Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
  • H04W48/20—Selecting an access point
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
  • H04W88/02—Terminal devices
  • H04W88/06—Terminal devices adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Definitions

• This relates in general to wireless data communication methods and devices, and more specifically to simultaneous wireless communication of data according the long term evolution (LTE) standard and wireless communication within the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio band.
• LTE long term evolution
• ISM industrial, scientific, and medical
• Some wireless communication devices including wireless phones and wireless tablets, transmit and receive data wireless according to multiple protocols. These protocols can broadly be characterized as involving long range and short range communications.
• Wireless communication devices may perform short range (for example, less than 30 meters) communications according to a short range protocol such as the IEEE 802.11 ("802.11") specification.
• a short range protocol such as the IEEE 802.11 (“802.11") specification.
• the 802.11 specification is more commonly known as "WiFi,” which is the commercial name for the standard.
• WiFi wireless local area networks
• WLANs which link two or more devices using a wireless distribution method, implement the 802.11 standard.
• Wireless signals transmitted according to the 802.11 specification propagate at a frequency of 2450 MHz (2.45 GHz).
• Wireless signals produced according the 802.11 are characterized by a frequency that is within an industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio band.
• ISM radio bands are portions of the radio spectrum that are reserved internationally for the use of radio frequency (RF) energy for industrial, scientific and medical purposes, other than communications.
• Examples of applications in the ISM bands include radio-frequency process heating, microwave ovens, and medical diathermy machines. The powerful emissions of these devices can create electromagnetic interference and disrupt radio communication using the same frequency. This is a reason that these ISM devices were limited to certain bands of frequencies.
• ISM bands have been for short-range, low power communications systems such as WLAN communication according to the 802.11 standard.
• Additional communication systems that operate in the ISM band are cordless (non-mobile) phones, BluetoothTM devices, and near field communication (NFC) systems.
• communications equipment operating in the ISM band must tolerate interference generated by ISM
• WLAN communications relates to simultaneous wireless communications generated according to one or more long range protocols.
• These long range protocols include standards promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including "3G,” which is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications- 2000 (IMT-2000) specifications by the International Telecommunication Union.
• 3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project
• 4G 4th Generation Protocol
• WiMAX Microwave Access
• LTE Long Term Evolution
• the WiMAX specification is a commercial implementation of the IEEE 802.16 family of wireless-networks standards.
• the WiMAX standard provides for 30 to 40 megabit per second data rates over a range far surpassing the 30-meter wireless range of a
• WiMAX signals are offered with a signal radius of about 50 km.
• the LTE standard which has been marketed as 4G-LTE, is a standard for wireless communication that was developed by the 3GPP, and is specified in the Project's Release 8 document series, with minor enhancements described in Release 9.
• the LTE standard for wireless data communications is an evolution of the Global System for Mobile
• GSM Global System for Mobile communications
• UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
• a wireless communication device simultaneously processes a WLAN signal and a 3G or 4G LTE signal.
• the problems arise because the 3G and 4G LTE standards are implemented with signals having frequencies that border or overlap the ISM band within which WLAN (and BluetoothTM) signals propagate. Because of this overlap in signals, for example, when an LTE signal is transmitted by a device at an overlapping frequency, a simultaneously transmitted WLAN signal may be blocked from being received by the device. Additionally, when a signal is transmitted by the device over a WLAN, the signal may be intermodulated with an LTE signal being received by the device. What is needed therefore is a wireless communication device that can simultaneously process WLAN and LTE signals and can account for the overlap in the frequencies of the WLAN and LTE signals.
• the device comprises a processing unit that includes a first chip that transmits and receives data according to a long term evolution (LTE) standard.
• the processing unit further includes a second chip that operates in parallel with the first chip, and transmits and receives data over a wireless local area network (WLAN).
• LTE long term evolution
• the processing unit is configured to determine a plurality of access points (AP) through which data can be transmitted and received by the second chip over the WLAN.
• the processing unit is further configured to identify an optimal AP based on a plurality of factors including at least a determination, for each different AP, of whether transmission or reception of data by the first chip according to the LTE standard, simultaneous to the transmission or reception of data over the WLAN by the second chip, decreases the overall throughput of the first chip and the second chip.
• the second chip may be previously connected to the WLAN through any AP other than the optimal AP.
• the processing unit is further configured to disconnect the second chip from the any AP other than the optimal AP.
• the processing unit if further configured to connect the second chip to the WLAN through the optimal AP.
• a method is also disclosed herein that is implemented in a device that is operable to transmit and receive data wirelessly.
• the device comprises a processing unit that includes a first chip that transmits and receives data according to a long term evolution (LTE) standard.
