U.S. patent application number 10/387249 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-05 for cooperative transceiving between wireless interface devices of a host device.
Invention is credited to Frank, Edward H., Ibrahim, Brima B..
Application Number | 20040022210 10/387249 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31191123 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040022210 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frank, Edward H. ; et
al. |
February 5, 2004 |
Cooperative transceiving between wireless interface devices of a
host device
Abstract
A method and/or apparatus for cooperative transceiving between
wireless interface devices of a host device includes processing
that begins by providing an indication of receiving an inbound
packet from one wireless interface device (e.g., Bluetooth
compliant radio transceiver, IEEE 802.11 compliant radio
transceiver, etc.) to another. The wireless interface device
receiving the indication processes the indication and, based on the
processing, transmits an outbound packet in accordance with the
processing of the indication. For example, the wireless interface
device receiving the indication may delay transmission until the
other wireless interface device has received the packet, or, if
transmission of the packet would not interfere with the receiving
of the packet by the other wireless interface device, the wireless
interface device receiving the indication would transmit its
packet.
Inventors: |
Frank, Edward H.; (Atherton,
CA) ; Ibrahim, Brima B.; (Los Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARLICK HARRISON & MARKISON LLP
P.O. BOX 160727
AUSTIN
TX
78716-0727
US
|
Family ID: |
31191123 |
Appl. No.: |
10/387249 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60400226 |
Aug 1, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/328 ;
370/465 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 28/14 20130101;
H04W 16/14 20130101; H04W 88/02 20130101; H04W 88/06 20130101; H04W
88/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/328 ;
370/465 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 007/00; H04J
003/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for cooperative transceiving between wireless interface
devices of a host device, the method comprises: providing, by one
of the wireless interface devices, an indication of receiving an
inbound packet to another one of the wireless interface devices;
processing, by the another one of the wireless interface devices,
the indication; and transmitting, by the another one of the
wireless interface devices, an outbound packet in accordance with
the processing of the indication.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing of the indication
and the transmitting the outbound packet further comprise:
determining that the one of the wireless interface devices is
receiving the inbound packet; and delaying transmitting the
outbound packet until the one of the wireless interface devices has
received the inbound packet.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing of the indication
and the transmitting the outbound packet further comprise:
determining whether the transmitting of the outbound packet would
interfere with the receiving of the inbound packet; when the
transmitting of the outbound packet would not interfere with the
receiving of the inbound packet, transmitting the outbound packet
while the inbound packet is being received; and when the
transmitting of the outbound packet would not interfere with the
receiving of the inbound packet, delaying transmitting the outbound
packet until the one of the wireless interface devices has received
the inbound packet.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one of the wireless interface
devices transceives data packets in accordance with a Bluetooth
standard and the another one of the wireless interface devices
transceives data packets in accordance with an IEEE 802.11
standard.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprises: adaptively adjusting
frequency hopping by the one of the wireless interface devices to
reduce interference.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprises: optimizing packet size
of the inbound packet and the outbound packet to minimize
transmission time and reception time.
7. A method for cooperative transceiving between wireless interface
devices of a host device, the method comprises: exchanging status
messages regarding transmission and reception of packets by the
wireless interface devices; processing, by each of the wireless
interface devices, received status messages; and transmitting, by
the each of the wireless interface devices, an outbound packet in
accordance with the processing of the received status messages.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the exchanging the status
messages further comprises: providing a status message to another
wireless interface device in response to a request.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the processing the status message
and transmitting the outbound packet further comprise: determining
that another wireless interface device is currently receiving an
inbound packet; and delaying transmitting the outbound packet until
the another wireless interface device has received the inbound
packet.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the processing the status
message and transmitting the outbound packet further comprise:
determining that another wireless interface device is expecting to
receive an inbound packet; and delaying transmitting the outbound
packet until the another wireless interface device has received the
inbound packet.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the processing the status
message and transmitting the outbound packet further comprise:
determining that another wireless interface device is transmitting
another outbound message; and delaying transmitting the outbound
packet until the another wireless interface device has transmitted
the inbound packet.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein the processing the status
message and transmitting the outbound packet further comprise:
determining that another wireless interface device is expecting to
transmit another outbound message; and randomizing delaying
transmitting the outbound packet in accordance with a random
transmission protocol.
