Wireless Device Coexistence Calibration via Internal Coupling Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for managing coexistence of multiple wireless communication technologies in a single device are time-consuming and require external equipment, making it impractical to measure and mitigate interference effectively, leading to degradation in receiver sensitivity and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that calibrate coexistence of multiple sub-systems within a wireless device by activating a single transmitter to measure unwanted signals and store coupling data, creating a calibration database to adjust transmitter and receiver operations, thereby managing interference without external equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If external equipment is used to measure interference between sub-systems, then measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing time and process complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference measurement accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless device performs self-measurement of interference by having its own receivers detect unwanted signals from its own transmitters. The processor calculates coupling values based on these self-measured signals, eliminating the need for external measurement equipment and significantly reducing manufacturing time while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the measurement function from external equipment and transfers it to the device's own receivers. By using the device's internal receivers to measure unwanted signals from its transmitters, the process removes the dependency on external measurement tools and streamlines the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If coexistence measures are implemented for each device type, then interference mitigation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference mitigationVSAvoidcoexistence management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary measurement and calculation of coupling values during the manufacturing process. By pre-calculating the coupling between each transmitter-receiver pair and storing these values in a lookup table, the system prepares coexistence management data in advance, reducing the complexity of real-time interference mitigation during device operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of implementing complex real-time measurement and adjustment of coexistence measures during operation, the invention inverts the approach by pre-measuring and pre-calculating coupling values during manufacturing. This inversion shifts the complexity from operational complexity to a one-time manufacturing step, simplifying the device's operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transmitters operate simultaneously, then device functionality is improved, but interference between sub-systems increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidsub-system interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the processor uses pre-calculated coupling values to dynamically adjust transmitter power levels. Based on the coupling data stored in the lookup table, the system provides feedback control to reduce transmitter power when interference is detected, allowing multiple transmitters to operate simultaneously while maintaining acceptable interference levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention makes the transmitter power levels dynamic rather than fixed. By using the pre-calculated coupling values to adjust power levels in real-time based on which transmitters are active, the system enables flexible operation of multiple transmitters while dynamically mitigating interference through power adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2648336B1Management of coexistence of communicating sub-systems in wireless devices
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2648336B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2648336B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2648336B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of calibrating coexistence of several wirelessly communicating sub-systems within a wireless device wherein the wirelessly communicating sub-systems comprise several transmitters and several receivers which are interconnected through one or more interfaces, the method comprising: - activating one of the transmitters while maintaining the other transmitters off by causing said transmitter to transmit a first signal with a known set of characteristics; - measuring unwanted signal received at each receiver and originating from a coupling of said receivers with the activated transmitter; - storing coupling data derived from each of the measured unwanted signals in relation with the set of signal characteristics of the first signal and/or a set of unwanted signal characteristics, whereby forming a calibration database for adjusting operation of one or more transmitters and/or receivers to manage the coexistence of the plurality of wirelessly communicating sub-systems during normal operation of the wireless device.