Shared Antenna Arbitration for Multi-RAT Paging and Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication apparatuses face challenges in allowing one radio module to listen to paging signals without disrupting the data transmission of another radio module operating in connected mode, particularly when their Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle durations differ.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a processor to arbitrate the use of shared antennas and receiving circuits between radio modules, ensuring that one radio module can listen to paging signals without breaking the data transmission of the other by adjusting Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) reports and DRX cycle durations, allowing the second radio module to use the antennas when appropriate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If one radio module listens to paging signals using shared antennas, then the standby function is enabled, but data transmission of the other radio module may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by scheduling the paging reception timing to occur before or after the data transmission time slots of the connected radio module. The processor determines the DRX cycle timing in advance and coordinates it with the data transmission schedule, ensuring that paging reception does not conflict with ongoing data transmission. This preliminary timing coordination prevents disruption to data transmission while enabling standby functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the DRX cycle duration and timing based on the operational state of the connected radio module. When data transmission is active, the processor modifies the paging reception timing to avoid conflicts. The DRX cycle parameters are made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt the standby behavior according to real-time transmission requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between standby capability and transmission reliability.
2Productivity
If DRX cycle durations of multiple radio modules are different, then each module operates optimally for its own service, but timing conflicts occur during antenna sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The processor acts as an intermediary that coordinates between radio modules with different DRX cycle durations. It determines the timing relationships between modules with disparate DRX cycles (e.g., 80ms vs 160ms) and schedules antenna usage accordingly. The intermediary processor translates the different timing requirements into a coordinated schedule, managing the complexity of multi-module timing synchronization without requiring changes to the individual module DRX configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the timing parameters of the DRX cycles to resolve conflicts. By adjusting the phase offset or effective timing of paging reception within the DRX cycle, the system accommodates different DRX durations while avoiding timing conflicts. This parameter adjustment allows modules with different DRX cycles to share antennas without interference, maintaining both communication efficiency and timing coordination.
3Measurement precision
If the first radio module reports CQI to maintain data transmission, then transmission quality is monitored, but antenna usage conflicts with second radio module's paging reception
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic CQI reporting at specific time slots that are coordinated with the paging reception schedule of the second radio module. Instead of continuous monitoring, CQI is reported periodically at predetermined intervals that avoid conflicts with paging activities. This periodic action maintains necessary channel quality monitoring while freeing up antenna availability during paging reception periods, resolving the time loss issue.
Data Source
AI summary
In a communications apparatus first radio module communicates with a first wireless network and provides wireless communication services in compliance with a first RAT. A second radio module communicates with a second wireless network and provides wireless communication services in compliance with a second RAT. At least two antennas are shared by the first radio module and the second radio module. When the first radio module operates in an idle mode and when the timing of the first radio module performing a first receiving activity coincides with the timing of the second radio module performing a second receiving activity, the second radio module uses the antennas to perform the second receiving activity when a DRX cycle duration of the first radio module in the idle mode is shorter than a DRX cycle duration of the second radio module.