13. A wireless communication device comprises: host module; first
wireless interface device operably coupled to the host module,
wherein the first wireless interface device transceives data
between the host module and a first external device in accordance
with a first wireless communication protocol; second wireless
interface device operably coupled to the host module, wherein the
second wireless interface device transceives data between the host
module and a second external device in accordance with a second
wireless communication protocol; and antenna section operably
coupled to the first and second wireless interface devices to
provide at least one radio frequency communication path between the
first wireless interface device and the first external device and
between the second wireless interface device and the second
external device.
14. The wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the
antenna section further comprises: a first directional antenna
operably coupled to the first wireless interface device; and a
second directional antenna operably coupled to the second wireless
interface device.
15. The wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the
antenna section further comprises: at least two antennas; and
antenna switch operable to couple one of the at least two antennas
to the first wireless interface device and to couple another one of
the at least two antennas to the second wireless interface
device.
16. A method for cooperative transceiving between wireless
interface devices of a host device, the method comprises:
determining, by a first wireless interface device of the wireless
interface devices, whether a second wireless interface device of
the wireless interface devices is transmitting a second outbound
packet; when the second wireless interface device is transmitting
the second outbound packet, determining, by the first wireless
interface device, whether transmitting a first outbound packet
would interfere with the transmitting of the second outbound
packet; and when the transmitting of the first outbound packet
would interfere with the transmitting of the second outbound
packet, delaying transmitting of the first outbound packet until
the second outbound packet has been transmitted.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprises: when the transmitting
of the first outbound packet would not interfere with the
transmitting of the second outbound packet, transmitting the first
outbound packet while the second outbound packet is being
transmitted.
18. A method for cooperative wireless communication by wireless
interface devices of a host device, the method comprises:
determining, by a first wireless interface device of the wireless
interface devices, whether a first communication between the first
wireless interface device and a first peripheral wireless device is
in conflict with a second communication between a second wireless
interface device of the wireless interface devices and a second
peripheral wireless device; and when the first communication is in
conflict with the second communication, resolving, by the first and
second wireless interface devices, the conflict.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the determining the conflict
further comprises at least one of: determining whether concurrent
transmissions by the first and second wireless interface devices
would cause interference of the first communication or the second
communication; determining whether transmission by the first
wireless interface device would interfere with reception by the
second wireless interface device; determining whether transmission
by the second wireless interface device would interfere with
reception by the first wireless interface device; determining
whether concurrent reception by the first and second wireless
interface devices would cause interference of the first or second
communication; determining whether a host protocol prohibits
concurrent communications by the first and second wireless
interface devices; and determining whether a priority protocol
applies to communications with the first or second peripheral
wireless device.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the resolving the conflict
further comprises: when concurrent transceiving by the first and
second wireless interface devices causes interference of the first
or second communication, determining, by at least one of the first
and second wireless interface devices, whether transmission power
can be reduced to substantially eliminate the interference; and
when the transmission power can be reduced to substantially
eliminate the interference, adjusting the transmission power to
substantially eliminate the interference.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the resolving the conflict
further comprises: when a priority protocol exists: determining
priority of the first peripheral wireless device to produce a first
priority; determining priority of the second peripheral wireless
device to produce a second priority; and prioritizing the first and
second communication based on the first and second priorities.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the priority protocol further
comprises at least one of: user interface peripheral wireless
devices have a higher priority than data transfer peripheral
wireless devices; real time communications have a higher priority
than non-real time communications; user defined priority list; and
default priority list.
23. A wireless communication device comprises: host module; first
wireless interface device operably coupled to the host module,
wherein the first wireless interface device transceives data
between the host module and a first peripheral wireless device;
second wireless interface device operably coupled to the host
module, wherein the second wireless interface device transceives
data between the host module and a second peripheral wireless
device, wherein the first and second wireless interfaces devices
function to: determine whether a first communication between the
first wireless interface device and the first peripheral wireless
device is in conflict with a second communication between the
second wireless interface device and the second peripheral wireless
device; and resolve the conflict when the first communication is in
conflict with the second communication.
24. The wireless communication device of claim 23, wherein the
first and second wireless interface devices further function to
determine the conflict by at least one of: determining whether
concurrent transmissions by the first and second wireless interface
devices would cause interference of the first communication or the
second communication; determining whether transmission by the first
wireless interface device would interfere with reception by the
second wireless interface device; determining whether transmission
by the second wireless interface device would interfere with
reception by the first wireless interface device; determining
whether concurrent reception by the first and second wireless
interface devices would cause interference of the first or second
communication; determining whether a host protocol prohibits
concurrent communications by the first and second wireless
interface devices; and determining whether a priority protocol
applies to communications with the first or second peripheral
wireless device.
