Multi-protocol interchip interface
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An antenna switching system comprising:
- a first transceiver of a plurality of transceivers;
a first processor configured to process an application stored in memory;
a second transceiver of the plurality of transceivers electrically connected between the first processor and the first transceiver, the second transceiver configured to relay messages from the first processor to the first transceiver;
a switch configured to connect a plurality of transceivers to at least one antenna; and
a second processor configured to control the connection of the switch to one or more of the first and second transceivers.
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Abstract
An interface between radios supporting different air interfaces is disclosed that avoids some of the costs and disadvantages associated with inter-radio interfaces in the prior art. The present invention enables the needed coordination across multiple wireless protocols, such as 802.11 and Bluetooth, by providing a communication link spanning different integrated circuits when each radio is on a separate integrated circuit. This low cost, low complexity link can be added to standard integrated circuits produced by individual companies without adding appreciably to the overall cost of the integrated circuits.
26 Citations
45 Claims
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1. An antenna switching system comprising:
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a first transceiver of a plurality of transceivers; a first processor configured to process an application stored in memory; a second transceiver of the plurality of transceivers electrically connected between the first processor and the first transceiver, the second transceiver configured to relay messages from the first processor to the first transceiver; a switch configured to connect a plurality of transceivers to at least one antenna; and a second processor configured to control the connection of the switch to one or more of the first and second transceivers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of switching of at least one antenna:
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providing at least a first transceiver and a second transceiver of a plurality of transceivers; providing a signal from a first processor to a first transceiver of the plurality of transceivers electrically connected between the first processor and the second transceiver; determining whether the signal is to be transmitted by the first transceiver or the second transceiver; relaying the signal from the first transceiver to the second transceiver if the determination is made that the data is to be transmitted by the second transceiver; and switching an antenna switch to electrically connect one of the first and second transceivers to at least one antenna of a plurality of antennas, the connected transceiver corresponding to the determination of whether the signal is be transmitted by the first transceiver or the second transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A radio comprising:
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a transmitter and a receiver for communicating according to a first wireless protocol; a channel-access controller configured to generate antenna switch control signals to selectively connect an antenna to the transmitter and receiver; and a host interface for receiving a data block, configured to; determine whether to transmit the data block with the transmitter or to forward the data block to a collateral radio; in response to determining to transmit the data block with the transmitter, providing the data block to the channel-access controller; and in response to determining to forward the data block, forwarding the data block to the collateral radio. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A radio comprising:
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a channel-access controller configured to transmit a data block, and generate an antenna switch control signal responsive to having the data block provided; and a host interface configured to; receive the data block from a host interface bus; determine whether to transmit the data block with a transmitter or to forward the data block to a collateral radio; in response to determining to transmit the data block with the transmitter, provide the data block to the channel-access controller; and in response to determining to forward the data block, forward the data block to the collateral radio. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method comprising:
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receiving a packet with a first transceiver; a host interface within the first transceiver determining whether to transmit the packet with the first transceiver operating on a first wireless protocol or to forward the packet to a collateral transceiver operating on a second wireless protocol; in response to determining to transmit the packet with the first transceiver, a channel access controller within the first transceiver generating a switching control signal for switching an antenna switch; and in response to determining to forward the packet, the host interface forwarding the packet to the collateral transceiver. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A radio comprising:
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means for generating an antenna switch control signal responsive to having the data block provided; means for receiving the data block from a host interface bus; means for determining whether to transmit the data block or to forward the data block, means for transmitting the data block, in response to determining to transmit the data block; and means for forwarding the data block, in response to determining to forward the data block. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification