Coexistence Module Arbitration Interruption for WLAN Bluetooth Antenna Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices with a shared antenna for WLAN and Bluetooth technologies face challenges in coexistence, leading to potential data loss and reduced data rates due to strict priority-based arbitration, where WLAN communications may be interrupted by Bluetooth transmissions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an arbitration request interruption technique using a coexistence module that manages antenna access by disabling Bluetooth requests during WLAN transmissions, ensuring timely completion of Bluetooth communications and maintaining data integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If strict priority-based arbitration is used to allocate antenna access between WLAN and Bluetooth modules, then Bluetooth communications can be prioritized during WLAN transmissions, but WLAN data packet loss increases and data rates decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveWLAN data transmission reliabilityVSAvoidWLAN data rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A coexistence module is introduced as an intermediary between the WLAN module, Bluetooth module, and arbiter. This mediator monitors the states of both communication modules and dynamically controls the arbiter's behavior, preventing the arbiter from granting antenna access to Bluetooth during active WLAN transmissions, thereby resolving the conflict between the two protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The coexistence module continuously monitors the transmission states of both WLAN and Bluetooth modules and provides feedback control to the arbiter. When WLAN is actively transmitting, the coexistence module sends signals to prevent Bluetooth arbitration requests from succeeding, ensuring WLAN transmission integrity while maintaining overall system coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Volume of moving object

If a shared antenna is used for both WLAN and Bluetooth technologies in compact devices, then device size is reduced, but coexistence problems arise between the two wireless technologies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidcoexistence reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coexistence module serves as a mediator that manages the shared antenna resource between WLAN and Bluetooth modules. It monitors both modules' states and controls antenna allocation dynamically, preventing interference and ensuring reliable coexistence while enabling the use of a single shared antenna in compact device form factors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static priority-based arbitration to dynamic state-aware arbitration. The arbiter's behavior is continuously adjusted based on real-time monitoring of WLAN and Bluetooth transmission states through the coexistence module, allowing flexible resource allocation that adapts to changing communication conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the arbiter grants antenna access to Bluetooth module during WLAN transmission, then Bluetooth communication can proceed, but WLAN communication is interrupted and data integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna allocation flexibilityVSAvoidWLAN data packet loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The coexistence module implements feedback control by continuously monitoring WLAN transmission state and blocking Bluetooth arbitration requests when WLAN is actively transmitting. This feedback mechanism prevents information loss in WLAN communications while maintaining flexible antenna allocation for Bluetooth when WLAN is not transmitting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by preventing Bluetooth arbitration requests from being processed during WLAN transmissions. The coexistence module proactively blocks conflicting requests before they can cause data loss, ensuring WLAN data integrity while maintaining overall system operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS8848676B1Apparatus and method for coexistent wireless and bluetooth communication employing interruption of arbitration requests to allocate use of a shared antenna

Publication Date: 2014.09.30 MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

An apparatus has first and second wireless communication modules with respective first and second wireless communication signaling terminals. An arbiter is coupled to receive a request for access to an antenna from one of the first and second wireless communication modules. The arbiter is operable to cause the antenna to be coupled to one of the first and second wireless communication signaling terminals in response to the request, and a coexistence module is operable to prevent the arbiter from receiving a request from the second wireless communication module to thereby allow a communication of the first wireless communication module.