25. The wireless communication device of claim 23, wherein the
first and second wireless interface devices further function to
resolve the conflict by: when concurrent transceiving by the first
and second wireless interface devices causes interference of the
first or second communication, determining, by at least one of the
first and second wireless interface devices, whether transmission
power can be reduced to substantially eliminate the interference;
and when the transmission power can be reduced to substantially
eliminate the interference, adjusting the transmission power to
substantially eliminate the interference.
26. The wireless communication device of claim 23, wherein the
first and second wireless interface devices further function to
resolve the conflict by: when a priority protocol exists:
determining priority of the first peripheral wireless device to
produce a first priority; determining priority of the second
peripheral wireless device to produce a second priority; and
prioritizing the first and second communication based on the first
and second priorities.
27. The wireless communication device of claim 23, wherein the
priority protocol further comprises at least one of: user interface
peripheral wireless devices have a higher priority than data
transfer peripheral wireless devices; real time communications have
a higher priority than non-real time communications; user defined
priority list; and default priority list.
Description
[0001] This invention is claiming priority under 35 USC .sctn.
119(e) to a provisionally filed patent application having the same
title as the present patent application, a filing date of Aug. 1,
2002, and an application No. 60/400,226.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to wireless communication
systems and more particularly to cooperative transceiving by
wireless interface devices of the same host device.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Communication systems are known to support wireless and wire
lined communications between wireless and/or wire lined
communication devices. Such communication systems range from
national and/or international cellular telephone systems to the
Internet to point-to-point in-home wireless networks. Each type of
communication system is constructed, and hence operates, in
accordance with one or more communication standards. For instance,
wireless communication systems may operate in accordance with one
or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11,
Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS,
global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division
multiple access (CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems
(LMDS), multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS),
and/or variations thereof.
[0006] Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a
wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone,
two-way radio, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer
(PC), laptop computer, home entertainment equipment, et cetera
communicates directly or indirectly with other wireless
communication devices. For direct communications (also known as
point-to-point communications), the participating wireless
communication devices tune their receivers and transmitters to the
same channel or channels (e.g., one of the plurality of radio
frequency (RF) carriers of the wireless communication system) and
communicate over that channel(s). For indirect wireless
communications, each wireless communication device communicates
directly with an associated base station (e.g., for cellular
services) and/or an associated access point (e.g., for an in-home
or in-building wireless network) via an assigned channel. To
complete a communication connection between the wireless
communication devices, the associated base stations and/or
associated access points communicate with each other directly, via
a system controller, via the public switch telephone network, via
the Internet, and/or via some other wide area network.
[0007] For each wireless communication device to participate in
wireless communications, it includes a built-in radio transceiver
(i.e., receiver and transmitter) or is coupled to an associated
radio transceiver (e.g., a station for in-home and/or in-building
wireless communication networks, RF modem, etc.). As is known, the
transmitter includes a data modulation stage, one or more
intermediate frequency stages, and a power amplifier. The data
modulation stage converts raw data into baseband signals in
accordance with a particular wireless communication standard. The
one or more intermediate frequency stages mix the baseband signals
with one or more local oscillations to produce RF signals. The
power amplifier amplifies the RF signals prior to transmission via
an antenna.
[0008] As is also known, the receiver is coupled to the antenna and
includes a low noise amplifier, one or more intermediate frequency
stages, a filtering stage, and a data recovery stage. The low noise
amplifier receives inbound RF signals via the antenna and amplifies
then. The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix the
amplified RF signals with one or more local oscillations to convert
the amplified RF signal into baseband signals or intermediate
frequency (IF) signals. The filtering stage filters the baseband
signals or the IF signals to attenuate unwanted out of band signals
to produce filtered signals. The data recovery stage recovers raw
data from the filtered signals in accordance with the particular
wireless communication standard.
[0009] As the use of wireless communication devices increases, many
wireless communication devices will include two or more radio
transceivers, where each radio transceiver is compliant with a
different wireless communication standard. For instance, a computer
may include two radio transceivers: one for peripheral device
interfacing and another for wireless local area network (WLAN)
interfacing. Even though the two radio transceivers are compliant
with different wireless communication standards, they may occupy
the same or similar frequency spectrum, thus will interfere with
each other's ability to receive inbound packets. For example, if
one radio transceiver is compliant with Bluetooth and the other is
compliant with IEEE 802.11, both radio transceivers would operate
in the 2.4 GHz frequency range.
