Wireless Terminal Time Slot Allocation for Multi-Protocol Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless terminals operating with multiple communication protocols like WLAN, WiMAX, and Bluetooth often experience interference due to their operation in overlapping frequency bands, leading to mutual interference and degraded performance when used simultaneously in a single device.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allocate time intervals and slots for concurrent communication sessions between a wireless terminal and base stations or access points using different protocols, synchronizing these sessions to prevent interference by inhibiting operations during overlapping time slots and utilizing retransmission mechanisms, such as in the Bluetooth eSCO mode, to ensure uninterrupted communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols (WLAN, WiMAX, Bluetooth) operate simultaneously in a wireless terminal, then communication versatility is improved, but mutual interference occurs due to overlapping frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time domain into distinct intervals, allocating specific time slots to different communication protocols (WLAN, WiMAX, Bluetooth). This temporal segmentation prevents simultaneous operation of interfering protocols, thereby eliminating mutual interference while maintaining multi-protocol capability across different time periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing where communication protocols operate in cyclic time slots. Each protocol is activated periodically during its allocated time interval, creating a rhythmic pattern of operation that ensures fair resource allocation while preventing interference through structured temporal separation.
2Reliability
If time slots are allocated for concurrent communication sessions, then communication reliability is improved, but transmission latency increases due to time slot synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary synchronization of time slots with downlink and uplink sub-frames before actual data transmission. By pre-aligning the time slots with the protocol-specific frame structures, the system eliminates runtime synchronization delays and reduces transmission latency while maintaining reliable communication through advance timing coordination.
3Reliability
If Bluetooth eSCO retransmission mechanism is invoked, then communication reliability is improved, but time slot utilization efficiency decreases due to retransmission overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of time slot conflicts into a beneficial retransmission opportunity. When a time slot overlaps with a downlink sub-frame, instead of causing data loss, the system deliberately invokes the Bluetooth eSCO retransmission mechanism, transforming the conflict into a controlled retransmission event that ensures reliable delivery while maintaining overall system efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for communication includes allocating time intervals for a first communication session over a first connection between a wireless terminal and a base station of a long-range wireless data network, which operates in accordance with a first protocol defining time frames having downlink and uplink sub-frames. Time slots are allocated for a second communication session over a second connection between the terminal and a peripheral wireless device, which operates in accordance with a second, short-range time-slotted protocol, which is different from the first protocol and has a retransmission mechanism. The time slots are synchronized with the downlink and uplink sub-frames defined by the BS. Operation of the second connection is inhibited during some of the time slots that overlap the downlink sub-frames, so as to invoke the retransmission mechanism and cause the terminal to transmit only during the time slots that do not overlap the downlink sub-frames.