Shared Reference Oscillator Arbitration for Wireless Subsystems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cellular communication systems, the use of multiple oscillators for different subsystems increases manufacturing costs and board area, as each oscillator must meet specific standards and requirements, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A central controller arbitrates the usage of a shared reference oscillator among subsystems, adjusting its properties to meet the requirements of prioritized requests, thereby reducing the need for multiple oscillators and optimizing resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple oscillators are used for different subsystems, then each subsystem can meet its specific standard requirements, but manufacturing costs and board area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal reference oscillator that serves multiple wireless subsystems (cellular, WLAN, Bluetooth, GPS) through dynamic reconfiguration. The oscillator can be programmed to generate different frequency outputs and meet the specific requirements of each subsystem, eliminating the need for dedicated oscillators for each subsystem and thereby reducing board area.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference oscillator is designed with dynamic reconfiguration capability, allowing its frequency and operational characteristics to be changed in real-time based on which subsystem is currently active. This dynamic adaptation enables a single oscillator to replace multiple static oscillators, reducing the overall board area while maintaining compliance with each subsystem's standards.
2Reliability
If multiple oscillators are used for different subsystems, then each subsystem can meet its specific standard requirements, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal reference oscillator that serves multiple wireless subsystems (cellular, WLAN, Bluetooth, GPS) through dynamic reconfiguration. The oscillator can be programmed to generate different frequency outputs and meet the specific requirements of each subsystem, eliminating the need for dedicated oscillators for each subsystem and thereby reducing board area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple oscillator functions into a single integrated reference oscillator unit. By merging the functionality of what would traditionally require separate oscillators for cellular, WLAN, Bluetooth, and GPS subsystems into one reconfigurable unit, the patent reduces component count, simplifies manufacturing, and lowers overall cost while maintaining the ability to meet each subsystem's specific requirements.
3Area of stationary object
If a single shared reference oscillator is used, then manufacturing costs and board area are reduced, but the oscillator must be dynamically reconfigured to meet different subsystem requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an arbitration mechanism and control logic that acts as an intermediary between multiple subsystems and the shared reference oscillator. This mediator receives requests from different subsystems, determines the appropriate configuration, and dynamically reconfigures the oscillator accordingly. This intermediary layer manages the complexity of coordinating multiple subsystem requirements while enabling the benefits of a shared oscillator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic arbitration and reconfiguration cycles where the shared reference oscillator is systematically allocated to different subsystems based on their current operational needs. This periodic management approach organizes the complexity of sharing a single oscillator among multiple subsystems with different requirements, ensuring each subsystem receives appropriate configuration when active.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single shared reference oscillator is used, then manufacturing costs and board area are reduced, but arbitration mechanisms are required to manage multiple subsystems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an arbitration mechanism and control logic that acts as an intermediary between multiple subsystems and the shared reference oscillator. This mediator receives requests from different subsystems, determines the appropriate configuration, and dynamically reconfigures the oscillator accordingly. This intermediary layer manages the complexity of coordinating multiple subsystem requirements while enabling the benefits of a shared oscillator.
Solution Approach 2:
The arbitration mechanism is integrated into the system's existing control architecture, allowing subsystems to self-manage their oscillator allocation requests through programmed interfaces. The control logic automatically prioritizes and allocates oscillator resources based on predefined rules and current system state, reducing the need for external arbitration complexity while maintaining efficient resource management.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for controlling a reference oscillator shared by multiple subsystems of a communications system and arbitrating usage of the reference oscillator among these subsystems. By changing the properties of the reference oscillator (e.g., by tuning the reference oscillator) according to the needs of particular subsystem(s), the communications system can configure the reference oscillator to meet the specification requirements of these particular subsystem(s) and can later reconfigure the reference oscillator to meet the needs of other subsystems. Further, the controller can configure the subsystems based on parameters that impact multiple subsystems (e.g., by implementing geographic awareness, spectrum occupation awareness, and availability of Assisted GPS (AGPS) functionality) to achieve further optimization of the communications system.