Radio Modem Interface for Multi-Protocol Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual-mode radio modems in wireless communication devices face challenges in managing concurrent communications over different radio protocols, leading to potential interference and communication collisions, which can result in errors and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A radio modem interface and management system that receives scheduling information from the operating system and status from radio modem stacks to synchronize the periodic scheduling of radio protocols, using admission control and a Dual-Mode manager to prioritize protocols and allocate time slots efficiently, thereby avoiding collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single radio modem handles multiple radio protocols concurrently, then device complexity is reduced and versatility is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to message collisions and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the management of multiple radio protocols by introducing a dedicated control interface and scheduler within the radio modem that separately manages each protocol's timing and resource allocation. This segmentation prevents protocol interference while maintaining the single-modem architecture, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control interface between the operating system and the radio modem stacks. This intermediary layer coordinates scheduling information from the OS with status information from the modem stacks, acting as a mediator that resolves conflicts and synchronizes operations across multiple protocols to prevent message collisions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radio protocols are scheduled independently, then protocol flexibility is maintained, but communication quality deteriorates due to uncoordinated time slots and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control interface continuously receives status information from the radio modem stacks about their operational state and timing requirements. This feedback loop enables the scheduler to adjust time slot allocations in real-time, ensuring precise timing synchronization across multiple protocols while maintaining scheduling flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the control interface receive and process scheduling information from the operating system before actual communication occurs. The scheduler pre-calculates optimal time slot allocations and coordinates protocol activation sequences, preventing timing conflicts before they arise and ensuring high-quality synchronized communication.
3Device complexity
If a centralized control system manages all radio modems, then coordination is simplified, but system response time increases due to processing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function by placing an autonomous scheduler within the radio modem itself rather than relying solely on a centralized control system. This embedded scheduler can make real-time timing decisions locally without waiting for centralized processing, significantly reducing response time while the control interface maintains overall coordination simplicity.
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AI summary
In accordance with an example embodiment, a radio modem in a wireless communication device is provided, the radio modem comprising: means for providing a respective protocol stack for at least two radio protocols for communicating using at least one of at least two radio protocols that share access to a physical layer, means for receiving operational information comprising scheduling information that includes activity pattern information that defines multiple time periods during which the radio modem is allowed or disallowed to communicate, wherein the operational information is based on scheduling for all radio modems in the wireless communication device; means for receiving status information directly from the at least two radio protocols, wherein the status information includes information related to current message queue for each of the at least two radio protocols; means for determining priorities for the at least two radio protocols during at least one time period during which the radio modem is allowed to communicate based on the operational information and the status information corresponding to the at least two radio protocols; and means for wirelessly communicating according to an operational schedule created for each of the at least two radio protocols for accessing the physical layer based on the determined priorities to allow the radio modem to communicate over the at least two radio protocols.