CHOOSING A CHANNEL FOR PROXIMITY SENSING IN A USER DEVICE

Described herein is an apparatus having at least two antennas to communicate over multiple communication channels. The apparatus can further include processing circuitry coupled to the at least two antennas to measure isolation in the communication channels while the communication channels are operating in a radar mode to select a channel having highest isolation among the communication channels. The processing circuitry can further perform radar detection over the channel having highest isolation. Other systems and methods are described.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the disclosure pertain to antennas within user devices. More particularly, aspects proximity sensing using antennas.

BACKGROUND

Some electronic devices in use today, such as laptops, include presence sensors that can detect proximity of a person. Upon such detection, these devices may power on, activate screens, or otherwise provide responsiveness to human presence. Conversely, such devices can detect when a user is not present and perform power saving operations or security operations such as dimming the screen or locking the screen to prevent device access.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific aspects to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other aspects may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some aspects may be included in, or substituted for, those of other aspects. Aspects set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims.

Some electronic devices in use today, such as laptops, include presence sensors that can detect proximity of a person. Sensing technologies can be based on various technologies including capacitive sensing, electric field sensing, inductive technologies, optics, radar, etc. Proximity sensing can improve user experience by reacting when a user approaches by, for example, activating the device or device screen, thus improving responsiveness of the device. Proximity sensing can also improve power profiles and lifetime of devices by dimming a device screen or powering down when a user is away from the device.

In some example technologies, proximity sensing is performed by the device (e.g., laptop) antenna transmitting a signal (e.g., periodically) and listening for a return in a transmit/receive loopback. Devices can use internal antennas, for example in pairs, wherein one antenna transmits a known signal (e.g., a Wi-Fi signal) and the other antenna receives the return signal. Processing circuitry or other circuitry can detect changes in the return signal that correspond to approach events (e.g., a user is near the device or approaching the device) and walk away events (e.g., the user has left the area of the device).

However, to accurately sense approach and walk away events, the device antennas need to be isolated. Otherwise, the main beam of the line of sight (LOS) could “blind” the receiver, making it difficult to detect the reflections coming from the user. Apparatuses, systems and methods according to aspects of this disclosure address this and other concerns by defining an algorithm that sweeps over all or some subset of available communication (e.g., Wi-Fi) channels. Processing circuitry or a processor (e.g., hardware processor1802(FIG.10) can execute an algorithm to measure isolation in each channel and choose the channel having at least adequate, or highest, isolation for active radar Wi-Fi sensing. The communication systems, devices, and other components providing possible converter inputs are described in more detail with respect toFIG.1-5B.

Systems for Implementing Various Aspects of the Disclosure

FIG.1illustrates an exemplary user device according to some aspects. The user device100may be a mobile device or a laptop configured to operate over a plurality of Wi-Fi channels and to use active radar Wi-Fi sensing according to aspects of the disclosure. The user device100can include an application processor105, base-band processor110(also referred to as a base-band sub-system), radio front end module (RFEM)115, memory120, connectivity sub-system125, near field communication (NFC) controller130, audio driver135, camera driver140, touch screen145, display driver150, sensors155, removable memory160, power management integrated circuit (PMIC)165, and smart battery170.

In some aspects, application processor105may include, for example, one or more central processing unit (CPU) cores and one or more of cache memory, low drop-out voltage regulators (LDOs), interrupt controllers, serial interfaces such as serial peripheral interface (SPI), inter-integrated circuit (I2C) or universal programmable serial interface sub-system, real time clock (RTC), timer-counters including interval and watchdog timers, general purpose IO, memory card controllers such as SD/MMC or similar, USB interfaces, mobile industry processor interface (MIPI) interfaces, and/or Joint Test Access Group (JTAG) test access ports.

In some aspects, base-band processor110may be implemented, for example, as a solder-down substrate including one or more integrated circuits, a single packaged integrated circuit soldered to a main circuit board, and/or a multi-chip module including two or more integrated circuits.

