Methods and apparatus for wireless coexistence based on transceiver chain emphasis

• US 8,599,709 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2011
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Camille, Li, Lei, Zimmermann, Chris, Giles, Michael J., Tolentino, Jaime, Hartman, Chris, Lin, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Tri H
• Application Number:
  US13/025,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20120207032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 370229-238, 370/241.1, 370249-252, 370254-255, 370310-350, 375144-145, 375148-149, 375/254, 375/278, 375284-285, 375/296, 375346-350, 375/354, 455 631- 6716, 455/278.1, 455423-425, 455500-506, 455/522, 455/570
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0413 MIMO systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/20 using signal quality detector
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/24 Testing correct operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/06 Testing, supervising or monitoring using simulated traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/04 Error control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• 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 52/243 taking into account interferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• 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: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for reduction of interference between a plurality of wireless interfaces. In one exemplary embodiment, a device having a first (e.g., Wi-Fi) interface and a second (e.g., Bluetooth) interface monitors interference between its interfaces. A reduction in transmit power of the Wi-Fi module causes a disproportionately larger reduction in undesirable interference experienced at the Bluetooth antennas. For example, when the Bluetooth interface detects interference levels above acceptable thresholds, the Wi-Fi interface adjusts operation of one or more of its transmit chains based on various conditions such as duty cycle, Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), etc. Various embodiments of the present invention provide simultaneous operation of WLAN and PAN interfaces, without requiring time division coexistence, by reducing power on a subset of interfering antennas.

Claims

1. A method for calibrating a device having at least first and second wireless interfaces, the method comprising:

transmitting one or more test patterns on the first wireless interface;

measuring interference corresponding to the one or more test patterns on the second wireless interface;

calibrating one or more parameters of the first wireless interface to minimize interference with the second wireless interface; and

storing the one or more calibrated parameters;

wherein the device is configured to, during at least one subsequent use, configure the first wireless interface based on the stored one or more calibrated parameters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second interfaces is a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interface.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second interfaces comprises a Personal Area Network (PAN) interface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more calibrated parameters of the first wireless interface comprises transmission gain for a plurality of transmit antennas.

5. A wireless apparatus, comprising:

a first wireless interface;

a second wireless interface;

a processor; and

a storage device in data communication with the processor, the storage device comprising computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured to, when executed by the processor;

transmit one or more test patterns on the first wireless interface;

measure interference corresponding to the one or more test patterns on the second wireless interface;

calibrate one or more parameters of the first wireless interface to minimize interference with the second wireless interface;

store the one or more calibrated parameters; and

during at least one subsequent use, configure the first wireless interface based on the stored one or more calibrated parameters.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first and second interfaces comprises a Wi-Fi interface.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first and second interfaces comprises a Bluetooth interface.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first wireless interface comprises a plurality of transmit chains.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of transmit chains comprise part of a MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) transmitter.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more calibrated parameters comprises transmission gain for at least one of the plurality of transmit chains.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second wireless interfaces are further configured to execute legacy time division coexistence operation as a supplemental mode.

12. A method for reducing interference between first and second wireless interfaces, wherein the first interface comprises a plurality of antennas, the method comprising:

monitoring a condition indicative of an interference at the second wireless interface, the interference caused at least in part by the first wireless interface;

determining one or more parameters for the plurality of antennas, the parameters configured to reduce the interference; and

configuring the first interface according to the determined one or more parameters.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first interface comprises a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interface.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second interface comprises a Personal Area Network (PAN) interface.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the condition comprises the interference exceeding a power threshold.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more determined parameters comprise a transmit power.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more determined parameters comprise static parameters programmed at device manufacture.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more determined parameters are dynamically determined based at least in part on measuring interference between the first and second wireless interfaces.

19. A wireless apparatus, comprising:

a first wireless interface;

a second wireless interface;

a processor; and

a storage device in data communication with the processor, the storage device comprising computer-executable instructions;

wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured to, when executed by the processor;

monitor a condition indicative of an interference at the second wireless interface, the interference caused at least in part by the first wireless interface;

determine one or more parameters for the first wireless interface, the parameters configured to reduce the interference; and

configure the first wireless interface according to the determined one or more parameters.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first interface comprises a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interface, and the second interface comprises a Personal Area Network (PAN) interface.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the one or more determined parameters comprise a transmit power.