Shared LNA Gain Arbitration for Efficient Multi-Radio Co-Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication devices with multiple transceiver radios sharing a shared Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) face challenges in simultaneous operation due to differing gain modes requirements, leading to inefficient Co-Reception (Co-Rx) operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Packet Traffic Arbitration (PTA) circuitry to manage the shared LNA based on per-packet priority levels of transceiver radios, allowing dynamic gain mode adjustments to optimize Co-Rx throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple transceiver radios share the same LNA for cost reduction, then device cost decreases, but Co-Rx operation efficiency deteriorates due to conflicting gain mode requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The LNA gain mode is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to switch between different gain modes based on real-time reception requirements. The arbitration circuitry dynamically selects which radio gets access to the LNA and in what gain mode, enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions and resolve the efficiency problem while maintaining cost savings from sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the shared LNA by allowing it to operate in different gain modes depending on which radio needs access. The arbitration mechanism adjusts the LNA's gain parameter dynamically, switching between high gain and low gain modes to satisfy the requirements of different radios receiving different signal strengths.
2Reliability
If the shared LNA is allocated to one transceiver radio, then that radio's reception performance improves, but the other radio's access to the LNA is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The LNA is allocated to different radios in periodic time slots through the arbitration mechanism. When one radio needs the LNA, it is granted access for the duration of its reception operation, then the arbitration circuitry can allocate it to another radio. This periodic switching ensures that each radio gets reliable access when needed while maintaining overall system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The arbitration circuitry acts as an intermediary between multiple radios and the shared LNA. It mediates access requests from different radios, decides which radio gets priority based on current needs, and controls the LNA's gain mode accordingly. This intermediary enables fair and efficient resource allocation, ensuring both reliability for the active radio and versatility for the system as a whole.
3Measurement precision
If the LNA operates in high gain mode for weak signals, then weak signal reception improves, but strong signals may experience saturation and distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different gain modes locally to match the specific signal conditions each radio is receiving. Instead of using a single fixed gain mode for all scenarios, the arbitration circuitry selects the appropriate gain mode (high or low) based on the specific reception needs of each radio at any given time, ensuring optimal performance for the current signal conditions without causing saturation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for Co-Reception (Co-Rx) operation of multiple transceiver radios sharing the same antenna and Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) is provided. A first receiver radio of a wireless communication device determines the first gain mode of an LNA based on the first signal indicator. A second receiver radio of the wireless communication device determines the second gain mode of the LNA based on the second signal indicator. The LNA is shared by the first receiver radio and the second receiver radio and is coupled to an antenna. A Packet Traffic Arbitration (PTA) circuitry of the wireless communication device configures the LNA to operate in the first gain mode or the second gain mode based on the priority levels of the first receiver radio and the second receiver radio.