Applications of mmWave technology can include, for example, WiGig and future 5G, but the mmWave technology can be applicable to a variety of telecommunications systems. The mmWave technology can be especially attractive for short-range telecommunications systems. WiGig devices operate in the unlicensed 60 GHz band, whereas 5G mmWave is expected to operate initially in the licensed 28 GHz and 39 GHz bands. A block diagram of an example base-band processor110and RFEM115in a mmWave system is shown inFIG.1A.

FIG.1Aillustrates a mmWave system100A, which can be used in connection with the device100ofFIG.1according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The system100A includes two components: a base-band processor110and one or more radio front end modules (RFEMs)115. The RFEM115can be connected to the base-band processor110by a single coaxial cable190, which supplies a modulated intermediate frequency (IF) signal, DC power, clocking signals and control signals.

The base-band processor110is not shown in its entirety, butFIG.1Arather shows an implementation of analog front end. This includes a transmitter (TX) section191A with an upconverter173to intermediate frequency (IF) (around 10 GHz in current implementations), a receiver (RX) section191B with downconversion175from IF to base-band, control and multiplexing circuitry177including a combiner to multiplex/demultiplex transmit and receive signals onto a single cable190. In addition, power tee circuitry192(which includes discrete components) is included on the base-band circuit board to provide DC power for the RFEM115. In some aspects, the combination of the TX section and RX section may be referred to as a transceiver, to which may be coupled one or more antennas or antenna arrays of the types described herein.

The RFEM115can be a small circuit board including a number of printed antennas and one or more RF devices containing multiple radio chains, including upconversion/downconversion174to millimeter wave frequencies, power combiner/divider176, programmable phase shifting178and power amplifiers (PA)180, low noise amplifiers (LNA)182, as well as control and power management circuitry184A and184B. This arrangement can be different from Wi-Fi or cellular implementations, which generally have all RF and base-band functionality integrated into a single unit and only antennas connected remotely via coaxial cables.

This architectural difference can be driven by the very large power losses in coaxial cables at millimeter wave frequencies. These power losses can reduce the transmit power at the antenna and reduce receive sensitivity. In order to avoid this issue, in some aspects, PAs180and LNAs182may be moved to the RFEM115with integrated antennas. In addition, the RFEM115may include upconversion/downconversion174so that the IF signals over the coaxial cable190can be at a lower frequency. Additional system context for mmWave 5G apparatuses, techniques and features is discussed herein below.

FIG.2illustrates an exemplary base station or infrastructure equipment radio head according to some aspects. The base station radio-head200may include one or more of application processor205, base-band processors210, one or more radio front end modules215, memory220, power management integrated circuitry (PMIC)225, power tee circuitry230, network controller235, network interface connector240, satellite navigation receiver (e.g., GPS receiver)245, and user interface250.

In some aspects, application processor205may include one or more CPU cores and one or more of cache memory, low drop-out voltage regulators (LDOs), interrupt controllers, serial interfaces such as SPI, I2C or universal programmable serial interface, real time clock (RTC), timer-counters including interval and watchdog timers, general purpose IO, memory card controllers such as SD/MMC or similar, USB interfaces, MIPI interfaces and Joint Test Access Group (JTAG) test access ports.

In some aspects, base-band processor210may be implemented, for example, as a solder-down substrate including one or more integrated circuits, a single packaged integrated circuit soldered to a main circuit board or a multi-chip sub-system including two or more integrated circuits.

In some aspects, memory220may include one or more of volatile memory including dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and nonvolatile memory (NVM) including high-speed electrically erasable memory (commonly referred to as Flash memory), phase-change random access memory (PRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), and/or a three-dimensional crosspoint memory. Memory220may be implemented as one or more of solder down packaged integrated circuits, socketed memory modules and plug-in memory cards.

In some aspects, power management integrated circuitry225may include one or more of voltage regulators, surge protectors, power alarm detection circuitry and one or more backup power sources such as a battery or capacitor. Power alarm detection circuitry may detect one or more of brown out (under-voltage) and surge (over-voltage) conditions.

In some aspects, power tee circuitry230may provide for electrical power drawn from a network cable. Power tee circuitry230may provide both power supply and data connectivity to the base station radio-head200using a single cable.

In some aspects, network controller235may provide connectivity to a network using a standard network interface protocol such as Ethernet. Network connectivity may be provided using a physical connection which is one of electrical (commonly referred to as copper interconnect), optical or wireless.

