CENTRALIZED COEXISTENCE MANAGER FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF MULTIPLE RADIOS

• US 20100330977A1
• Filed: 11/25/2009
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Chrisikos, George, Kadous, Tamer A., Linsky, Joel B., Mantravadi, Ashok, Veeravalli, Venugopal V., Bergan, Charles A., Wietfeldt, Richard D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,185,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/419
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1215 for collaboration of different radio technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Systems and methodologies are described herein that facilitate a centralized structure for managing multi-radio coexistence for a mobile device and/or other suitable device(s). As described herein, a control plane coexistence manager (CxM) entity and/or a data plane CxM entity can be implemented to directly interact with a set of associated transceivers (e.g., radios, etc.) in order to manage conflicts between events corresponding to the transceivers. Further, CxM operation can be divided between the control and data planes such that the control plane handles configuration and long-term operations such as radio registration, sleep mode management, long-term event resolution, interaction with upper layers, etc., while the data plane handles short-term operations with respect to radio event management based on incoming notifications or event requests. For instance, the data plane can evaluate a set of requested events, select event(s) to be executed, and provide responses to the associated transceivers relating to the selection(s).

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

identifying one or more transceivers and a coexistence manager (CxM) entity associated with the one or more transceivers;

determining respective properties of the one or more transceivers;

generating one or more configuration parameters to be utilized by the CxM entity; and

providing the one or more configuration parameters to the CxM entity in connection with management of events associated with the one or more transceivers at the CxM entity based on notifications provided by the one or more transceivers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the determining comprises identifying a transceiver entering an enabled state from a disabled state; and

the method further comprises registering the transceiver entering an enabled state.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating comprises:

identifying a set of potential pairwise collisions between respective transceivers; and

providing the set of potential pairwise collisions to the CxM entity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the determining comprises determining operating states of the one or more transceivers; and

the method further comprises configuring an associated sleep mode based at least in part on the operating states of the one or more transceivers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating comprises generating an interference table relating to interference at respective victim transceivers caused by one or more transmit power levels at respective aggressor transceivers

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating comprises generating parameters relating to priorities of events executable by the one or more transceivers.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating comprises selecting one or more protocols to be utilized for communication between the CxM entity and the one or more transceivers.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating comprises:

receiving event conflict information corresponding to the one or more transceivers from the CxM entity; and

generating one or more configuration parameters to be utilized by the CxM entity based at least in part on the event conflict information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the generating further comprises:

identifying a conflict between a set of events associated with the one or more transceivers based on the event conflict information; and

instructing modification of at least one of a frequency channel or a radio technology utilized for at least one event associated with the conflict.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the instructing modification comprises instructing modification of a radio technology utilized for at least one event associated with the conflict in cooperation with one or more upper layer entities.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating comprises:

receiving configuration information from one or more upper layer entities; and

generating one or more configuration parameters to be utilized by the CxM entity based at least in part on the configuration information.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the CxM entity is a data plane CxM entity.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the determining, generating, or providing are performed by a control plane CxM entity.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more transceivers comprises at least one radio.

15. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that stores data relating to one or more radios and a coexistence manager (CxM) entity associated with the one or more radios; and

a processor configured to determine respective properties of the one or more radios, to generate one or more configuration parameters based at least in part on the respective properties of the one or more radios, and to provide the configuration parameters to the CxM entity for management of events associated with the one or more radios based on notifications provided by the one or more radios.

16. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to identify a radio entering an enabled state from a disabled state and to register the radio entering an enabled state.

17. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to identify a set of potential pairwise collisions between respective radios and to provide the set of potential pairwise collisions to the CxM entity.

18. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to determine operating states of the one or more radios and to configure a sleep mode of at least one of the wireless communications apparatus or the CxM entity based at least in part on the operating states of the one or more radios.

19. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to generate parameters relating to priorities of events executable by the one or more radios.

20. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to receive event conflict information corresponding to the one or more radios from the CxM entity and to generate one or more configuration parameters to be utilized by the CxM entity based at least in part on the event conflict information.

21. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to identify a conflict between a set of events associated with the one or more radios that occurs at above a threshold frequency based on the event conflict information and to instruct modification of at least one of a frequency channel or a radio technology utilized for at least one event associated with the conflict.

22. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 21, wherein:

the memory further stores data relating to one or more upper layer entities; and

the processor is further configured to instruct modification of a radio technology utilized for at least one event associated with the conflict in cooperation with the one or more upper layer entities.

23. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein:

the memory further stores data relating to one or more upper layer entities; and

the processor is further configured to receive configuration information from the one or more upper layer entities and to generate one or more configuration parameters to be utilized by the CxM entity based at least in part on the configuration information.

24. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the CxM entity is a data plane CxM entity.

25. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the memory and the processor are associated with a control plane CxM entity.

