Multi-radio Channel Measurement Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

When two radios are closely located, the transmit power from one radio can interfere with the receiving ability of another, leading to invalid channel measurements, even if they operate on different channels within the same frequency band.

Innovation Solution

A system where the second radio monitors a signal from the first radio to determine when it is transmitting, allowing it to selectively exclude or discard measurements during transmission periods, thereby preventing interference and ensuring accurate channel parameter data collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two radios are closely located to enable multi-radio functionality, then device integration and versatility are improved, but the transmit power from one radio interferes with the receiving ability of the other, resulting in measurement invalidity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-radio functionalityVSAvoidchannel measurement validity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having the first radio send a transmission indication signal before actual data transmission, and the second radio uses this advance notice to selectively discard measurements during transmission periods. This preliminary signaling mechanism prevents interference before it corrupts measurements, resolving the contradiction between multi-radio integration and measurement reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the second radio continuously monitors the channel to obtain accurate channel parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but transmit power from the first radio deafens the receiving ability of the second radio, causing false interference detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel parameter accuracyVSAvoidinterference from co-located transmitter

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by having the first radio send transmission indication signals to the second radio, creating a closed-loop communication where the transmitting radio provides feedback about its transmission state to the receiving radio. This feedback mechanism enables the second radio to distinguish between actual channel interference and self-inflicted deafening, maintaining measurement precision while accounting for harmful factors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful effect of transmit power deafening the receiver into a beneficial mechanism by using the transmission indication signal to mark measurement discard periods. What would normally be destructive interference is transformed into useful information that improves measurement accuracy by preventing false interference detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11375388B2Obtaining accurate measurements of a channel parameter by a multi-radio device with a co-located interfering radio

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In an example embodiment disclosed herein there is described a multi-radio device which comprises a first radio that first radio comprises a transmitter, and a second radio that second radio comprises a receiver that monitors a channel to obtain data representative of a predefined channel parameter. The second radio is operable to receive a signal from the first radio that indicates when the transmitter of the first radio is transmitting. The receiver of the second radio selectively excludes data representative of a predefined channel parameter based on whether the transmitter of the first radio is transmitting.