Radio Activity Arbiter for Multi-RAT Antenna Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in coordinating radio activities across different radio access technologies (RATs) without collisions when a single antenna is used, necessitating efficient methods to manage channel and measurement activities.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an apparatus comprising multiple RAT modules and an arbiter that schedules radio activities to prevent collisions, allowing for coordinated channel and measurement activities between different RATs using a shared antenna, by interlacing schedules and utilizing a common timing base for efficient resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If multiple RAT modules share a single antenna for radio activities, then device complexity is reduced and resource utilization is improved, but radio activity coordination becomes difficult and collisions may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna quantityVSAvoidradio activity coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

An arbiter module is introduced as an intermediary between multiple RAT modules and the shared antenna. The arbiter receives radio activity requests from different RAT modules, schedules them according to a timing base, and coordinates their access to the shared antenna, preventing collisions while enabling resource sharing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic scheduling of radio activities across different RAT modules based on real-time conditions. The arbiter adjusts the timing and allocation of antenna resources dynamically, allowing flexible coordination of channel activities and measurement activities according to network requirements and signal conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If radio activities of different RATs are scheduled independently, then each RAT can operate optimally, but collisions occur when accessing the shared antenna

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradio service efficiencyVSAvoidcollision-free operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The scheduling functions of multiple RAT modules are merged into a unified arbiter that manages all radio activities across different RATs. This centralized scheduling approach combines the timing requirements of GSM, WCDMA, and other RATs into a single coordinated framework, ensuring collision-free antenna access while maintaining service efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Radio activities are segmented into different types (channel activities and measurement activities) and scheduled in time slots according to their specific requirements. The arbiter divides the time domain into structured intervals, allocating specific time resources to different RAT modules based on their activity types and priority levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If a single antenna is shared between multiple RAT modules, then hardware cost is reduced, but measurement and channel activities may interfere with each other

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna quantityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Measurement activities are scheduled periodically in dedicated time slots separate from channel activities. The arbiter allocates specific periodic intervals for measurement operations (such as neighbor cell measurements and serving cell measurements), ensuring that measurements are performed regularly without interfering with ongoing channel transmissions or receptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Measurement activities are performed in advance during idle periods or gaps between channel activities. The arbiter schedules measurement operations to occur before channel activities begin or during natural pauses in communication, ensuring that measurements are completed without disrupting active data transmission and maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8849272B2Methods for coordinating radio activities in different radio access technologies and apparatuses utilizing the same

Publication Date: 2014.09.30 MEDIATEK INC

AI summary

An apparatus for coordinating radio activities in different radio access technologies (RATs) is provided. A first RAT module performs a first channel activity, related to a first RAT, for transmitting or receiving information to or from a first cellular network by using an antenna, and requests that a measurement activity, related to the first RAT, is to be performed for measuring signal power of a serving cell and/or at least one neighbor cell in the first cellular network by using the antenna. A second RAT module requests that a second channel activity, related to a second RAT, is to be performed for transmitting or receiving information to or from a second cellular network by using the antenna. An arbiter schedules performance of the measurement activity between the first and second channel activities.