SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COEXISTENCE OF WLAN AND BLUETOOTH NETWORKS

• US 20080130603A1
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Conexant Systems Incorporated (Synaptics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Berger, Doug, Carter, Trent, Wentink, Menzo
• Granted Patent: US 8,654,773 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0206 in access points, e.g. base stations access point devices per se H04W88/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/085 collision avoidance
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for coexistence of WLAN and Bluetooth networks are described. At least one embodiment includes a method for operating a wireless device in both a 802.11 network and a Bluetooth network. In accordance with some embodiments, the method comprises monitoring transmission of Synchronous Connection Oriented (SCO) slots over the Bluetooth network, informing an access point (AP) in the 802.11 network not to transmit to the device before the end of an SCO slot, transmitting a power save trigger to the AP to retrieve buffered data from the AP, and transmitting data to the AP.

Claims

1. A method for operating a wireless device in both a 802.11 network and a Bluetooth network, the method comprising:

monitoring transmission of Synchronous Connection Oriented (SCO) slots over the Bluetooth network;

informing an access point (AP) in the 802.11 network not to transmit to the device before the end of an SCO slot;

transmitting a power save trigger to the AP to retrieve buffered data from the AP; and

transmitting data to the AP.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the AP sends the buffered data to the device after the end of a first SCO slot.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the data frame is a voice frame.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein informing the AP occurs before a second SCO slot that precedes the first SCO slot.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sending of the power save trigger occurs before the second SCO slot.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein informing the AP comprises setting a Network Allocation Vector (NAV) at the AP.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the setting the NAV comprises sending a CTS frame.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein informing an access point comprises sending timing information to the AP other than through a NAV.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the timing information is conveyed as part of a Media Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (MPDU) header of a data frame containing the timing information.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting a power save trigger comprises sending a Power Save-Poll (PS-Poll) frame.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting a power save trigger comprises sending a data frame with the power mode (PM) bit not set.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising sending a frame with the PM bit set after a third SCO slot, wherein the third SCO slot occurs after the first SCO slot.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting a power save trigger comprises sending an Unscheduled Asynchronous Power Save Delivery (U-APSD) trigger frame.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprises voice data.

15. A wireless communication device capable of operating in both a 802.11-based network and a Bluetooth network, the device comprising:

a timer module configured to monitor and determine the timing of Synchronous Connection Oriented (SCO) slots; and

a communications module configured to;

notify an access point (AP) not to transmit data based on the timing of the SCO slots; and

transmit power save trigger frames to retrieve data from the AP.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the communications module notifies an access point (AP) not to transmit data by setting a Network Allocation Vector (NAV) such that the NAV expires at the end of an SCO slot such that a response from the AP is delayed until after the SCO slot

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the power save trigger frame is one of a Power Save-Poll (PS-Poll) frame, a frame with the Power Management (PM) bit not set, and an Unscheduled Asynchronous Power Save Delivery (U-APSD) trigger frame.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the communications module comprises logic configured to send a clear-to-send (CTS) frame over the 802.11-based network, the CTS frame including a duration field specifying duration of the NAV.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is configured to support High Quality Voice 3 (HV3) packets.

20. A method for operating a wireless device in both a 802.11 network and a Bluetooth network, the method comprising:

determining the beginning of a first SCO slot;

setting a Network Allocation Vector (NAV) which ends before the end of the first SCO slot at an access point (AP) in the 802.11 network so that the AP stops transmitting data to the device;

transmitting a power save trigger to the AP to retrieve buffered data from the AP;

transmitting data to the AP; and

receiving data from the AP at the end of the first SCO slot.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein setting the NAV comprises sending a clear-to-send (CTS) frame.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein transmitting a power save trigger comprises transmitting one of:

a Power Save-Poll (PS-Poll) frame,

a frame with the Power Management (PM) bit not set, and

an Unscheduled Asynchronous Power Save Delivery (U-APSD) trigger frame.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein for the U-APSD trigger frame, the AP sets an End Of Service Period (EOSP) bit to indicate that the client may enter into a power save mode, wherein the ESOP bit is set on a final buffered downlink frame.