Dynamic Memory Frequency Adjustment to Avoid WiFi Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless networks in computing devices face reliability issues due to signal interference from capacitive, inductive, and electromagnetic coupling, which increases with higher operating clock frequencies and longer signal wires, making it challenging to maintain performance without physical shielding or increasing distance, especially in limited spaces of mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A computing system with a network interface that reports its operating frequency ranges to components, allowing them to adjust their clock frequencies to avoid overlapping with the network interface's frequencies and harmonics, thereby reducing signal interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If operating clock frequencies of computing components are increased, then processing performance is improved, but signal interference with wireless radio-based signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency adjustment where the memory operating frequency is continuously monitored and adjusted based on the current WiFi channel frequency. The system dynamically switches between different memory frequencies (e.g., 2000 MHz, 2133 MHz, 2400 MHz) depending on which frequencies would cause interference with the active WiFi channel, allowing high performance when possible while preventing interference when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter of the memory based on WiFi channel conditions. By selecting from multiple predefined frequency options and switching between them, the system adapts the memory frequency parameter to avoid harmonic overlap with WiFi frequencies, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining high performance and preventing interference
2Reliability
If physical shielding or increased distance is used to reduce signal interference, then wireless signal reliability is improved, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using physical shielding or increasing distance, the patent changes the operating frequency parameter of the memory to avoid interference. This software-based frequency adjustment eliminates the need for additional physical space for shielding materials or increased spacing between components, maintaining reliability without increasing device area
3Object-affected harmful factors
If memory operating frequency is reduced to avoid interference, then signal interference is minimized, but processing performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts memory frequency based on real-time WiFi channel conditions rather than using a fixed low frequency. When WiFi is not active or operates on non-interfering frequencies, the memory runs at higher frequencies (e.g., 2400 MHz) for optimal performance. When interference would occur, it temporarily reduces frequency only for the duration of the WiFi transmission, thus minimizing performance impact while still preventing interference
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the reliability of wireless signal transfer by minimizing interference between components and radio frequency signals, maintaining performance without the need for physical shielding or increased spacing, particularly beneficial for mobile devices with limited space.
Implementation Method 1
Signal interference between signals within semiconductor chips and between signals on printed circuit boards can result from capacitive coupling (electric field dominant coupling)
Implementation Method 2
Signal interference between signals within semiconductor chips and between signals on printed circuit boards can result from inductive coupling (magnetic field dominant coupling)
Implementation Method 3
Signal interference between signals within semiconductor chips and between signals on printed circuit boards can result from electromagnetic field coupling
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for efficiently performing power management for increasing reliable wireless signal transfer performed by mobile computing devices. In various implementations, a computing system includes a network interface and multiple components for processing tasks. The network interface sends, to at least a given component of the multiple components, an indication specifying the corresponding operating frequency ranges used by one or more radio modules used for wireless communication with an access point. The given component determines whether an operating clock frequency of the given component overlaps any of the received operating frequency ranges and associated harmonic frequencies. If so, then the given component changes the operating clock frequency to a frequency that does not overlap any of the received operating frequency ranges and associated harmonic frequencies.