In some aspects, satellite navigation receiver245may include circuitry to receive and decode signals transmitted by one or more navigation satellite constellations such as the global positioning system (GPS), Globalnaya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS), Galileo and/or BeiDou. The receiver245may provide, to application processor205, data which may include one or more of position data or time data. Time data may be used by application processor205to synchronize operations with other radio base stations or infrastructure equipment.

In some aspects, user interface250may include one or more of buttons. The buttons may include a reset button. User interface250may also include one or more indicators such as LEDs and a display screen.

FIG.3Aillustrates exemplary wireless communication circuitry according to some aspects;FIGS.3B and3Cillustrate aspects of transmit circuitry shown inFIG.3Aaccording to some aspects;FIG.3Dillustrates aspects of radio frequency circuitry shown inFIG.3Aaccording to some aspects;FIG.3Eillustrates aspects of receive circuitry inFIG.3Aaccording to some aspects. Wireless communication circuitry300shown inFIG.3Amay be alternatively grouped according to functions. Components illustrated inFIG.3Aare provided here for illustrative purposes and may include other components not shown inFIG.3A.

Wireless communication circuitry300may include protocol processing circuitry305(or processor) or other means for processing. Protocol processing circuitry305may implement one or more of medium access control (MAC), radio link control (RLC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), radio resource control (RRC) and non-access stratum (NAS) functions, among others. Protocol processing circuitry305may include one or more processing cores to execute instructions and one or more memory structures to store program and data information.

Wireless communication circuitry300may further include digital base-band circuitry310. Digital base-band circuitry310may implement physical layer (PHY) functions including one or more of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) functions, scrambling and/or descrambling, coding and/or decoding, layer mapping and/or de-mapping, modulation symbol mapping, received symbol and/or bit metric determination, multi-antenna port pre-coding and/or decoding which may include one or more of space-time, space-frequency or spatial coding, reference signal generation and/or detection, preamble sequence generation and/or decoding, synchronization sequence generation and/or detection, control channel signal blind decoding, and other related functions.

Wireless communication circuitry300may further include transmit circuitry315, receive circuitry320and/or antenna array circuitry330. Wireless communication circuitry300may further include RF circuitry325. In some aspects, RF circuitry325may include one or multiple parallel RF chains for transmission and/or reception. Each of the RF chains may be connected to one or more antennas of antenna array circuitry330.

In some aspects, protocol processing circuitry305may include one or more instances of control circuitry. The control circuitry may provide control functions for one or more of digital base-band circuitry310, transmit circuitry315, receive circuitry320, and/or RF circuitry325.

FIGS.3B and3Cillustrate aspects of transmit circuitry shown inFIG.3Aaccording to some aspects. Transmit circuitry315shown inFIG.3Bmay include one or more of digital to analog converters (DACs)340, analog base-band circuitry345, up-conversion circuitry350and/or filtering and amplification circuitry355. DACs340may convert digital signals into analog signals. Analog base-band circuitry345may perform multiple functions as indicated below. Up-conversion circuitry350may up-convert base-band signals from analog base-band circuitry345to RF frequencies (e.g., mmWave frequencies). Filtering and amplification circuitry355may filter and amplify analog signals. Control signals may be supplied between protocol processing circuitry305and one or more of DACs340, analog base-band circuitry345, up-conversion circuitry350and/or filtering and amplification circuitry355.

Transmit circuitry315shown inFIG.3Cmay include digital transmit circuitry365and RF circuitry370. In some aspects, signals from filtering and amplification circuitry355may be provided to digital transmit circuitry365. As above, control signals may be supplied between protocol processing circuitry305and one or more of digital transmit circuitry365and RF circuitry370.

FIG.3Dillustrates aspects of radio frequency circuitry shown inFIG.3Aaccording to some aspects. Radio frequency circuitry325may include one or more instances of radio chain circuitry372, which in some aspects may include one or more filters, power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, programmable phase shifters and power supplies.