[0010] In this example, if the Bluetooth radio transceiver is
receiving a packet and the IEEE 802.11 radio transceiver begins
transmitting a packet, the transmission will interfere with the
Bluetooth radio transceiver's ability to accurately receive the
packet. Similarly, if the IEEE 802.11 radio transceiver is
receiving a packet and the Bluetooth radio transceiver begins
transmitting a packet, the transmission by the Bluetooth radio will
interfere with the IEEE 802.11 radio transceiver's ability to
accurately receive the packet. In addition, concurrent transmission
by both the IEEE 802.11 radio transceiver and the Bluetooth radio
transceiver may cause interference, thus corrupting the one or both
transmissions.
[0011] Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus that
provides cooperation between two or more wireless interface devices
(i.e., radio transceivers) of a host devices to substantially
eliminate interfere causes by concurrent packet reception and/or
packet transmission.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A method and/or apparatus for cooperative transceiving
between wireless interface devices of a host device in accordance
with the present invention substantially meets these needs and
others. One embodiment of a method begins by providing an
indication of receiving an inbound packet from one wireless
interface device (e.g., Bluetooth compliant radio transceiver, IEEE
802.11 (including all current and future subsections) compliant
radio transceiver, etc.) to another. The wireless interface device
receiving the indication processes the indication and, based on the
processing, transmits an outbound packet in accordance with the
processing of the indication. For example, the wireless interface
device receiving the indication may delay transmission until the
other wireless interface device has received the packet, or, if
transmission of the packet would not interfere with the receiving
of the packet by the other wireless interface device, the wireless
interface device receiving the indication would transmit its
packet.
[0013] Another embodiment of a method for cooperative transceiving
between wireless interface devices of a host device begins as the
wireless interface devices exchange status messages regarding
transmission and reception of packets. The method continues with
each of the wireless interface devices of the host device
processing the received status messages. In response to the
processing, each of the wireless interface devices transmits an
outbound packet in accordance with the processing of the received
status messages.
[0014] An embodiment of a wireless communication device includes a
host module, a first wireless interface device, a second wireless
interface device, and an antenna section. The first wireless
interface device is operably coupled to the host module and
transceives data between the host module and a first external
device in accordance with a first wireless communication protocol
(e.g., Bluetooth). The second wireless interface device is also
operably coupled to the host module and transceives data between
the host module and a second external device in accordance with a
second wireless communication protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.11,
including all current and future subsections). The antenna section
is operably coupled to the first and second wireless interface
devices to provide at least one radio frequency communication path
between the first wireless interface device and the first external
device and between the second wireless interface device and the
second external device.
[0015] Yet another embodiment of a method for cooperative
transceiving between wireless interface devices of a host device
begins as a first wireless interface device determines whether a
second wireless interface device is transmitting an outbound
packet. The method continues as the first wireless interface device
determines whether transmitting a first outbound packet would
interfere with the transmitting of the second outbound packet when
the second wireless interface device is transmitting the second
outbound packet. The method further continues as the first wireless
interface devices delays transmitting of the first outbound packet
until the second outbound packet has been transmitted when the
transmitting of the first outbound packet would interfere with the
transmitting of the second outbound packet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless
communication system in accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless
communication device in accordance with the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless interface
device in accordance with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an
antenna section in accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of
an antenna section in accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a logic diagram of a method for cooperative
transceiving between wireless interface devices of a host device in
accordance with the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a logic diagram of another method for cooperative
transceiving between wireless interface devices of a host device in
accordance with the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a logic diagram of yet another method for
cooperative transceiving between wireless interface devices of a
host device in accordance with the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating cooperative transceiving
between wireless interface devices of a host device in accordance
with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a
communication system 10 that includes a plurality of base stations
and/or access points 12-16, a plurality of wireless communication
devices 18-32 and a network hardware component 34. The wireless
communication devices 18-32 may be laptop host computers 18 and 26,
personal digital assistant hosts 20 and 30, personal computer hosts
24 and 32 and/or cellular telephone hosts 22 and 28. The details of
the wireless communication devices will be described in greater
detail with reference to FIGS. 2-8.
