TDM In-Device Coexistence Interference Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-device coexistence interference occurs due to overlapping or adjacent radio spectrums in wireless communication devices with multiple radio transceivers, leading to significant degradation in signal reception and transmission, particularly around the 2.4GHz ISM band, where LTE, WiFi, and Bluetooth radios operate, causing interference that existing solutions struggle to effectively manage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) method where a central control entity in the wireless communication device determines a desired TDM pattern based on traffic and scheduling information from co-located radio modules and transmits this information to the base station to configure Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters, such as longDRX-Cycle and OnDurationTimer, to minimize interference by creating gaps in transmission and reception periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radio transceivers operate simultaneously in overlapping or adjacent spectrums, then wireless communication functionality is enhanced, but in-device coexistence interference occurs causing signal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operation time of multiple radio transceivers by introducing TDM patterns with specific ON and OFF durations. The first radio transceiver operates during its assigned time windows while the second radio transceiver is turned off, and vice versa during its assigned windows. This temporal segmentation eliminates spectrum overlap interference while maintaining multi-radio functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If TDM patterns are configured to avoid interference between radio transceivers, then coexistence interference is reduced, but scheduling flexibility is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic TDM pattern configuration where the base station receives capability information indicating the UE's supported TDM patterns. The base station then selects and configures appropriate TDM patterns based on current traffic conditions, channel state, and interference requirements. This dynamic adaptation maintains scheduling flexibility while ensuring interference avoidance through configurable ON/OFF durations and patterns.
3Productivity
If the first radio transceiver transmits signals, then communication capability is maintained, but the second radio transceiver reception suffers from interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic TDM patterns where the first radio transceiver transmits during its assigned ON duration windows and remains OFF during the second radio transceiver's reception windows. This periodic switching ensures that transmission and reception operations do not overlap in time, eliminating interference while maintaining both transmission capability and reception quality through regular, predictable operation cycles.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of TDM in-device coexistence (IDC) interference avoidance is proposed. In a wireless communication device, a first radio module is co-located with a second radio module in the same device platform. The first radio module obtains traffic and scheduling information of the second radio module. The first radio module then determines a desired TDM pattern based on the traffic and scheduling information to prevent IDC interference with the second radio module. The first radio module also transmits TDM coexistence pattern information based on the desired TDM pattern to a base station. In one embodiment, the TDM coexistence pattern information comprises a recommended TDM pattern periodicity and a scheduling period to maximize IDC efficiency subject to limited level of IDC interference possibility. In one specific example, the TDM coexistence pattern information comprises a set of discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration parameters defined in long-term evolution (LTE) 3GPP standards.