• the processing unit further includes a second chip that operates in parallel with the first chip and that transmits and receives data over a wireless local area network (WLAN).
• the method comprises determining, by the processing unit, a plurality of access points (AP) through which data can be transmitted and received by the second chip over the WLAN.
• AP access points
• the method further comprises identifying, by the processing unit, an optimal AP based on a plurality of factors including at least a determination, for each different AP, of whether transmission or reception of data by the first chip according to the LTE standard, simultaneous to the transmission or reception of data over the WLAN by the second chip, would decrease the overall throughput of the first chip and the second chip.
• the second chip may be previously connected to the WLAN through any AP other than the optimal AP.
• the method further comprises, when the second chip is previously connected to the WLAN through any AP other than the optimal AP,
• the method further comprises the processing unit connecting the second chip to the WLAN through the optimal AP.
• a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is also disclosed.
• the storage medium has instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed by a processing unit as described above, in a wireless communication device as described above, the method steps described above are performed.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a WLAN environment, with a plurality of access points (APs), in which one or more wireless communication devices operate.
• APs access points
• FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a device operable to transmit and receive data wirelessly.
• FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method implemented in a device operable to transmit and receive data wirelessly.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a chart of frequency ranges of wireless
• This disclosure relates to wireless communications with a device wherein signals are simultaneously transmitted and received both over a WLAN and according to an LTE standard.
• Devices that accommodate WLAN and LTE signals typically process these signals using two dedicated chips: one chip for processing WLAN signals and the other chip for processing LTE signals.
• Reference made herein to a WLAN chip or an LTE chip are references to the respective chip that processes the WLAN or LTE signals.
• Wireless communication devices conventionally do not consider the effect of LTE signals on the processing of WLAN signals by the WLAN chip, and correspondingly do not consider the effect of WLAN signals on the processing of LTE signals by the LTE chip.
• the effects include blocking and intermodulation.
• the embodiments described and claimed herein focus on identifying and connecting to an optimal access point (AP) in a WLAN, by the WLAN chip, when considering the effect of simultaneous LTE communications on the overall throughput of the WLAN chip and the LTE chip.
• ICs integrated circuits
• FIG. 4 which illustrates a chart 400 of frequency ranges of wireless communication signals in the ISM band and 3G and 4G signals, may be helpful in that regard.
• the chart 400 initially shows that two different wireless technologies that propagate signals in a portion of the ISM band 401 at 2400 MHz - 2483. 5 MHz.
• WLAN signals 407 which as indicated above are signal produced according to the 802.11 / WiFi standard, propagate over several channels (varying from country to country) within the 2.4 GHz ISM band, and are summarized in chart 400 simply as being approximately 2450 MHz.
• BluetoothTM 409 signals are produced by a frequency-hopping spread spectrum, which chops up the data being sent and transmits chunks of it on up to 79 bands that are 1 MHz apart and are centered from 2402 to 2480 MHz in the range 2,400 - 2483.5 MHz.
• BluetoothTM 409 signals and WLAN 407 signals share adjacent frequency bands to signals produced according to various 3G and 4G standards.
• LTE signals are produced according to various modes depending upon which country or part of the world a device is being operated in.
• LTE signals promulgated using Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) on 3GPP Band 7, as indicated by reference character 413, are up linked (transmitted) in a frequency range between 2500-2570 MHz.
• FDD Frequency Division Duplexing
• LTE signals 405 in China are uplinked and downlinked in the same frequency range, there may not be a filter, and there may not be enough of a spread, to prevent a 2390 MHz WLAN signal, for example, from being received by the LTE chip in the wireless communication device. Therefore an actual simultaneous LTE 2390 MHz will be blocked from being received by the LTE chip.
• intermodulation also occurs as a result of LTE frequency bands that are adjacent to the WLAN frequency band. Intermodulation is simply the production of a signal that is of a frequency that is a difference of frequencies of different inputs. Thus, as a result of simultaneous uplinks of both an LTE signal and WLAN signal on two channels simultaneously, an intermodulated signal is received in a third channel.
• LTE signals are downlinked using FDD on 3GPP Band 7, as indicated by reference character 417, in a frequency range between 2620-2690 MHz.
• an LTE chip uplinks an LTE signal on 3GPP B7 Uplink (at 413), and simultaneously the WLAN chip transmits an WLAN signal according to the 802.11 standard, the signal received on 3GPP B7 Downlink (at 417) may be intermodulated.