Radio frequency circuitry325may also in some aspects include power combining and dividing circuitry374. In some aspects, power combining and dividing circuitry374may operate bidirectionally, such that the same physical circuitry may be configured to operate as a power divider when the device is transmitting, and as a power combiner when the device is receiving. In some aspects, power combining and dividing circuitry374may include one or more wholly or partially separate circuitries to perform power dividing when the device is transmitting and power combining when the device is receiving. In some aspects, power combining and dividing circuitry374may include passive circuitry including one or more two-way power divider/combiners arranged in a tree. In some aspects, power combining and dividing circuitry374may include active circuitry including amplifier circuits.

In some aspects, radio frequency circuitry325may connect to transmit circuitry315and receive circuitry320inFIG.3A. Radio frequency circuitry325may connect to transmit circuitry315and receive circuitry320via one or more radio chain interfaces376and/or a combined radio chain interface378. In some aspects, one or more radio chain interfaces376may provide one or more interfaces to one or more receive or transmit signals, each associated with a single antenna structure. In some aspects, the combined radio chain interface378may provide a single interface to one or more receive or transmit signals, each associated with a group of antenna structures.

FIG.3Eillustrates aspects of receive circuitry inFIG.3Aaccording to some aspects. Receive circuitry320may include one or more of parallel receive circuitry382and/or one or more of combined receive circuitry384. In some aspects, the one or more parallel receive circuitry382and one or more combined receive circuitry384may include one or more Intermediate Frequency (IF) down-conversion circuitry386, IF processing circuitry388, base-band down-conversion circuitry390, base-band processing circuitry392and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuitry394. As used herein, the term “intermediate frequency” refers to a frequency to which a carrier frequency (or a frequency signal) is shifted as in intermediate step in transmission, reception, and/or signal processing. IF down-conversion circuitry386may convert received RF signals to IF. IF processing circuitry388may process the IF signals, e.g., via filtering and amplification. Base-band down-conversion circuitry390may convert the signals from IF processing circuitry388to base-band. Base-band processing circuitry392may process the base-band signals, e.g., via filtering and amplification. ADC circuitry394may convert the processed analog base-band signals to digital signals. ADC circuitry394can be adapted according to aspects as described in more detail below.

FIG.4illustrates exemplary RF circuitry ofFIG.3Aaccording to some aspects. In an aspect, RF circuitry325inFIG.3A(depicted inFIG.4using reference number425) may include one or more of the IF interface circuitry405, filtering circuitry410, up-conversion and down-conversion circuitry415, synthesizer circuitry420, filtering and amplification circuitry424, power combining and dividing circuitry430, and radio chain circuitry435.

FIG.5AandFIG.5Billustrate aspects of a radio front-end module (RFEM) useable in the circuitry shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, according to some aspects.FIG.5Aillustrates an aspect of a RFEM according to some aspects. RFEM500incorporates a millimeter wave RFEM and one or more above-six gigahertz radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC)515and/or one or more sub-six gigahertz RFICs (not shown inFIG.5A). In this aspect, the one or more sub-six gigahertz RFICs515and/or one or more sub-six gigahertz RFICs may be physically separated from millimeter wave RFEM. RFICs515may include connection to one or more antennas520. RFEM may include multiple antennas510.

FIG.5Billustrates an alternate aspect of a radio front end module525, according to some aspects. In this aspect both millimeter wave and sub-six gigahertz radio functions may be implemented in the same physical radio front end module (RFEM)530. RFEM530may incorporate both millimeter wave antennas535and sub-six gigahertz antennas540.

Choosing Channel for Active Radar Wi-Fi Proximity Sensing

As discussed above, laptops and other user devices include antennas that can be used for proximity sensing. A pair of device antennas in an active radar Wi-Fi configuration can transmit a Wi-Fi signal and then listen to the return signal in a transmit/receive loopback. However, results can be inaccurate unless there is proper or sufficient antenna isolation. Methods according to aspects can address these and other concerns by finding the best Wi-Fi channel to be used for active radar Wi-Fi sensing. Criteria can include measurements of isolation, wherein isolation is a measure of the coupling between antenna elements. High isolation is preferred to low isolation because interference decreases with increased isolation.

