Multi-Radio Coexistence via Time-Frequency Masking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth radios operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band experience interference with other wireless technologies, leading to decreased data throughput and increased power consumption due to lack of effective coexistence mechanisms in collocated and non-collocated scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that predict radio activity in both time and frequency dimensions to generate a time and frequency mask, allowing lower priority radios to schedule transmissions and receptions to avoid interference, using collocated and non-collocated radio information to create a mask that indicates potential interference points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radios operate in overlapping or adjacent frequency bands simultaneously, then wireless connectivity and functionality are improved, but radio frequency interference increases causing decreased data throughput and increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary prediction of radio activity in both time and frequency dimensions before actual transmission occurs. By analyzing historical and current usage patterns, the system generates a time and frequency mask in advance that indicates where interference may be expected, allowing lower priority radios to proactively schedule transmissions to avoid predicted interference points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends traditional time-domain coexistence mechanisms into the frequency dimension by creating a two-dimensional time and frequency mask. This dual-dimensional approach allows the system to identify and avoid interference not only in time slots but also in specific frequency channels, providing more granular control over spectrum usage and enabling simultaneous transmissions in frequency regions that are not affected by interference.
2Productivity
If coexistence mechanisms are implemented to reduce radio frequency interference, then data throughput and power consumption are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional prediction and scheduling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The coexistence predictor is designed as a universal mechanism that handles multiple radio types (collocated and non-collocated) operating in overlapping or adjacent frequency bands. The single prediction system generates a comprehensive time and frequency mask that applies to all lower priority radios, eliminating the need for separate coexistence mechanisms for each radio pair and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses available collocated radio information (frequency usage, MAC-level timing, hardware interface information) and non-collocated radio information (over-the-air and carrier sense information) to enable radios to self-schedule their transmissions. Each radio can independently use the generated time and frequency mask to avoid interference without requiring complex centralized coordination, allowing the system to serve itself through autonomous decision-making based on predicted interference patterns.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If transmissions are scheduled to avoid predicted interference points, then radio frequency interference is reduced, but transmission time delays increase due to scheduling constraints
Solution Approach 1:
By extending coexistence mechanisms into the frequency dimension, the system can schedule transmissions in the frequency domain rather than only in time. The time and frequency mask identifies specific frequency channels that are free from interference at given time slots, allowing transmissions to proceed simultaneously in unaffected frequency regions. This dimensional extension reduces the need for time delays by providing alternative frequency pathways for concurrent transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by treating different frequency channels differently based on their individual interference characteristics. Rather than applying a blanket time-domain restriction to all frequencies, the time and frequency mask identifies specific local regions in the frequency spectrum that are free from interference at particular times. This allows transmissions to proceed in those local frequency regions without delay, while only restricting transmissions in specific frequency channels where interference is predicted.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for multi-radio coexistence receives historical frequency usage information and historical time usage information from a first radio. The method creates a time and frequency mask by extrapolating the historical frequency and time usage information to future times and frequencies when the first radio will be active and uses the time and frequency mask to schedule a second radio to avoid receiving when the first radio will likely be active. A related apparatus has a collocated radio input for receiving timing usage information, a non-collocated radio input for receiving frequency usage information, and a time and frequency mask generator for creating a time and frequency mask using the timing usage information and the frequency usage information. The method and apparatus predicts collocated and non-collocated radio activity in both the time and frequency dimensions to reduce interference among radios operating in overlapping or adjacent frequency bands.