• chart 400 also illustrates that WiMAX signals promulgating on WiMAX Band 1 (at 403) are processed using FDD and TDD in a frequency range of 2300 - 2400 MHz. Additionally, WiMAX signals promulgating on WiMAX Band 3 A (at 411) are processed using FDD and TDD in a frequency range of 2496 - 2690 MHz. Lastly, and as can further be seen from the chart 400, LTE signals are promulgated and received using TDD on 3GPP Band 38, as indicated by reference character 415. Using TDD, signals are uplinked and downlinked in the same frequency range, between 2570 - 2620 MHz. All of the above signals are subject to the problems of blocking and intermodulation when considered in view of WLAN or BluetoothTM transmission and reception of signals
• a wireless communication device will simultaneously communicate over a WLAN and an LTE network. Examples of such locations include malls, restaurants, work places, sporting arenas, etc. In these areas, a wireless communication device will communicate according to the 802.11 specification with a wireless AP that is further connected to a router (via a wired network) or is itself a router.
• APs may be provided at regular distance intervals. For example, there may be provided an AP every certain number of square meters. A network of APs is thus formed. [0035] Each AP may operate over a slightly different frequency (known as a channel). In this way, the network load can be spread among the different APs. In addition, interference is reduced.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a WLAN environment, with a plurality of APs, in which one or more wireless communication devices operates, is now discussed and described.
• several APs 101(a), 101(b), 101(c) are provided through which the wireless communication devices can communicate using the 802.11 (WiFi) standard.
• WiFi 802.11
• the APs 101 (a), 101 (b), 101 (c) each operate on a different channel, namely a 1 st channel, 2 nd channel, and 3 rd channel, respectively.
• a 1 st channel, 2 nd channel, and 3 rd channel respectively.
• the particular labeling here of the channels at 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd does not indicate any particular frequency, but only that the 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd channels are each different from the other.
• a wireless communication device in the WLAN (as held by an individual 105) communicates with a geographically closest AP, this is not necessarily the case.
• a wireless communication device determines which AP to connect with by scanning for each of the plurality of APs, and providing a grade for each of the plurality of APs.
• the grade for each AP is based on a number of factors including, for example, an individual AP's performance speed capability/capacity, network load, received signal strength indication (RSSI), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the AP.
• RSSI received signal strength indication
• SNR signal-to-noise ratio
• An AP with the highest grade is selected by an individual wireless communication device for establishing WLAN communication.
• what is not considered, conventionally is the effect of LTE signals on WLAN processing, the effect of WLAN signals on LTE processing, and their mutual effect on throughput of a device.
• a wireless communication device includes a first chip that is configured to transmit and receive data according to the LTE standard, and a second chip configured to operate in parallel with the first chip to transmit and receive data over a WLAN.
• the first and second chips together form a processing unit.
• the processing unit identifies an optimal AP.
• the optimal AP is identified based on a plurality of factors that includes at least a determination for each different AP, of whether transmission or reception of data by the first chip according to the LTE standard, simultaneous to transmission or reception of data over the WLAN by the second chip, would decrease the throughput of the first chip and the second chip.
• the specific channel of each different AP will be analyzed in view of the known frequencies of adjacent LTE bands in order to determine whether any LTE signals will block reception of WLAN signals designated for the second chip. If so, throughput of the second chip would be reduced.
• the specific channel of each different AP will be analyzed in view of the known frequencies of adjacent LTE bands in order to determine whether any signals received by the first chip will be intermodulated. If so, throughput of the first chip would again be reduced.
• an identification of an optimal AP is both determined as soon as wireless communication device is within the range of a WLAN, and continues to be determined as the device is maintained within the range of the WLAN.
• the processing unit determines whether the second chip is previously connected with an AP other than the optimal AP.
• the second chip is disconnected from the non-optimal AP.
• the second chip is then connected to the optimal AP.
• the expression "connected to” as used above simply means that the second chip is configured to transmit and receive data on a particular channel that is being used by a particular AP.
• the expression “disconnect” simply indicates that data is no longer transmitted and received on the particular channel.
• identifying the optimal AP may include providing an initial grade to each of the plurality of APs based on the factors described above. Such a grading is conventionally performed, as discussed above. However, where a determination that the transmission or reception of data by the first chip according to the LTE standard,
• each AP is provided an initial score and/or grade that is based on several factors. In some sense, all of the factor ultimately relate to throughput of the wireless communication device being used in the WLAN.
• an initial score which reflects an overall throughput of a wireless communication device in terms of both WLAN and LTE data communications (but without a consideration of simultaneous WLAN and LTE communications) is provided.
• AP(1) is provided a grade of 42
• AP(2) is provided a grade of 56
• AP(3) is provided a grade of 58
• AP(4) is provided a grade of 64.
• AP(4) with a grade of 64 is the number one ranked AP.