Methods according to aspects can perform a “sweep” of available channels or a set of channels if antenna isolation is outside of a valid range (e.g., sensitivity of the antenna system becomes too low or too high). In the context of embodiments, sensitivity can be measured by how much a received signal's Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) fluctuates, as a function of the movements of a person approaching a device (e.g., laptop) or user proximity to the device. In practice, as well as theoretically, this sensitivity is a function of antenna isolation, in the sense that this sensitivity increases with increased antenna isolation. Results showing increased sensitivity with increased isolation are also described below in more detail with reference toFIG.7and Table 1 later herein. The sweeping procedure or method can include measuring isolation between a transmit antenna/receive antenna pair for each available or configured Wi-Fi channel. The sweeping can terminate when a channel is detected having isolation within an acceptable range. In some aspects, the sweep can be terminated if a channel is found having isolation that meets requirements of the laptop system or any other requirements, whether or not the isolation is the highest possible isolation or the best possible isolation. This feature can limit the amount of downtime or unavailability time in the system by providing “good enough” communication while accurately predicting or detecting proximity of a user. Some aspects can also include opportunistically checking additional channels (e.g., during the scan or “sweep” operation) to identify a channel with better isolation even if the system is inside the valid isolation range.

Once a Wi-Fi channel is selected, in aspects, the channel can be changed (by resuming measurements of isolation and possibly selecting a different channel than the one currently being used) based on changes in device (e.g., laptop) state. For example, antenna configurations and isolation can change based on the laptop state (e.g., lid angle, tablet vs. normal mode, etc.) and environment (e.g., distance from wall, moving from a wooden to metal table, moving from one cubic to meeting room, etc.). In aspects, selection of a certain Wi-Fi channel can be made in low bands (e.g., 2.4 GHZ), high band (e.g., 5 GHz) or ultra high band (e.g., 6-7 GHz) although aspects of the disclosure are not limited thereto.

Active radar Wi-fi proximity sensing is a software-based solution that can operate on a variety of user devices and platforms, such as laptops, tablets, etc. However, platforms will differ with respect to antenna location and physical behavior such as antenna isolation.

Antenna isolation is a function of the leakage signal when transmitting from antenna A and receiving with antenna B. Antenna isolation is measured in decibels (dB) and can be calculated according to Equation (1):

where Rx_power can be measured at the antenna input before the receiver low noise amplifier (LNA).

Wi-Fi proximity sensing performance is sufficient, or improved, when leakage from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna is sufficiently small. This is demonstrated in the following link budget analysis table that calculates the SNR of a reflection other than the line of sight (LOS):

TABLE 1SNR of a reflection from a human in proximity as a function of isolation.Signal bandwidth (MHz)20202020202020Tx power at antenna A (dBm)−20−20−20−20−20−20−20Antenna isolation (dB)10152025303540Tx at Rx Antenna B (dBm)−30−35−40−45−50−55−60FE loss (dB)2222222Tx at Rx Si (dBm)−32−37−42−47−52−57−62Rx Gain (dB)26293541444444ADC FS (dBm)9999999BO at ADC (dB)15171615172227Reflection Loss47474747474747(Round Trip) (dB)Absorption Loss (dB)10101010101010Reflection at−77−77−77−77−77−77−77Rx Antenna B (dBm)Reflection at Rx Si (dBm)−79−79−79−79−79−79−79Rx NF (at Gain) (dB)12.510.575444Thermal Floor over−88.1−90.1−93.6−95.6−96.6−96.6−96.680 MHz (dBm)Reflection SNR9.111.114.616.617.617.617.6

From Table 1, it can be seen that the SNR of the reflection is higher as the isolation becomes higher and SNRs above 17 dB are achieved at isolation of greater than 35 decibels. It has been observed that proximity detection, particularly detection of approach, is improved or optimal above 17 dB reflection SNR.

FIG.6AandFIG.6Billustrate example responses to user presence as a function of isolation according to some aspects. In both examples, a user (e.g., a human) approach a device (e.g., a laptop). The x-axis in bothFIG.6AandFIG.6Bsignify time and the y-axis depicts the variance of RMS of the received signal in either the scenario ofFIG.6A(isolation 25 dB) orFIG.6B(isolation 45 dB). Wi-Fi channels are also different in the two figures, namely,FIG.6Adepicts operations in a first channel (149 HB in the example) andFIG.6Bdepicts operations in a second channel (177 UHB in the example).

