METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING NFC LLCP PARTITIONING

• US 20130165042A1
• Filed: 11/08/2012
• Published: 06/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Hillan, John, Chingalande, Dubai, Gillespie, Alan, O'Donoghue, Jeremy R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,370,040 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/38 triggered by timers

Abstract

Aspects disclosed herein relate to partitioning LLCP responsibilities between the NFCC and DH. In an example, with a NFC device a DH maybe configured to establish a LLCP link with a remote NFC endpoint through a NFCC, and partition LLCP related responsibilities between the DH and the NFCC when the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications. Further, the NFCC may be operable to receive a PDU from a remote NFC endpoint, determine whether the received PDU is a SYMM PDU or a link deactivation PDU, and communicate the received PDU to a DH upon a determination that the received PDU is not a SYMM PDU or a link deactivation PDU.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

receiving, by a near field communication (NFC) controller (NFCC) operable to perform logical link control protocol (LLCP) split communications, a protocol data unit (PDU) from a remote NFC endpoint;

determining whether the received PDU is a SYMM PDU or a link deactivation PDU, the SYMM PDU and the link deactivation PDU associated with a LLCP link; and

communicating the received PDU to a device host (DH) upon a determination that the received PDU is not a SYMM PDU or a link deactivation PDU.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether a second PDU is available for transmission to the remote NFC endpoint; and

transmitting the second PDU to the remote NFC endpoint prior to expiration of a symmetry timer upon a determination that the second PDU is available for transmission.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a second PDU from the DH prior to expiration of a symmetry timer; and

transmitting the second PDU to the remote NFC endpoint.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that a second PDU is not available for transmission to the remote NFC endpoint prior to expiration of a symmetry timer;

generating a second SYMM PDU; and

transmitting the second SYMM PDU to the remote NFC endpoint upon the expiration of the symmetry timer.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from the DH, a symmetry timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits to receive a PDU from the DH prior to transmitting a SYMM PDU, and a link timeout timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits for a PDU from the remote NFC endpoint prior to communicating a link failure message to the DH, wherein the symmetry timer and link timeout timer are received as at least one of;

parameters in a core set configuration message;

or

commands specific to configuration of the LLCP split communications.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein values associated with the symmetry timer and the link timeout timer are set to zero;

and further comprising;

communicating any received PDUs to the DH; and

communicating only PDU received from the DH to the remote NFC endpoint.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining further comprises determining that the received PDU is the link deactivation PDU;

and

performing a link deactivation procedure for the LLCP link.

8. A method of communication, comprising:

establishing a LLCP link with a remote NFC endpoint through a NFCC; and

partitioning LLCP related responsibilities between a DH and the NFCC when the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications, wherein during the LLCP split communications the NFCC is responsible for LLCP symmetry functionality and the DH is responsible for non-LLCP symmetry functionality.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

determining whether a NFCC version is compatible with a DH version and whether the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications, wherein the LLCP split communications allow the DH to receive one or more data PDUs from the remote NFC endpoint while leaving management of one or more SYMM PDUs to the NFCC; and

transmitting LLCP split parameters to the NFCC to assist with the LLCP symmetry functionality upon a determination that the NFCC version is compatible with the DH version and the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications;

or

managing the LLCP link as a NFC-DEP radio frequency interface (NFC-DEP RF Interface) interface upon a determination that either the NFCC version is not compatible with the DH version or the NFCC is not operable for LLCP split communications.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the LLCP split parameters comprise a symmetry timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits to receive a PDU from the DH prior to transmitting a SYMM PDU, and a link timeout timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits for a PDU from the remote NFC endpoint prior to communicating a link failure message to the DH, and wherein the transmitting the LLCP split parameters comprises at least one of:

transmitting the LLCP split parameters in a core set configuration message;

or

transmitting one or more commands specific to configuration of the LLCP split communications.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining to suspend the LLCP symmetry functionality, and wherein values associated with the symmetry timer and the link timeout timer are set to zero.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining whether a transmission buffer is occupied by a first PDU awaiting transmission to the remote NFC endpoint; and

communicating a second PDU to the transmission buffer upon a determination that the transmission buffer is not occupied;

or

delaying attempting to communicate the second PDU until the expiration of a link time out timer.

13. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising code for;

receiving, by a near field communication (NFC) controller (NFCC) operable to perform logical link control protocol (LLCP) split communications, a protocol data unit (PDU) from a remote NFC endpoint;

determining whether the received PDU is a SYMM PDU or a link deactivation PDU, the SYMM PDU and the link deactivation PDU associated with a LLCP link; and

communicating the received PDU to a device host (DH) upon a determination that the received PDU is not a SYMM PDU or a link deactivation PDU.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising:

determining whether a second PDU is available for transmission to the remote NFC endpoint; and

transmitting the second PDU to the remote NFC endpoint prior to expiration of a symmetry timer upon a determination that the second PDU is available for transmission.

15. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving a second PDU from the DH prior to expiration of a symmetry timer; and

transmitting the second PDU to the remote NFC endpoint.

16. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising:

determining that a second PDU is not available for transmission to the remote NFC endpoint prior to expiration of a symmetry timer;

generating a second SYMM PDU; and

transmitting the second SYMM PDU to the remote NFC endpoint upon the expiration of the symmetry timer.

17. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving, from the DH, a symmetry timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits to receive a PDU from the DH prior to transmitting a SYMM PDU, and a link timeout timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits for a PDU from the remote NFC endpoint prior to communicating a link failure message to the DH, wherein the symmetry timer and link timeout timer are received as at least one of;

parameters in a core set configuration message;

or

commands specific to configuration of the LLCP split communications.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein values associated with the symmetry timer and the link timeout timer are set to zero;

and further comprising;

communicating any received PDUs to the DH; and

communicating only PDU received from the DH to the remote NFC endpoint.

19. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the determining further comprises determining that the received PDU is the link deactivation PDU;

and

performing a link deactivation procedure for the LLCP link.

20. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising code for;

establishing a LLCP link with a remote NFC endpoint through a NFCC; and

partitioning LLCP related responsibilities between a DH and the NFCC when the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications, wherein during the LLCP split communications the NFCC is responsible for LLCP symmetry functionality and the DH is responsible for non-LLCP symmetry functionality.

21. The computer program product of claim 20, further comprising:

determining whether a NFCC version is compatible with a DH version and whether the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications, wherein the LLCP split communications allow the DH to receive one or more data PDUs from the remote NFC endpoint while leaving management of one or more SYMM PDUs to the NFCC; and

transmitting LLCP split parameters to the NFCC to assist with the LLCP symmetry functionality upon a determination that the NFCC version is compatible with the DH version and the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications;

or

managing the LLCP link as a NFC-DEP radio frequency interface (NFC-DEP RF Interface) interface upon a determination that either the NFCC version is not compatible with the DH version or the NFCC is not operable for LLCP split communications.

22. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the LLCP split parameters comprise a symmetry timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits to receive a PDU from the DH prior to transmitting a SYMM PDU, and a link timeout timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits for a PDU from the remote NFC endpoint prior to communicating a link failure message to the DH, and wherein the transmitting the LLCP split parameters comprises at least one of:

transmitting the LLCP split parameters in a core set configuration message;

or

transmitting one or more commands specific to configuration of the LLCP split communications.

23. The computer program product of claim 21, further comprising determining to suspend the LLCP symmetry functionality, and wherein values associated with the symmetry timer and the link timeout timer are set to zero.

24. The computer program product of claim 21, further comprising:

determining whether a transmission buffer is occupied by a first PDU awaiting transmission to the remote NFC endpoint; and

communicating a second PDU to the transmission buffer upon a determination that the transmission buffer is not occupied;

or

delaying attempting to communicate the second PDU until the expiration of a link time out timer.

25. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for receiving, by a near field communication (NFC) controller (NFCC) operable to perform logical link control protocol (LLCP) split communications, a protocol data unit (PDU) from a remote NFC endpoint;

means for determining whether the received PDU is a SYMM PDU or a link deactivation PDU, the SYMM PDU and the link deactivation PDU associated with a LLCP link; and

means for communicating the received PDU to a device host (DH) upon a determination that the received PDU is not a SYMM PDU or a link deactivation PDU.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for determining is further configured to determine whether a second PDU is available for transmission to the remote NFC endpoint;

and further comprising;

means for transmitting the second PDU to the remote NFC endpoint prior to expiration of a symmetry timer upon a determination that the second PDU is available for transmission.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for receiving is further configured to receive a second PDU from the DH prior to expiration of a symmetry timer;

and further comprising;

means for transmitting the second PDU to the remote NFC endpoint.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for determining are further configured to:

determine that a second PDU is not available for transmission to the remote NFC endpoint prior to expiration of a symmetry timer; and

generate a second SYMM PDU; and

further comprising;

means for transmitting the second SYMM PDU to the remote NFC endpoint upon the expiration of the symmetry timer.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for receiving is further configured to receive, from the DH, a symmetry timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits to receive a PDU from the DH prior to transmitting a SYMM PDU, and a link timeout timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits for a PDU from the remote NFC endpoint prior to communicating a link failure message to the DH, wherein the symmetry timer and link timeout timer are received as at least one of:

parameters in a core set configuration message;

or

commands specific to configuration of the LLCP split communications.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein values associated with the symmetry timer and the link timeout timer are set to zero;

and wherein the means for communicating are further configured to;

communicate any received PDUs to the DH; and

communicate only PDU received from the DH to the remote NFC endpoint.

31. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for determining are further configured to determine that the received PDU is the link deactivation PDU;

and further comprising;

performing a link deactivation procedure for the LLCP link.

32. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for establishing a LLCP link with a remote NFC endpoint through a NFCC; and

means for partitioning LLCP related responsibilities between a DH and the NFCC when the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications, wherein during the LLCP split communications the NFCC is responsible for LLCP symmetry functionality and the DH is responsible for non-LLCP symmetry functionality.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the means for partitioning are further configured to:

determine whether a NFCC version is compatible with a DH version and whether the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications, wherein the LLCP split communications allow the DH to receive one or more data PDUs from the remote NFC endpoint while leaving management of one or more SYMM PDUs to the NFCC; and

transmit LLCP split parameters to the NFCC to assist with the LLCP symmetry functionality upon a determination that the NFCC version is compatible with the DH version and the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications;

or

manage the LLCP link as a NFC-DEP radio frequency interface (NFC-DEP RF Interface) interface upon a determination that either the NFCC version is not compatible with the DH version or the NFCC is not operable for LLCP split communications.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the LLCP split parameters comprise a symmetry timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits to receive a PDU from the DH prior to transmitting a SYMM PDU, and a link timeout timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits for a PDU from the remote NFC endpoint prior to communicating a link failure message to the DH, and wherein the means for partitioning are further configured for at least one of:

transmitting the LLCP split parameters in a core set configuration message;

or

transmitting one or more commands specific to configuration of the LLCP split communications.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for partitioning are further configured to determine to suspend the LLCP symmetry functionality, and wherein values associated with the symmetry timer and the link timeout timer are set to zero.

36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for partitioning are further configured to:

determine whether a transmission buffer is occupied by a first PDU awaiting transmission to the remote NFC endpoint; and

communicate a second PDU to the transmission buffer upon a determination that the transmission buffer is not occupied;

or

delay attempting to communicate the second PDU until the expiration of a link time out timer.

37. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

a near field communication (NFC) controller (NFCC) operable to perform logical link control protocol (LLCP) split communications and operable to;

receive, by NFCC operable to perform logical link control protocol (LLCP) split communications, a protocol data unit (PDU) from a remote NFC endpoint;

determine whether the received PDU is a SYMM PDU or a link deactivation PDU, the SYMM PDU and the link deactivation PDU associated with a LLCP link; and

communicate the received PDU to a device host (DH) upon a determination that the received PDU is not a SYMM PDU or a link deactivation PDU.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, and wherein the NFCC is further configured to:

determine whether a second PDU is available for transmission to the remote NFC endpoint; and

transmit the second PDU to the remote NFC endpoint prior to expiration of a symmetry timer upon a determination that the second PDU is available for transmission.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, and wherein the NFCC is further configured to:

receive a second PDU from the DH prior to expiration of a symmetry timer; and

transmit the second PDU to the remote NFC endpoint.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the NFCC is further configured to:

determine that a second PDU is not available for transmission to the remote NFC endpoint prior to expiration of a symmetry timer;

generate a second SYMM PDU; and

transmit the second SYMM PDU to the remote NFC endpoint upon the expiration of the symmetry timer.

41. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the NFCC is further configured to:

receiving, from the DH, a symmetry timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits to receive a PDU from the DH prior to transmitting a SYMM PDU, and a link timeout timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits for a PDU from the remote NFC endpoint prior to communicating a link failure message to the DH, wherein the symmetry timer and link timeout timer are received as at least one of;

parameters in a core set configuration message;

or

commands specific to configuration of the LLCP split communications.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein values associated with the symmetry timer and the link timeout timer are set to zero;

and wherein the NFCC is further configured to;

communicate any received PDUs to the DH; and

communicate only PDU received from the DH to the remote NFC endpoint.

43. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the determining further comprises determining that the received PDU is the link deactivation PDU;

and

performing a link deactivation procedure for the LLCP link.

44. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

a DH operable to;

establish a LLCP link with a remote NFC endpoint through a NFCC; and

partition LLCP related responsibilities between a DH and the NFCC when the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications, wherein during the LLCP split communications the NFCC is responsible for LLCP symmetry functionality and the DH is responsible for non-LLCP symmetry functionality.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the DH is further configured to:

determine whether a NFCC version is compatible with a DH version and whether the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications, wherein the LLCP split communications allow the DH to receive one or more data PDUs from the remote NFC endpoint while leaving management of one or more SYMM PDUs to the NFCC; and

transmit LLCP split parameters to the NFCC to assist with the LLCP symmetry functionality upon a determination that the NFCC version is compatible with the DH version and the NFCC is operable for LLCP split communications;

or

manage the LLCP link as a NFC-DEP radio frequency interface (NFC-DEP RF Interface) interface upon a determination that either the NFCC version is not compatible with the DH version or the NFCC is not operable for LLCP split communications.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the LLCP split parameters comprise a symmetry timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits to receive a PDU from the DH prior to transmitting a SYMM PDU, and a link timeout timer that defines a time duration that the NFCC waits for a PDU from the remote NFC endpoint prior to communicating a link failure message to the DH, and wherein the DH is further configured for at least one of:

transmitting the LLCP split parameters in a core set configuration message;

or

transmitting one or more commands specific to configuration of the LLCP split communications.

47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the DH is further configured to determine to suspend the LLCP symmetry functionality, and wherein values associated with the symmetry timer and the link timeout timer are set to zero.

48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the DH is further configured to:

determine whether a transmission buffer is occupied by a first PDU awaiting transmission to the remote NFC endpoint; and

communicate a second PDU to the transmission buffer upon a determination that the transmission buffer is not occupied;

or

delay attempting to communicate the second PDU until the expiration of a link time out timer.