Multi-SIM Antenna Switching to Protect Power Amplifier Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems with multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) face challenges in managing power amplifier reliability during antenna switching concurrency, leading to potential reliability issues due to overlapping communications between SIMs sharing an antenna switch.
Innovation Solution
Implementing preventive actions such as limiting the allowable output power of the power amplifier, suspending transmission, or denying communications based on priority settings when overlapping SIM communications are detected, to ensure power amplifier ruggedness and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple SIMs share a common antenna switch for concurrent operations, then device complexity is reduced and versatility is improved, but power amplifier reliability deteriorates due to potential damage from overlapping transmit and receive operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection to identify when a receive operation is scheduled to overlap with a transmit operation before the damage can occur. By detecting the scheduling conflict in advance and preemptively adjusting the power amplifier output or blocking the transmit signal, the system prevents the harmful condition from arising while maintaining the ability to support multiple SIM concurrent operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a scheduling manager or controller as an intermediary component that coordinates between multiple SIM communications sharing the antenna switch. This intermediary detects potential conflicts and mediates resource allocation by adjusting power levels or timing, allowing multiple SIM operations to coexist without damaging the power amplifier
2Reliability
If the allowable output power of the power amplifier is limited to prevent damage during antenna switching, then power amplifier reliability is improved, but transmission power capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the allowable output power of the power amplifier based on real-time detection of antenna switch states and scheduled operations. When no receive operation is overlapping, the full power capability is restored. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high transmission power capability during safe conditions while protecting the amplifier during vulnerable periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power output parameter of the amplifier conditionally based on detected scheduling conflicts. By monitoring the timing of transmit and receive operations and adjusting the power parameter accordingly (reducing it during overlap, restoring it when safe), the system resolves the contradiction between reliability and power capability
Data Source
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AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may detect a first communication, associated with a first subscriber identity module (SIM) operating in a connected mode, that is at least partially overlapping in a time domain with a second communication associated with a second SIM operating in an idle mode. The UE may detect that a transmit chain associated with the first SIM and a receive chain associated with the second SIM are sharing an antenna switch. The UE may perform a preventive action based at least in part on the first communication associated with the first SIM overlapping in the time domain with the second communication associated with the second SIM while the transmit chain associated with the first SIM and the receive chain associated with the second SIM are sharing the antenna switch. Numerous other aspects are described.