Referring toFIG.6A, the user approaches the device at about point600and, similarly, the user approaches the device at about point602in the scenario depicted inFIG.6B. As can be seen, the response604to approach is much more distinct with higher isolation shown inFIG.6Bcompared toFIG.6A. Therefore, the response to user proximity is greatly improved with higher isolation and Wi-Fi sensing performance may meet or exceed key performance indicators, providing a better user experience.

Also shown inFIG.6AandFIG.6Bis the how the isolation changes when going from one Wi-Fi channel to another, namely, channel 149 HB atFIG.6Avs. channel 177 UHB atFIG.6B. It will be noted that active radar may be implemented in a default channel (e.g., 149 HB channel) for the transmitted periodic signal active radar signal, and thus a high level of isolation needed for good performance is not guaranteed when moving from one platform to another.

FIG.7depicts theoretical detector sensitivity versus isolation in typical conditions for a person at one meter distance from a laptop according to some aspects. The sensitivity is >5 dB at >35 dB isolation (at point702) providing high margin relative to the ‘noise’ level of 0.1 dB

FIG.8Aillustrates measurements of isolation as a function of frequency in an HB channel andFIG.8Billustrates measurements of isolation as a function of frequency in a LB channel for an example laptop system according to some aspects. FromFIG.8AandFIG.8B, it can be seen that isolation changes for lid angle changes, shown at curve800and curve808(laptop lid angle 110 degrees); curve802and curve810(laptop lid angle 170 degrees); curve804and curve812(laptop lid angle 45 degrees); and curve806and curve814(laptop lid angle 110 degrees with the display screen on the table (e.g., wherein the laptop lid is fully open such that the lid (on the opposite side of the screen) can touch the table or other surface. Further, it can be seen that isolation at LB channels (FIG.8B) is much lower than isolation of HB for that platform. Moreover, isolation changes when lid angle changes and between different frequencies.

FromFIG.8AandFIG.8B, it can be appreciated that LB channels are less suitable for proximity sensing because of low isolation, whereas good isolation of >40 dB can be achieved when working at UHB at frequencies 6.3-6.7 GHZ.

FIGS.6A,6B,7,8A, and8Bcan be summarized as follows. Wi-Fi sensing requires isolation at least 35 dB to achieve a good margin between noise level and response to presence of a person, to meet key performance indicators. Furthermore, isolation changes over time as a function of laptop lid angle, and isolation can change between different Wi-Fi channels and the exact function of isolation vs. frequency can vary between platforms.

FIG.9illustrates a method900for monitoring isolation conditions to provide improved proximity sensing according to some aspects. The method900can provide a robust Wi-Fi sensing solution that meets the performance KPIs. The method900can compare current isolation conditions to a desired target and initiate a change to a new Wi-Fi channel having a better isolation for sensing purposes. Isolation can be measured during normal activity within a time window of (e.g., 10-30) seconds.

If the isolation is range as determined at block902, monitoring continues. Otherwise, channel change occurs after triggering a “frequency sweep” in operation904over all allowed Wi-Fi channels at LB, HB and UHB measuring the isolation at each of the channels and choosing the best channel at operation906. A new sweep is avoided if not enough time has passed (e.g., holdoff_time>10 minutes).

The frequency sweep is a very short firmware procedure that lasts 300-400 msecs and should not interfere with user experience. Isolation is measured simply as written in Equation (1) for each of the allowed Wi-Fi channels, and the isolation desired range is a configurable parameter. In a rare scenario where no Wi-Fi channel meets the isolation target the KPIs cannot be guaranteed, and the sensing feature should be halted at operation908. A frequency sweep can be triggered when the user moves the lid angle which may change the isolation and move it outside of the desired range. In some conditions even changing the environment for example moving from a cubical area to a meeting room can also change the isolation and trigger a sweep.

Other Systems and Apparatuses

FIG.10illustrates a block diagram of a communication device1800such as an evolved Node-B (eNB), a new generation Node-B (gNB), an access point (AP), a wireless station (STA), a mobile station (MS), or a user equipment (UE), in accordance with some aspects. In alternative aspects, the communication device1800may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other communication devices. In some aspects, the communication device1800can use one or more of the techniques and circuits discussed herein, in connection with any ofFIG.1-FIG.9.

