Multi-Radio Traffic Scheduler for Interference Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Simultaneous use of multiple communication technologies by multi-radio devices leads to interference due to overlapping frequency bands, causing service degradation, poor voice quality, data errors, and loss of communication links.
Innovation Solution
A communication device manages traffic by determining if a transmission from one technology is in progress before initiating another, using a traffic scheduler to coordinate WiFi and Bluetooth transmissions through time division multiplexing, employing a Bluetooth driver to schedule transmissions and notify the WiFi network of unavailability, thereby preventing interference and data collision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication technologies are used simultaneously in a multi-radio device, then communication versatility is improved, but signal interference increases causing service degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication spectrum by assigning different frequency bands to different communication technologies (e.g., WiFi uses 2.4 GHz/5 GHz bands while Bluetooth uses 2.4 GHz but with time-division multiplexing). This spatial and temporal segmentation allows multiple radios to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between versatility and interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a traffic scheduler that performs preliminary actions by checking whether a transmission from one communication technology is already in progress before allowing another transmission to start. This preliminary check and coordination mechanism prevents overlapping transmissions that would cause interference, enabling multiple technologies to coexist peacefully.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radios operate in adjacent/overlapping frequency bands, then device functionality is improved, but transceiver distinction between desired and undesired signals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a traffic scheduler as an intermediary component that mediates between different communication technologies. This scheduler acts as a coordinator that manages transmission rights, ensuring that only one transmission occurs at a time across all radios. The intermediary prevents the transceiver from receiving mixed signals, making it easy to distinguish between desired and undesired signals by eliminating the interference problem in the first place.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If time division multiplexing is used to coordinate transmissions, then signal interference is reduced, but transmission coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the traffic scheduler automatically manages transmission coordination based on simple rules: check if a transmission is in progress, wait if necessary, and proceed when safe. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex external coordination systems or manual intervention, reducing the overall system complexity while still achieving effective interference avoidance through time division multiplexing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a communication device for managing communication traffic for multiple communication technologies are provide. The method, performed by a communication device to manage communications with a first and a second network having a first and a second communication technology, respectively, includes: determining, by a second communication module, whether a first transmission of the first communication technology is in progress before proceeding with a second transmission having the second communication technology; when the first transmission is in progress, initiating, by a second communication module, an unavailable period of the first communication technology; initiating, by a second communication module, notification of the unavailability of the first communication technology to the first network; and proceeding, by the second communication module, with the second transmission.