Multi-RAT Radio Conflict Handling via Dynamic Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices configured to operate with multiple cellular communication protocols often face conflicts when sharing a single radio, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for sophisticated control algorithms to manage these conflicts, particularly in discontinuous reception modes.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to handle conflicts between radio access technologies (RATs) by prioritizing one RAT over another during conflicts and determining an appropriate next wakeup time for the suspended RAT based on factors like data pending, signal strength, and DRX cycle lengths, thereby optimizing battery life and maintaining stable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device uses separate functional blocks for each wireless communication technology, then each technology can operate independently without conflicts, but the device incurs additional costs, increased power requirements, and larger form factor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple wireless communication technologies (GSM, WCDMA, LTE) into a single radio access technology block. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate functional blocks for each technology, reducing device complexity, component count, and form factor while maintaining the ability to operate across multiple standards through a unified architecture
2Device complexity
If a device uses a single functional block to implement multiple wireless communication technologies, then manufacturing cost and power requirements are reduced, but conflicts occur when multiple protocol stacks are scheduled to use the radio at the same time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a scheduler as an intermediary component that manages and coordinates access to the shared radio resource among multiple protocol stacks. The scheduler resolves conflicts by determining which protocol stack receives radio access at any given time, preventing collisions and ensuring reliable operation of multiple technologies through a single radio block
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the scheduler continuously adjusts radio access rights based on current network conditions, protocol stack priorities, and traffic requirements. This dynamic management allows the system to adaptively resolve conflicts between protocol stacks seeking simultaneous radio access, maintaining reliability while using a single functional block
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple radio access technologies share a single radio in DRX mode, then power efficiency is improved, but conflicts occur when scheduled wakeup times of different RATs coincide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the scheduler predict and identify potential wakeup time conflicts between multiple RATs before they occur. By anticipating these conflicts in advance, the system can proactively adjust scheduling decisions, prioritize critical RATs, and prepare alternative wakeup strategies, thereby minimizing delays and missed opportunities while maintaining power-efficient DRX operation
4Reliability
If sophisticated control algorithms are implemented to manage conflicts between multiple RATs, then reliable operation is achieved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages conflict management complexity by focusing control on key parameters such as wakeup time scheduling, radio access priority levels, and protocol stack states. By regulating these critical parameters through the scheduler, the system achieves reliable multi-RAT operation with simplified control logic compared to managing all possible interaction parameters, thereby reducing processing overhead while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Handling conflicts between radio access technologies (RATs) in a device configured to operate according to multiple RATs. The device may be operated in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode according to each of a first RAT and a second RAT using a shared radio. It may be determined that a conflicting wakeup time is scheduled according to DRX cycles of the first and second RATs. The radio may be operated according to the first RAT at the conflicting wakeup time. The second RAT may not use the radio at the conflicting wakeup time. A next wakeup time for the second RAT may be determined from multiple possible next wakeup times. The radio may be operated according to the second RAT at the determined next wakeup time.