Wi-Fi UWB Coexistence Sleep-Wake Schedule
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Solution Overview
Problem
The interference between Wi-Fi and ultra-wide band (UWB) communication systems, particularly in devices that support both technologies, poses a challenge for power management and coexistence, leading to inefficiencies and potential performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to determine active and inactive slots in a UWB ranging round, identify silent periods based on inactive slots, and create a sleep-wake-up schedule that aligns with these silent periods for Wi-Fi communication, allowing the Wi-Fi station to wake up during UWB silent periods and go back to sleep accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Wi-Fi and UWB communication operate simultaneously in the same device, then both communication functions are available, but interference between the two systems occurs leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The UWB ranging round is segmented into active slots and inactive slots, allowing Wi-Fi to operate during inactive slots when UWB is not transmitting, thereby avoiding interference while maintaining both communication capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic UWB ranging rounds with defined active and inactive slots, creating regular time windows where Wi-Fi can operate without interference, establishing a rhythmic coexistence pattern between the two communication systems
2Reliability
If Wi-Fi operates continuously to maintain connectivity, then communication availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Wi-Fi operates periodically during UWB inactive slots rather than continuously, maintaining connectivity during these scheduled windows while consuming less power by remaining dormant during active slots and non-critical periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically schedules Wi-Fi operations during UWB inactive slots without requiring external intervention, using the UWB timing structure to self-organize power-efficient Wi-Fi connectivity
3Measurement precision
If UWB ranging rounds use all slots for active communication, then ranging precision is improved, but no time is available for Wi-Fi operation causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
UWB ranging rounds are divided into active slots for precision ranging and inactive slots for Wi-Fi operation, allowing both functions to coexist by allocating specific time segments to each while maintaining UWB measurement accuracy during its designated slots
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts Wi-Fi operation timing based on UWB ranging requirements, creating adaptive time windows where Wi-Fi can operate during UWB inactive slots while ensuring UWB maintains its precision ranging capability
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining one or more active slots and inactive slots in an ultra-wide band (UWB) ranging round. The method also includes determining multiple UWB silent periods in the ranging round based on an arrangement of the inactive slots. The method also includes determining a sleep-wake-up schedule that aligns with at least one selected silent period of the multiple UWB silent periods in the ranging round, the sleep-wake-up schedule to be used for Wi-Fi communication. The method also includes waking up a Wi-Fi station (STA) for the Wi-Fi communication during the at least one selected silent period, then going back to sleep according to the sleep-wake-up schedule.