26. An apparatus, comprising:

means for obtaining information relating to properties of one or more associated transceivers; and

means for generating configuration parameters to be utilized by an associated coexistence manager (CxM) entity in connection with management of events corresponding to the one or more associated transceivers based at least in part on the properties of the one or more associated transceivers.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

the means for obtaining information comprises means for identifying a transceiver entering an enabled state from a disabled state; and

the apparatus further comprises means for registering the transceiver entering an enabled state.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for generating comprises means for generating configuration parameters relating to potential pairwise collisions between respective associated transceivers.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

the means for obtaining information comprises means for determining operating states of the one or more associated transceivers; and

the apparatus further comprises means for configuring an associated sleep mode based at least in part on the operating states of the one or more associated transceivers.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for generating comprises means for generating configuration parameters relating to priorities of events executable by the one or more associated transceivers.

31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for generating comprises:

means for receiving event conflict information corresponding to the one or more transceivers from the associated CxM entity; and

means for generating configuration parameters based at least in part on the event conflict information.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising means for cooperating with one or more upper layer entities with respect to modification of a radio technology utilized for at least one event associated with one or more associated transceivers based at least in part on the properties of the one or more associated transceivers.

33. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for generating comprises:

means for receiving configuration information from one or more upper layer entities; and

means for generating configuration parameters based at least in part on the configuration information.

34. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the one or more associated transceivers comprises at least one radio.

35. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

code for causing a computer to obtain information relating to properties of one or more associated radios; and

code for causing a computer to generate configuration parameters to be utilized by an associated coexistence manager (CxM) entity in connection with management of events corresponding to the one or more associated radios based at least in part on the properties of the one or more associated radios.

36. A method, comprising:

identifying one or more transceivers and a coexistence manager (CxM) entity associated with the one or more transceivers;

receiving one or more configuration parameters from the CxM entity;

receiving notifications of respective events from the one or more transceivers;

determining whether respective events for which notifications are received can be executed concurrently based at least in part on the one or more configuration parameters; and

transmitting respective responses to the one or more transceivers according to a result of the determining.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein:

the receiving one or more configuration parameters comprises identifying a set of potential pairwise collisions between respective transceivers in the one or more transceivers; and

the determining comprises determining whether respective events for which notifications are received can be executed concurrently based at least in part on the set of potential pairwise collisions.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the determining comprises filtering the one or more transceivers into respective clusters of transceivers that are capable of colliding based at least in part on the one or more configuration parameters.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the filtering is performed by at least one of a data plane CxM entity or a control plane CxM entity.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the determining further comprises determining respective subsets of the one or more transceivers that can execute events for which corresponding notifications are received concurrently.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the determining respective subsets comprises:

generating a candidate subset of transceivers associated with respective events for which notifications are received;

determining whether the candidate subset of transceivers can execute the respective events concurrently; and

iterating generation of a candidate subset of transceivers upon determining that the candidate subset of transceivers cannot execute the respective events concurrently.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the determining further comprises generating a resolution for the one or more transceivers at least in part by determining whether respective configurations for the one or more transceivers exist such that respective events for which notifications are received can be executed concurrently.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the generating a resolution comprises generating a resolution for the one or more transceivers based at least in part on parameters corresponding to an interference table provided by the CxM entity that relates to the one or more transceivers.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the generating a resolution is performed by at least one of a data plane CxM entity or a control plane CxM entity.

45. The method of claim 38, where the determining further comprises prioritizing respective events for which notifications are received.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the prioritizing comprises prioritizing the respective events for which notifications are received based at least in part on priority information obtained from the CxM entity.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the prioritizing is performed by at least one of a data plane CxM entity or a control plane CxM entity.

48. The method of claim 36, wherein the receiving notifications comprises receiving notifications of respective events from the one or more transceivers on respective time slots designated for the one or more transceivers.

49. The method of claim 36, wherein:

the receiving notifications comprises receiving notifications of respective events from the one or more transceivers via a common bus; and

the transmitting comprises transmitting respective responses to the one or more transceivers via the common bus.

50. The method of claim 36, wherein the transmitting comprises broadcasting respective responses to the one or more transceivers.

51. The method of claim 36, wherein:

the receiving one or more configuration parameters comprises receiving one or more parameters relating to a specified protocol to be utilized for communication with the one or more transceivers; and

the transmitting comprises transmitting respective responses to the one or more transceivers based on the specified protocol.

52. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

recording information relating to conflicts between events associated with the one or more transceivers; and

relaying the information to the CxM entity.

53. The method of claim 36, wherein at least one of the receiving notifications, determining, or transmitting are performed by a data plane CxM entity.

54. The method of claim 36, wherein the CxM entity is a control plane CxM entity.

55. The method of claim 36, wherein the one or more transceivers comprises at least one radio.

56. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that stores data relating to one or more radios and a coexistence manager (CxM) entity associated with the one or more radios; and

a processor configured to receive one or more configuration parameters from the CxM entity, to receive notifications of respective events from the one or more radios, to conduct a determination relating to whether respective events for which notifications are received can be executed concurrently based at least in part on the one or more configuration parameters, and to transmit respective responses to the one or more radios according to the determination.

57. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processor is further configured to filter the one or more radios into respective clusters of radios that are capable of colliding based at least in part on the one or more configuration parameters.

58. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 57, wherein the processor is further configured to determine respective subsets of the one or more radios that can execute events for which corresponding notifications are received concurrently.

59. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 58, wherein the processor is further configured to determine respective subsets of the one or more radios at least in part by generating a candidate subset of radios associated with respective events for which notifications are received, determining whether the candidate subset of radios can execute the respective events concurrently, and iterating generation of a candidate subset of radios upon determining that the candidate subset of radios cannot execute the respective events concurrently.

60. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 57, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a resolution for the one or more radios at least in part by determining whether respective configurations for the one or more radios exist such that respective events for which notifications are received can be executed concurrently.

61. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 60, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a resolution for the one or more radios based at least in part on parameters corresponding to an interference table provided by the CxM entity that relates to the one or more radios.

62. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 57, wherein the processor is further configured to prioritize respective events for which notifications are received.

63. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 62, wherein the processor is further configured to prioritize the respective events for which notifications are received based at least in part on priority information obtained from the CxM entity.

64. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processor is further configured to receive notifications of respective events from the one or more radios on respective time slots designated for the one or more radios.

65. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processor is further configured to broadcast respective responses to the one or more radios.

66. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 56, wherein:

the memory further stores data relating to a specified protocol to be utilized for communication with the one or more radios; and

the processor is further configured to transmit respective responses to the one or more radios based on the specified protocol.

67. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processor is further configured to record information relating to conflicts between events associated with the one or more radios and to relay recorded information to the CxM entity.

68. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processor is associated with at least one of a data plane CxM entity or a control plane CxM entity.

69. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 56, wherein the CxM entity is a control plane CxM entity.

70. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a set of coexistence configuration parameters and at least one event request;

means for determining whether events corresponding to the at least one event request can be executed concurrently based on the coexistence configuration parameters; and

means for communicating responses to respective transceivers corresponding to the at least one event request according to a result of the determination.

71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the means for determining comprises means for filtering respective transceivers from which the at least one event request is received into respective clusters of transceivers that are capable of colliding based at least in part on the set of coexistence configuration parameters.

72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the means for determining further comprises means for determining subsets of the respective transceivers that can execute events corresponding to the at least one event request concurrently.

73. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the means for determining subsets of the respective transceivers comprises:

means for generating a candidate subset of transceivers associated with respective events corresponding to the at least one event request;

means for determining whether the candidate subset of transceivers can execute the respective events concurrently; and

means for iterating generation of a candidate subset of transceivers upon determining that the candidate subset of transceivers cannot execute the respective events concurrently.

74. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the means for determining comprises means for generating a resolution for the events corresponding to the at least one event request at least in part by determining whether respective configurations for transceivers corresponding to the at least one event request exist such that the events corresponding to the at least one event request can be executed concurrently.

75. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the means for generating a resolution comprises means for generating a resolution for the events corresponding to the at least one event request based at least in part on an interference table provided by an associated coexistence manager (CxM) entity that relates to the events.

76. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the means for determining comprises means for prioritizing events corresponding to the at least one event request.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the means for prioritizing comprises means for prioritizing events corresponding to the at least one event request based at least in part on priority information obtained from an associated CxM entity.

78. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the means for receiving comprises means for receiving at least one event request from respective transceivers on time slots designated for the respective transceivers.

79. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the means for communicating responses comprises means for broadcasting responses to respective transceivers corresponding to the at least one event request.

80. The apparatus of claim 70, further comprising:

means for recording information relating to conflicts between events for which respective event requests are received; and

means for relaying recorded information to an associated CxM entity.

81. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the means for receiving, the means for determining, and the means for communicating responses are executed by at least one of a data plane CxM entity or a control plane CxM entity.

82. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the means for receiving comprises means for receiving a set of coexistence configuration parameters from a control plane CxM entity.

83. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the respective transceivers corresponding to the at least one event request comprise at least one radio.

84. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

code for causing a computer to receive a set of radio coexistence configuration parameters and at least one radio event request;

code for causing a computer to determine whether radio events corresponding to the at least one radio event request can be executed concurrently based on the radio coexistence configuration parameters; and

code for causing a computer to communicate responses to respective radios corresponding to the at least one radio event request according to a result of the determination.

85. A system, comprising:

a control plane coexistence manager (CxM) that performs an analysis for a set of transceivers and generates a set of coexistence configuration parameters according to the analysis; and

a data plane CxM that receives the coexistence configuration parameters from the control plane CxM, identifies event requests from the set of transceivers, conducts a determination relating to whether events for which respective event requests are received can be executed concurrently based on the event requests or the coexistence configuration parameters, and transmits respective responses to the set of transceivers according to the determination.

86. The system of claim 85, wherein the set of transceivers comprises at least one radio.