Thread RX Grant Throttling for 2.4 GHz Radio Coexistence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks face inefficiencies due to interference between devices using overlapping frequencies, particularly in the 2.4 GHz band, leading to inefficient allocation of time slices for radios like Thread and WiFi, which can cause undesired interference and resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a three-wire inter-radio interface for coordination between primary and secondary radios, allowing on-demand transmission and reception grants, with mechanisms for throttling requests to optimize resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radios share overlapping frequency bands, then device functionality and communication versatility are improved, but interference between radios increases and resource allocation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inter-radio interface as an intermediary mechanism between the primary radio and secondary radio. This interface mediates resource allocation and grant requests, coordinating transmission opportunities for both radios sharing the 2.4 GHz band. The interface acts as a mediator that resolves interference by establishing structured access protocols, allowing both radios to coexist without direct conflict.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If time slices are allocated for radio coordination, then interference between radios is reduced, but communication delay and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic time slicing where the secondary radio periodically sends grant requests to the primary radio at defined intervals. This periodic action structure allows the system to balance coordination needs with communication efficiency - the periodic nature ensures interference is managed while the intervals are optimized to minimize waiting time. The grant request mechanism operates periodically rather than continuously, reducing coordination overhead.
3Productivity
If grant request mechanisms are implemented for radio coordination, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radio coordination function into distinct modular components: a grant request sender in the secondary radio, a grant request receiver in the primary radio, and an inter-radio interface that connects them. This segmentation allows each component to be independently implemented and optimized. The modular structure manages complexity by breaking down the coordination mechanism into manageable, standardized interfaces rather than a monolithic complex system.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach is described for a wireless device comprising a transceiver and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver. In a thread-based device, a thread radio coexists with a primary radio, such as a Bluetooth or WiFi radio. Because both radio share a common frequency band, the thread radio requests grants from the primary radio for transmission and reception. So as to avoid bogging down the primary radio, the thread radio throttles its requests. Specifically, the thread radio tracks certain variables indicative of the number of requests that have been made within a time window and the types of requests that have been made to the primary radio. By limiting the number of total requests and the number of requests of each type within the time window, the thread radio avoids overburdening the primary radio.