[0026] The base stations or access points 12-16 are operably
coupled to the network hardware 34 via local area network
connections 36, 38 and 40. The network hardware 34, which may be a
router, switch, bridge, modem, system controller, et cetera
provides a wide area network connection 42 for the communication
system 10. Each of the base stations or access points 12-16 has an
associated antenna or antenna array to communicate with the
wireless communication devices in its area. Typically, the wireless
communication devices register with a particular base station or
access point 12-14 to receive services from the communication
system 10. For direct connections (i.e., point-to-point
communications), wireless communication devices communicate
directly via an allocated channel.
[0027] Typically, base stations are used for cellular telephone
systems and like-type systems, while access points are used for
in-home or in-building wireless networks. Regardless of the
particular type of communication system, each wireless
communication device includes a built-in radio and/or is coupled to
a radio. The radio includes a highly linear amplifier and/or
programmable multi-stage amplifier as disclosed herein to enhance
performance, reduce costs, reduce size, and/or enhance broadband
applications.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a wireless
communication device that includes the host device, or module,
18-32 and at least two wireless interface devices, or radio
transceivers, 57 and 59. The wireless interface devices may be
built in components of the host device 18-32 or externally coupled
components. As illustrated, the host device 18-32 includes a
processing module 50, memory 52, radio interfaces 54 and 55, input
interface 58 and output interface 56. The processing module 50 and
memory 52 execute the corresponding instructions that are typically
done by the host device. For example, for a cellular telephone host
device, the processing module 50 performs the corresponding
communication functions in accordance with a particular cellular
telephone standard.
[0029] The radio interfaces 54 and 55 each include a media-specific
access control protocol (MAC) layer module, a digital-to-analog
converter (DAC), an analog to digital converter (ADC), and a
physical layer module (PHY). The radio interfaces 54 and 55 allow
data to be received from and sent to external devices 63 and 65 via
the wireless interface devices 57 and 59. Each of the external
devices includes its own wireless interface device for
communicating with the wireless interface device of the host
device. For example, the host device may be personal or laptop
computer, the external device 63 may be a headset, personal digital
assistant, cellular telephone, printer, fax machine, joystick,
keyboard, or desktop telephone, and the second external device 65
may be an access point of a wireless local area network. In this
example, the external device 63 would include a Bluetooth wireless
interface device, external device 65 would include an IEEE 802.11
wireless interface device, and the computer would include both
types of wireless interface devices.
[0030] In operation, to avoid interference between the two or more
wireless interface devices 57 and 59 of the wireless communication
device, the MAC layer modules of each wireless interface device 57
and 59 communicate with each other to avoid concurrent transmission
and/or reception of wireless transmissions with the corresponding
external device if such concurrent transmission or reception would
cause interference. The methods in which the MAC layer modules
communicate are illustrated in FIGS. 6-8.
[0031] For data received from one of the wireless interface devices
57 or 59 (e.g., inbound data), the radio interface 54 or 55
provides the data to the processing module 50 for further
processing and/or routing to the output interface 56. The output
interface 56 provides connectivity to an output display device such
as a display, monitor, speakers, et cetera such that the received
data may be displayed. The radio interfaces 54 and 55 also provide
data from the processing module 50 to the wireless interface
devices 57 and 59. The processing module 50 may receive the
outbound data from an input device Such as a keyboard, keypad,
microphone, et cetera via the input interface 58 or generate the
data itself. For data received via the input interface 58, the
processing module 50 may perform a corresponding host function on
the data and/or route it to one of the wireless interface devices
57 or 59 via the corresponding radio interface 54 or 55.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the wireless
interface devices (i.e., a radio) 57 or 59, where each device
includes a host interface 62, digital receiver processing module
64, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 66, a
filtering/attenuation module 68, an IF mixing down conversion stage
70, a receiver filter 71, a low noise amplifier 72, a
transmitter/receiver switch 73, a local oscillation module 74,
memory 75, a digital transmitter processing module 76, a
digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 78, a filtering/gain module 80,
an IF mixing up conversion stage 82, a power amplifier 84, and a
transmitter filter module 85. The transmitter/receiver switch 73 is
coupled to the antenna section 61, which may include two antennas
86 and an antenna switch 87 (as shown in FIG. 4) that is shared by
the two wireless interface devices and is further shared by the
transmit and receive paths as regulated by the Tx/Rx switch 73.
Alternatively, the antenna section 61 may include separate antennas
for each wireless interface device (as shown in FIG. 5), where the
transmit path and receive path of each wireless interface device
shares the antenna. Still further, the antenna section 61 may
include a separate antenna for the transmit path and the receive
path of each wireless interface device. As one of average skill in
the art will appreciate, the antenna(s) may be polarized,
directional, and be physically separated to provide a minimal
amount of interference.
