Wireless Module Gain Control for Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless devices face performance degradation due to signal interference between co-existing wireless modules, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, leading to reduced transmitting range, sensitivity issues, and poor signal-to-noise ratio, as existing solutions like power and gain adjustments are limited by transmitter-receiver isolation.

Innovation Solution

A control method for wireless devices that dynamically adjusts the receiver gain and transmitter power of each module based on real-time transmitter and receiver time information to mitigate interference, allowing for synchronized adjustments of receiver gain and transmitter power to optimize performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power of the transmitting signal is lowered to mitigate interference, then the receiving signal quality is improved, but the transmitting range decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiving signal qualityVSAvoidtransmitting range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic time-based control where the transmitting signal power is adjusted according to the operational state of the receiver. The transmitter operates at full power when the receiver is not processing signals, and reduces power only during receiver processing intervals, creating a dynamic adaptation that resolves the contradiction between maintaining high transmitting range and ensuring receiving signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If the gain of the receiver is lowered to mitigate interference, then the transmitting signal power can be maintained, but the sensitivity deteriorates and near-far issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmitting signal powerVSAvoidreceiver sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver gain is dynamically adjusted based on the timing relationship between transmitter and receiver operations. The receiver operates at high gain when the transmitter is not transmitting, and reduces gain only during transmitter operation intervals. This dynamic approach maintains high receiver sensitivity while preventing interference degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the TX-RX isolation is increased to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then the receiving signal quality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidTX-RX isolation structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces time as an intermediary resource to separate transmitter and receiver operations. By using time-division coordination where the transmitter and receiver operate in alternating intervals, the system achieves effective isolation without requiring complex physical isolation structures, filters, or additional hardware components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical/isolation-based TX-RX separation mechanisms with a temporal coordination mechanism. Instead of using complex isolation structures, the system uses time-based control signals and coordination logic to achieve the same isolation effect, substituting mechanical/physical approaches with temporal/software-based approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If frequency division duplex is used to avoid signal collision, then the coexistence of wireless modules is improved, but the available channels are limited and performance degradation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless module coexistenceVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the operation of multiple wireless modules (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) into a coordinated time-division framework. Instead of treating them as separate systems requiring separate frequency resources, the invention combines their time schedules and coordinates their operations, allowing them to share the same frequency resources effectively while avoiding interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3716700B1Control method and wireless module applied to wireless device
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP3716700B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3716700B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3716700B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a wireless module (110; 120) applied to a wireless device (100), wherein the wireless module (110; 120) comprises a receiver (112; 122), a transmitter (114; 124) and a control circuit (116; 126). The receiver (112; 122) is configured to receive a receiving signal (V1; V3) from an electronic device external to the wireless device (100), the transmitter (114; 124) is configured to transmit a transmitting signal (V2; V4), and the control circuit (116; 126) is configured to control a gain of the receiver (112; 122) and controlling a gain of the transmitter (114; 124). In the operations of the wireless module (110; 120), the controller (116; 126) refers to transmitter time information and a gain of a transmitter (124; 114) within another wireless module (120; 110) to determine an upper limit of the gain of the receiver (112; 122), and/or the controller (116; 126) refers to receiver time information and a gain of a receiver (122; 112) within the another wireless module (120; 110) to determine an upper limit of the gain of the transmitter (114; 124).