dynamically control antenna access based on operation priority and duration, allowing flexible sharing without relying on a time division scheme.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a time division scheme is used to share the antenna between LTE and WLAN modes, then antenna sharing is enabled, but application operations may fail or enter error states due to incompatible timing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic antenna sharing through a priority-based arbitration mechanism that allows LTE and WLAN modes to flexibly access the antenna based on real-time operational needs. Critical WLAN operations can preempt LTE access when necessary, and the system dynamically adjusts antenna allocation rather than following fixed time slots, thereby accommodating varying application timing requirements and preventing operation failures.
2Ease of operation
If a time division scheme is used for antenna sharing, then antenna access is controlled, but the scheme is inflexible and cannot accommodate operations with different timing restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from fixed time division to priority-based dynamic arbitration. The system assigns priorities to different operational modes (LTE and WLAN) and uses this priority parameter to determine antenna access rights in real-time. This allows the system to accommodate operations with different timing restrictions by adjusting access based on operational priority rather than fixed temporal slots.
3Productivity
If the antenna is reserved for LTE communications during periods when WLAN is not associated with an AP, then LTE operations can proceed, but critical WLAN operations cannot be performed in time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the LTE mode continuously monitors its operational state and provides feedback to the antenna sharing controller. When LTE is not actively transmitting or when its priority level allows, the system releases antenna access back to WLAN mode. This feedback-driven dynamic reallocation ensures that critical WLAN operations can access the antenna in timely manner without permanently sacrificing LTE communication efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In a particular aspect, a method includes performing a first communication operation associated with a first frequency band using an antenna of a wireless device. The first communication operation is initiated by first communication circuitry of the wireless device. The first communication circuitry is associated with a first communication protocol. The method further includes, based on a duration of a second communication operation, performing the second communication operation associated with a second frequency band using the antenna of the wireless device. The second communication operation is initiated by second communication circuitry of the wireless device. The second communication circuitry is associated with a second communication protocol that is different than the first communication protocol. The first frequency band at least partially overlaps the second frequency band.