[0033] Returning to the discussion of FIG. 3, the digital receiver
processing module 64 the digital transmitter processing module 76,
and the memory 75 may be included in the MAC module and execute
digital receiver functions and digital transmitter functions in
accordance with a particular wireless communication standard. The
digital receiver functions include, but are not limited to, digital
intermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation,
constellation demapping, decoding, and/or descrambling. The digital
transmitter functions include, but are not limited to, scrambling,
encoding, constellation mapping, modulation, and/or digital
baseband to IF conversion. The digital receiver and transmitter
processing modules 64 and 76 may be implemented using a shared
processing device, individual processing devices, or a plurality of
processing devices. Such a processing device may be a
microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,
microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate
array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry,
analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that
manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational
instructions. The memory 75 may be a single memory device or a
plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a
read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory,
non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory,
and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that when
the processing module 64 and/or 76 implements one or more of its
functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,
and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing the corresponding
operational instructions is embedded with the circuitry comprising
the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or
logic circuitry.
[0034] In operation, the wireless interface device 57 or 59
receives outbound data 94 from the host device via the host
interface 62. The host interface 62 routes the outbound data 94 to
the digital transmitter processing module 76, which processes the
outbound data 94 in accordance with a particular wireless
communication standard (e.g., IEEE 802.11--including all current
and future subsections--, Bluetooth, et cetera) to produce digital
transmission formatted data 96. The digital transmission formatted
data 96 will be a digital base-band signal or a digital low IF
signal, where the low IF typically will be in the frequency range
of one hundred kilohertz to a few megahertz.
[0035] The digital-to-analog converter 78 converts the digital
transmission formatted data 96 from the digital domain to the
analog domain. The filtering/gain module 80 filters and/or adjusts
the gain of the analog signal prior to providing it to the IF
mixing stage 82. The IF mixing stage 82 directly converts the
analog baseband or low IF signal into an RF signal based on a
transmitter local oscillation 83 provided by local oscillation
module 74. The power amplifier 84 amplifies the RF signal to
produce outbound RF signal 98, which is filtered by the transmitter
filter module 85. The antenna section 61 transmits the outbound RF
signal 98 to a targeted device such as a base station, an access
point and/or another wireless communication device.
[0036] The wireless interface device 57 or 59 also receives an
inbound RF signal 88 via the antenna section 61, which was
transmitted by a base station, an access point, or another wireless
communication device. The antenna section 61 provides the inbound
RF signal 88 to the receiver filter module 71 via the Tx/Rx switch
73, where the Rx filter 71 bandpass filters the inbound RF signal
88. The Rx filter 71 provides the filtered RF signal to low noise
amplifier 72, which amplifies the signal 88 to produce an amplified
inbound RF signal. The low noise amplifier 72 provides the
amplified inbound RF signal to the IF mixing module 70, which
directly converts the amplified inbound RF signal into an inbound
low IF signal or baseband signal based on a receiver local
oscillation 81 provided by local oscillation module 74. The down
conversion module 70 provides the inbound low IF signal or baseband
signal to the filtering/gain module 68. The filtering/gain module
68 filters and/or gains the inbound low IF signal or the inbound
baseband signal to produce a filtered inbound signal.
[0037] The analog-to-digital converter 66 converts the filtered
inbound signal from the analog domain to the digital domain to
produce digital reception formatted data 90. The digital receiver
processing module 64 decodes, descrambles, demaps, and/or
demodulates the digital reception formatted data 90 to recapture
inbound data 92 in accordance with the particular wireless
communication standard being implemented by wireless interface
device. The host interface 62 provides the recaptured inbound data
92 to the host device 18-32 via the radio interface 54.
[0038] As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the
wireless communication device of FIG. 2 may be implemented using
one or more integrated circuits. For example, the host device may
be implemented on one integrated circuit, the digital receiver
processing module 64, the digital transmitter processing module 76
and memory 75 may be implemented on a second integrated circuit,
and the remaining components of the radio 60, less the antennas 86,
may be implemented on a third integrated circuit. As an alternate
example, the radio 60 may be implemented on a single integrated
circuit. As yet another example, the processing module 50 of the
host device and the digital receiver and transmitter processing
modules 64 and 76 may be a common processing device implemented on
a single integrated circuit. Further, the memory 52 and memory 75
may be implemented on a single integrated circuit and/or on the
same integrated circuit as the common processing modules of
processing module 50 and the digital receiver and transmitter
processing module 64 and 76.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a logic diagram of a method for cooperative
transceiving between wireless interface devices of a host device.