• a wireless communication device capable of WLAN and LTE communication would transmit and receive WLAN signals on the channel assigned to AP(4). However, for each different AP, the wireless communication device determines whether reception of data over the WLAN (by the WLAN chip) would be blocked by the
• the wireless communication device further determines, for each different AP, whether transmission of data by the second chip over the WLAN would cause intermodulation during reception of signals by the LTE chip, according to the LTE standard.
• AP(3) is provided an adjusted grade of 54
• AP(4) is provided an adjusted grade of 52.
• three of the four AP received some type of downward grading due to simultaneous processing of WLAN and LTE signals through those APs.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a device 201 operable to transmit and receive data wirelessly.
• the wireless communication device 201 may include a transceiver 221 , a processing unit 203, a first (LTE) chip 205, a second (WLAN) chip 207, a memory 209, a display
• the processing unit 203 including the first chip 205 and the second chip 207 may comprise one or more microprocessors and/or one or more digital signal processors. Certain processing functions of the processing unit 203 may be performed by a
• microprocessor that is independent of both chips 205, 207.
• the memory 209 may be coupled to the processing unit 203 and the first and second chips 205, 207, and may comprise a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a programmable ROM (PROM), and/or an electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM).
• the memory 209 may include multiple memory locations for storing, among other things, an operating system, data, and variables 211 for computer programs executed by the processing unit 203, including the first chip 205 and the second chip 207.
• the computer programs cause the processing unit 203, including the first chip 205 and the second chip 207, to operate in connection with various functions as now described.
• a first function 213 causes the processing unit 203 to determine a plurality APs through which data can be transmitted and received by the second chip over a WLAN.
• a second function 215 causes the processing unit 203 to identify an optimal AP, based on a plurality of factors including at least a determination, for each different AP, of whether transmission or reception of data by the first chip 205 according to the LTE standard, simultaneous to transmission or reception of data over the WLAN by the second chip 207, would decrease the overall throughput of the first chip 205 and the second chip 207.
• a third function 217 causes the processing unit 203, when the second chip 207 is previously connected to the WLAN through any AP other than the optimal AP, to disconnect the second chip 207 from the any AP other than the optimal AP.
• a fourth function 219 causes the processing unit 203 to connect the second chip 207 to the WLAN through the optimal AP.
• the memory 209 additionally includes a miscellaneous database 220 for storing other data not specifically mentioned herein.
• the display mechanism 223, the keypad and/or touch screen 225, the speaker 227, and the voice amplification mechanism 229 each serve to provide traditional
• transceiver 221 may include multiple antenna or a single antenna for processing signals on both the WLAN network, and according to the LTE specification.
• FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method implemented in a device operable to transmit and receive data wirelessly.
• the device in which the method is implemented comprises a processing unit including a first chip that transmits and receives data according to an LTE standard and a second chip that operates in parallel with the first chip, and transmits and receive data over WLAN.
• the method comprises, at 303, determining by the processing unit, a plurality of APs through which data can be transmitted and received by the second chip over the WLAN.
• the method further comprises, at 305, identifying by the processing unit, an optimal AP based on a plurality of factors including at least a determination, for each different AP, of whether transmission or reception of data by the first chip according to the LTE standard, simultaneous to transmission or reception of data over the WLAN by the second chip, would decrease the overall throughput of the first chip and the second chip.
• the method further comprises, when the second chip is previously connected to the WLAN through any AP other than the optimal AP, disconnecting by the processing unit, the second chip from the any AP other than the optimal AP.
• the method lastly comprises, at 309, the processing unit connecting the second chip to the WLAN through the optimal AP.
• the method ends.
• wireless communication unit denotes a device ordinarily associated with a user and typically a wireless mobile device that may be used with a public network, for example in accordance with a service agreement, or within a private network such as an enterprise network.
• wireless mobile devices include personal digital assistants, personal assignment pads, and personal computers equipped for wireless operation, a cellular handset or device, or equivalents thereof provided such units are arranged and constructed for operation in different networks.
• the expression “transmits and receives data over a wireless local area network” or “transmits and receives data over a WLAN” is includes any transmissions or receptions by a wireless communication device that occurs in accord with the 802.11 specification, or the WiFi specification as commercially available. It should also be noted that while the instant disclosure may emphasize 802.11 communications in the ISM band, the principles described in this disclosure are equally applicable to BluetoothTM communications in a portion of the ISM band between 2000-2483.5 MHz. More specifically, any claims directed to
• the expression “transmits and receives data according to a long term evolution standard” or “transmits and receives data according to an LTE standard” includes any transmission or receptions based on 3rd generation mobile telecommunications that fulfill the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) specifications by the International Telecommunication Union or the March 2008 International
• ITU-R Telecommunications Union-Radio
• IMT International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced

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• 2012
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