Circuitry (e.g., processing circuitry) is a collection of circuits implemented in tangible entities of the device1800that include hardware (e.g., simple circuits, gates, logic, etc.). Circuitry membership may be flexible over time. Circuitries include members that may, alone or in combination, perform specified operations when operating. In an example, hardware of the circuitry may be immutably designed to carry out a specific operation (e.g., hardwired). In an example, the hardware of the circuitry may include variably connected physical components (e.g., execution units, transistors, simple circuits, etc.) including a machine readable medium physically modified (e.g., magnetically, electrically, moveable placement of invariant massed particles, etc.) to encode instructions of the specific operation.

In connecting the physical components, the underlying electrical properties of a hardware constituent are changed, for example, from an insulator to a conductor or vice versa. The instructions enable embedded hardware (e.g., the execution units or a loading mechanism) to create members of the circuitry in hardware via the variable connections to carry out portions of the specific operation when in operation. Accordingly, in an example, the machine readable medium elements are part of the circuitry or are communicatively coupled to the other components of the circuitry when the device is operating. In an example, any of the physical components may be used in more than one member of more than one circuitry. For example, under operation, execution units may be used in a first circuit of a first circuitry at one point in time and reused by a second circuit in the first circuitry, or by a third circuit in a second circuitry at a different time. Additional examples of these components with respect to the device1800follow.

In some aspects, the device1800may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other devices. In a networked deployment, the communication device1800may operate in the capacity of a server communication device, a client communication device, or both in server-client network environments. In an example, the communication device1800may act as a peer communication device in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environment. The communication device1800may be a UE, eNB, PC, a tablet PC, a STB, a PDA, a mobile telephone, a smart phone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any communication device capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that communication device. Further, while only a single communication device is illustrated, the term “communication device” shall also be taken to include any collection of communication devices that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), other computer cluster configurations.

Communication device (e.g., UE)1800may include a hardware processor1802(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory1804, a static memory1806, and mass storage1816(e.g., hard drive, tape drive, flash storage, or other block or storage devices), some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus)1808.

The communication device1800may further include a display unit1810, an alphanumeric input device1812(e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device1814(e.g., a mouse). In an example, the display unit1810, input device1812and UI navigation device1814may be a touch screen display. The communication device1800may additionally include a signal generation device1818(e.g., a speaker), a network interface device1820, and one or more sensors1821, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, compass, accelerometer, or other sensor. The communication device1800may include an output controller1823, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, card reader, etc.).

The mass storage1816may include a communication device-readable medium1822, on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions1824(e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. In some aspects, registers of the processor1802, the main memory1804, the static memory1806, and/or the mass storage1816may be, or include (completely or at least partially), the device-readable medium1822, on which is stored the one or more sets of data structures or instructions1824, embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor1802, the main memory1804, the static memory1806, or the mass storage1816may constitute the device-readable medium1822.

As used herein, the term “device-readable medium” is interchangeable with “computer-readable medium” or “machine-readable medium.” While the communication device-readable medium1822is illustrated as a single medium, the term “communication device-readable medium” may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions1824.

The term “transmission medium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the communication device1800, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software. In this regard, a transmission medium in the context of this disclosure is a device-readable medium.

FIG.11illustrates a system level diagram, depicting an example of an electronic device (e.g., system) that can include, for example, a transmitter configured to selectively fan out a signal to one of multiple communication channels.FIG.11is included to show an example of a higher-level device application for the subject matter discussed above with regards toFIGS.1-10. In one aspect, system1900includes, but is not limited to, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a tablet, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server, a workstation, a cellular telephone, a mobile computing device, a smart phone, an Internet appliance, or any other type of computing device. In some aspects, system1900is a system on a chip (SOC) system.

