WLAN-Bluetooth Coexistence via Aggregated Time Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Interference between WLAN and Bluetooth connections in smart devices leads to issues like low throughput, disconnections, and latency due to shared antenna usage in the 2.4 GHz band, affecting data traffic and communication quality.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an aggregation mechanism to bundle adjacent periodic tasks of multiple Bluetooth connections and using a prediction algorithm to calculate next BT duration and grant time, which is shared with WLAN to improve scheduling and reduce interference, along with dynamic medium sharing and scaling to prioritize fair resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If WLAN and Bluetooth share the same 2.4 GHz antenna for simultaneous connections, then device complexity is reduced and portability is improved, but interference between data streams occurs resulting in lost data and increased latency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna structureVSAvoiddata transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) mechanism that divides the shared antenna into periodic time slots allocated to different wireless technologies. WLAN and Bluetooth connections are served alternately in predetermined time intervals, ensuring periodic action where each technology receives dedicated transmission windows without simultaneous operation, thereby eliminating interference while maintaining shared hardware architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary scheduling of time slots for WLAN and Bluetooth transmissions before actual data transfer occurs. The TDM framework pre-allocates specific time windows for each technology based on their respective requirements, allowing the system to proactively prevent interference by establishing transmission schedules in advance rather than reacting to conflicts during simultaneous operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple Bluetooth connections are established simultaneously with WLAN, then connectivity versatility is improved, but interference between connections increases causing disconnections and throughput degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection capabilityVSAvoiddata throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the shared antenna resource into distinct time slots for different Bluetooth connections and WLAN operations. Each Bluetooth connection receives dedicated time windows for transmission, preventing overlapping data streams from multiple BT connections and WLAN simultaneously using the antenna. This segmentation allows multiple connections to coexist without interference while maintaining overall system productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The TDM mechanism dynamically adjusts time slot allocations based on the number and requirements of active Bluetooth connections and WLAN traffic patterns. When multiple BT connections are established, the system adaptively redistributes time slots to accommodate the increased number of connections while ensuring each maintains sufficient bandwidth, thereby maintaining versatility without sacrificing throughput through rigid fixed allocations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the antenna is granted to Bluetooth for periodic tasks, then Bluetooth connection reliability is improved, but WLAN data traffic experiences increased latency due to scheduled interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBluetooth connectionVSAvoidWLAN latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic Bluetooth tasks within a TDM framework where Bluetooth receives scheduled time slots at regular intervals. These periodic allocations ensure Bluetooth connection reliability by guaranteeing dedicated transmission windows, while the structured periodic nature allows WLAN to predict and plan around these interruptions, minimizing overall latency impact through consistent timing patterns rather than random interruptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes time slot parameters including duration, frequency, and allocation ratios based on real-time requirements of Bluetooth and WLAN traffic. When Bluetooth periodic tasks require more bandwidth, the TDM scheduler adjusts the time slot parameters to allocate sufficient resources, while automatically compensating by adjusting WLAN slot timing to minimize latency, thereby balancing reliability improvement with time loss management through parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10555328B2Scalable coexistence scheme for WLAN operation with multiple periodic BT connections

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 BROADCOM INC

AI summary

Wireless communication devices capable of both wireless local area network (WLAN) and Bluetooth (BT) network communication, and related methods, are provided. In some implementations, the BT network includes a plurality of BT connections. One wireless communication device is configured to determine an aggregated time schedule for the plurality of BT connections and determine a WLAN schedule based on the aggregated time schedule. The device is configured to remap a BT scan schedule based on a WLAN traffic type, a selected duty cycle of the BT connection, and a remapping window.