The method begins at step 100, where one of the wireless interface
devices provides an indication of receiving an inbound packet to
another one of the wireless interface devices. For example, one of
the wireless interface devices transceives data packets in
accordance with a Bluetooth standard while the other wireless
interface devices transceives data packets in accordance with an
IEEE 802.11 standard.
[0040] The method then proceeds to step 102, where the other
wireless interface device processes the indication. The method then
proceeds to step 104, where the other wireless interface device
transmits an outbound packet in accordance with the processing of
the indication. For example, the processing may be done to
determine when the first wireless interface device is receiving the
inbound packet. If so, the other wireless interface device delays
transmitting the outbound packet until the one of the wireless
interface devices has received the inbound packet. Note that to
minimize the time that one wireless interface device is receiving
packets, and hence reduce the wait time, the packet size of inbound
packets and outbound packets may be optimized in accordance with
the particular wireless communication standard.
[0041] As a further example of steps 102 and 104, the processing of
the indication may be to determine whether the transmitting of the
outbound packet would interfere with the receiving of the inbound
packet. If so, the other wireless interface device delays
transmitting the outbound packet until the one of the wireless
interface devices has received the inbound packet. If the
transmitting of the outbound packet would not interfere with the
receiving of the inbound packet, the other wireless interface
device transmits the outbound packet while the inbound packet is
being received. Note that to reduce interference, the wireless
interface device that is compliant with the Bluetooth standard may
adaptively adjust its frequency hopping sequence to reduce
interference with the other wireless interface device.
[0042] FIG. 7 is a logic diagram of another method for cooperative
transceiving between wireless interface devices of a host device.
The process begins at step 106, where the wireless interface
devices exchange status messages regarding transmission and
reception of packets. Note that a status message may be provided in
response to a request from the other wireless communication device
for a particular piece of information, for a full status report, or
any portion thereof. The method then precedes to step 108, where
each of the wireless interface devices process the received status
messages. The method then proceeds to step 110, where each of the
wireless interface devices transmits an outbound packet in
accordance with the processing of the received status messages.
[0043] In one example of the processing of the status message and
transmitting of the outbound packet, the wireless interface device
determines that the other wireless interface device is currently
receiving an inbound packet. In this situation, the wireless
interface devices delays transmitting of the outbound packet until
the other wireless interface device has received the inbound
packet.
[0044] In another example of the processing of the status message
and transmitting of the outbound packet, the wireless interface
device determines that the other wireless interface device is
expecting to receive an inbound packet. In this situation, the
wireless interface device delays transmitting of the outbound
packet until the other wireless interface device has received the
inbound packet unless the delay would cause an interrupt for low
latency real time transmissions.
[0045] In yet another example of the processing of the status
message and transmitting of the outbound packet, the wireless
interface device determines that the other wireless interface
device is transmitting an outbound message. In this situation, the
wireless interface device delays transmitting of the outbound
packet until the other wireless interface device has transmitted
the inbound packet unless interference would be minimal or if a
delay would cause an interrupt for low latency real time
transmissions.
[0046] In a further example of the processing of the status message
and transmitting of the outbound packet, the wireless interface
device determines that the other wireless interface device is
expecting to transmit another outbound message. In this situation,
the wireless interface device randomizing the delaying transmitting
the outbound packet in accordance with a random transmission
protocol. For example, each wireless interface device may be
assigned a unique wait period when they detect that two or more
wireless interface devices are desiring to transmit a packet at
about the same time.
[0047] FIG. 8 is a logic diagram of yet another method for
cooperative transceiving between wireless interface devices of a
host device. The method begins at step 112 where a first wireless
interface device determines whether a second wireless interface
device is transmitting an outbound packet. If, as established at
step 114, the second wireless interface device is not transmitting,
the method precedes to step 122, where the first wireless interface
device transmits its packet. If, however, the second wireless
interface device is transmitting, the method precedes to step 116,
where the first wireless interface device determines whether
transmitting its outbound packet would interfere with the
transmitting of the second outbound packet. This may be done by
comparing the transmit power level of the first wireless interface
device with the transmit power level of the second wireless
interface device. If they are similar and relatively low, the
interference may be minimal.
