WLAN Coexistence Controller for Opportunistic Resource Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication devices require separate circuitry for each protocol, leading to increased cost and size due to the need for multiple instances of transmitter, receiver, and controller circuitry to support multiple communication protocols simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of coexistence controller circuitry that orchestrates the shared use of resources between WLAN interface circuitry and alternate interface circuitry, allowing for opportunistic operation by suspending and resuming target wake-up time (TWT) services to accommodate alternate protocols, thereby reducing the need for multiple instances of circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate circuitry is included for each communication protocol (WLAN, Bluetooth, etc.), then each protocol can operate independently and reliably, but the device cost, size, and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple communication protocols (WLAN and Bluetooth) into a single shared radio frequency circuit. The coexistence controller manages protocol switching and resource allocation, allowing both protocols to share the same hardware resources (antenna, RF circuitry, baseband processor) rather than requiring separate independent circuitry for each protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared radio frequency circuit is designed to be universal, supporting multiple communication protocols through software-defined radio technology. The coexistence controller enables the circuit to dynamically switch between different protocols (WLAN, Bluetooth, etc.) and adapt to various communication standards, making the hardware multi-functional.
2Reliability
If separate circuitry is included for each communication protocol, then each protocol has dedicated resources, but the device cost and physical size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protocol-specific circuitries into a single shared radio frequency circuit. Instead of having separate WLAN circuitry and Bluetooth circuitry, both protocols share the same antenna, RF front-end, and baseband resources, significantly reducing the quantity of physical circuitry required in the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared circuit is designed with universal functionality to support multiple protocols. Through the coexistence controller and software-defined radio architecture, the same physical circuitry can be configured to operate as WLAN, Bluetooth, or other wireless protocols, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated circuit implementations.
3Reliability
If the WLAN interface operates continuously, then WLAN communication reliability is maintained, but it interferes with alternate protocol operations during overlapping time periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic protocol switching and resource allocation through the coexistence controller. The system continuously monitors the operational states of both WLAN and alternate protocols, dynamically adjusting their activation and resource usage in real-time to prevent interference while maintaining communication reliability for both protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The coexistence controller acts as an intermediary between the WLAN interface and alternate protocol interface. It manages protocol arbitration, determines which protocol should have access to the shared radio resources at any given moment, and coordinates their operations to eliminate interference while maximizing overall system utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
An example apparatus includes: wireless local area network (WLAN) interface circuitry configured to communicate using a resource; alternate interface circuitry configured to use the resource; and coexistence controller circuitry coupled to the WLAN interface circuitry and the alternate interface circuitry, the coexistence controller circuitry including: a first interface monitor coupled to the WLAN interface circuitry, the first interface monitor configured to determine characteristics of a target wakeup time (TWT) service of the WLAN interface circuitry; a second interface monitor coupled to the alternate interface circuitry, the second interface monitor configured to determine characteristics of an alternate activity period window of the alternative interface circuitry; a coexistence comparator coupled to the first interface monitor and the second interface monitor, the coexistence comparator configured to determine a predicted TWT service period of the TWT service that overlaps with a predicted alternate activity period window less than a threshold.