Radio Manager Coexistence Scheduling for Wireless Interference

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Achieving effective coexistence among collocated and non-collocated radios in wireless networks is challenging due to cross-technology interference, particularly in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz ISM band, where technologies like IEEE 802.15.4 and Bluetooth operate, leading to reliability and latency issues.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining communication parameters, including a time and frequency hopping pattern, is implemented using a radio manager that receives parameters from multiple radio modules, derives a minimum time slot and frequency band, and creates a scheduling matrix to coordinate operations, thereby mitigating interference by aligning communications in time and frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple radios operate in the same device using different wireless protocols, then device functionality and communication versatility are improved, but cross-technology interference increases leading to reduced reliability and increased latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoidnetwork reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coexistence manager as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple radio modules (IEEE 802.15.4, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) operating in the same device. The coexistence manager collects usage information from all radios, creates time and frequency masks, and coordinates their operations to prevent interference. This mediator enables multiple radios to coexist by managing their spectrum usage, thereby maintaining communication versatility while improving network reliability through coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple radios operate in the same device, then communication versatility is improved, but time and frequency resource conflicts increase leading to higher latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoidcommunication latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic time and frequency mask creation that adapts to real-time radio usage conditions. The coexistence manager continuously monitors radio operations and dynamically adjusts the time and frequency masks to accommodate changing communication patterns. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize resource allocation on-the-fly, reducing latency by preventing conflicts before they occur while maintaining the ability to support multiple communication protocols simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a coexistence manager coordinates all radio operations, then interference mitigation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference mitigationVSAvoidcoexistence management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the coexistence management approach by creating separate time and frequency masks for different radio technologies. Instead of a monolithic management system, the coexistence manager divides the spectrum resource management into discrete time slots and frequency bands, assigning specific masks to each radio type (IEEE 802.15.4, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi). This segmentation simplifies the coordination process by providing clear, technology-specific rules for spectrum usage, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining effective interference mitigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3493635B1A method for multi-radio coexistence
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 STICHTING IMEC NEDERLAND
  • EP3493635B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3493635B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3493635B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for determining communication parameters comprising a time and frequency hopping pattern for a mobile communication device comprising a first radio module communicating with a communication device in compliance with a first protocol, a second radio module communication with a communication device in compliance with a second protocol, and a radio manager, the method comprising: receiving, in the radio manager, communication parameters from a first radio module; receiving, in the radio manager, communication parameters from a second radio module; determining a minimum time slot (Tmin) and a minimum frequency band (Fmin) based on the received communication parameters; deriving, in the radio manager, communication parameters for a communication requested from the at least one of the radio modules based on the communication parameters of the radio module requesting communication and the determined minimum time slot (Tmin) and the minimum frequency band (Fmin); and forwarding, by the radio manager (300), the derived communication parameters to the radio module requesting communication.