[0048] The method then precedes to step 118 where a determination
is made as to whether the interference is of a level that would
jeopardize the integrity of the second outbound packet. If not, the
method precedes to step 122, where the packet is transmitted. If,
however, there would be sufficient interference, the method
precedes to step 120 where the first wireless interface device
delays transmitting the first outbound packet until the second
outbound packet has been transmitted.
[0049] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating wireless interface devices
57 and 59 associated with a host device 18-32 coordinating
communications with two external wireless devices 63 and 65. The
wireless interface devices 57 and 59 and the external wireless
devices 63 and 65 may communication using any type of standardized
wireless communication including, but not limited to, IEEE 822.11
(a), (b), or (g), Bluetooth, GSM, CDMA, TDMA, LMPS, or MMPS. The
external devices 63 and 65 may use the same or different wireless
communication standard. When the external devices 63 and 65 use
standards that occupy the same or similar frequency spectrums, a
conflict between concurrent communications may occur. In other
words, when the both external devices are communicating with the
wireless interface devices 57 and 59 their respective
communications may interfere with the other's communication,
reducing the quality of service for one or both communications.
[0050] To resolve the conflict, the wireless interface devices 57
and 59 coordinate the communications with their respective external
devices 63 and 65. As shown in the accompanying table of FIG. 9,
when a conflict arises, the wireless interface devices 57 and 59
have a multitude of resolutions. For example, when both wireless
interface devices 57 and 59 desire to concurrently transmit packets
to their respective external devices 63 and 65 (i.e., concurrently
includes any overlap of transmission), the wireless interface
devices 57 and 59 determine whether a concurrent transmission would
cause sufficient interference that would degrade one or both of the
transmissions. If not, the resolution is to do nothing and
concurrently transmit.
[0051] If, however, sufficient interference would exist, the
wireless interface devices may delay one of the transmissions with
respect to the other to avoid concurrent transmissions, reduce the
transmit power for one or both of the concurrent transmissions,
and/or adjust the frequency hopping of a Bluetooth compliant
wireless interface device 57 or 59. The wireless interface devices
57 and 59 may delay the transmissions based on a priority protocol,
a host protocol, a default mechanism, an ad hoc mechanism, or a
user defined ordering. In essence, the delaying of the concurrent
transmissions removes the concurrency such that only one
transmission is occurring at any given time. The delaying may be
established by an equal or imbalanced staggering of the
transmissions or by allowing one of the communications to complete
before the other is serviced. For example, the host protocol may
prohibit concurrent communications. As such, the communication with
one of external devices that was initiated first will be completed
before communication with the other external devices is
serviced.
[0052] As a further example of the delaying of concurrent
transmissions, the priority protocol may dictate that user
interface wireless devices (e.g., wireless keyboard, mouse, etc.)
may have priority over data transfer peripheral wireless devices
(e.g., PDA, down loading data to a cell phone, a printer, etc.).
The priority protocol may also prioritize real time communications
(e.g., voice, audio, and/or video data) over data transfer
communications. In addition, the priority protocol may indicate
whether the concurrent transmissions are to be staggered or
sequential.
[0053] The user defiled priority list may be based on the type of
external devices. For example, the user may priority communications
with his or her PDA over any other type of communications, followed
by communications with the cell phone, etc. In this manner, the
conflict resolution may be customized to the user's
preferences.
[0054] When the conflict corresponds to one wireless interface
device potentially transmitting data while the other wireless
interface device is potentially receiving data, the wireless
interface devices determine whether concurrent transmission and
reception would cause significant interference. If not, the current
transmission and reception is performed. If, however, significant
interference would be produced, the wireless interface device may
resolve the conflict by delaying the transmission to avoid the
concurrency, delaying the reception to avoid the concurrency,
reducing the transmit power, adjusting the frequency hopping of a
Bluetooth device, process the conflict based on the host protocol
and/or based on the priority protocol.
[0055] When the conflict corresponds to concurrent receptions, the
wireless interface devices determine whether such concurrency would
cause significant interference. If not, the concurrent receptions
are processed. If, however, significant interference would exist,
one of the receptions may be delayed to avoid the concurrency, one
of the external devices may be instructed to reduce its
transmitting power.
[0056] The preceding discussion has presented a method and
apparatus for cooperative transceiving between wireless interface
devices of a host device. By enabling the wireless interface
devices to communicate directly with each other, interference
between them may be reduced and/or avoided. As one of average skill
in the art will appreciate, other embodiments may be derived from
the teachings of the present invention without deviating from the
scope of the claims.
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