In one aspect, processor1910has one or more processor cores1912,1912N, where1912N represents the Nth processor core inside processor1910where N is a positive integer. In one aspect, system1900includes multiple processors including1910and1905, where processor1905has logic similar or identical to the logic of processor1910. In some aspects, processing core1912includes, but is not limited to, pre-fetch logic to fetch instructions, decode logic to decode the instructions, execution logic to execute instructions and the like. In some aspects, processor1910has a cache memory1916to cache instructions and/or data for system1900. Cache memory1916may be organized into a hierarchal structure including one or more levels of cache memory.

In some aspects, processor1910includes a memory controller1914, which is operable to perform functions that enable the processor1910to access and communicate with memory1930that includes a volatile memory1932and/or a non-volatile memory1934. In some aspects, processor1910is coupled with memory1930and chipset1920. Processor1910may also be coupled to a wireless antenna1978to communicate with any device configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals. In one aspect, an interface for wireless antenna1978operates in accordance with, but is not limited to, the IEEE 802.11 standard and its related family, Home Plug AV (HPAV), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Bluetooth, WiMax, or any form of wireless communication protocol.

Memory1930stores information and instructions to be executed by processor1910. In one aspect, memory1930may also store temporary variables or other intermediate information while processor1910is executing instructions. In the illustrated aspect, chipset1920connects with processor1910via Point-to-Point (PtP or P-P) interfaces1917and1922. Chipset1920enables processor1910to connect to other elements in system1900. In some aspects of the example system, interfaces1917and1922operate in accordance with a PtP communication protocol such as the Intel® QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) or the like. In other aspects, a different interconnect may be used.

In some aspects, chipset1920is operable to communicate with processor1910,1905, display device1940, and other devices, including a bus bridge1972, a smart TV1976, I/O devices1974, nonvolatile memory1960, a storage medium (such as one or more mass storage devices)1962, a keyboard/mouse1964, a network interface1966, and various forms of consumer electronics1977(such as a PDA, smart phone, tablet etc.), etc. In one aspect, chipset1920couples with these devices through an interface1924. Chipset1920may also be coupled to a wireless antenna1978to communicate with any device configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals.

Chipset1920connects to display device1940via interface1926. Display device1940may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, cathode ray tube (CRT) display, or any other form of visual display device. In some aspects of the example system, processor1910and chipset1920are merged into a single SOC. In addition, chipset1920connects to one or more buses1950and1955that interconnect various system elements, such as I/O devices1974, nonvolatile memory1960, storage medium1962, a keyboard/mouse1964, and network interface1966. Buses1950and1955may be interconnected together via a bus bridge1972.

While the modules shown inFIG.11are depicted as separate blocks within the system1900, the functions performed by some of these blocks may be integrated within a single semiconductor circuit or may be implemented using two or more separate integrated circuits. For example, although cache memory1916is depicted as a separate block within processor1910, cache memory1916(or selected aspects of1916) can be incorporated into processor core1912.

References to “one aspect”, “an aspect”, “an example aspect,” “some aspects,” “demonstrative aspect”, “various aspects” etc., indicate that the aspect(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every aspect necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one aspect” does not necessarily refer to the same aspect, although it may.

Some aspects may, for example, be used in conjunction with devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 standards (including IEEE 802.11-2016 (IEEE 802.11-2016, IEEE Standard for Information technology—Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications, Dec. 7, 2016); IEEE 802.11ay (P802.11ay Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications and Information Exchange Between Systems Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—Specific Requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications—Amendment: Enhanced Throughput for Operation in License-Exempt Bands Above 45 GHZ)) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WiFi Alliance (WFA) Peer-to-Peer (P2P) specifications (including WiFi P2P technical specification, version 1.5, Aug. 4, 2015) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing Wireless-Gigabit-Alliance (WGA) specifications (including Wireless Gigabit Alliance, Inc WiGig MAC and PHY Specification Version 1.1, April 2011, Final specification) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing cellular specifications and/or protocols, e.g., 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices which are part of the above networks, and the like.

The term “communicating” as used herein with respect to a communication signal includes transmitting the communication signal and/or receiving the communication signal. For example, a communication unit, which is capable of communicating a communication signal, may include a transmitter to transmit the communication signal to at least one other communication unit, and/or a communication receiver to receive the communication signal from at least one other communication unit. The verb communicating may be used to refer to the action of transmitting and/or the action of receiving. In one example, the phrase “communicating a signal” may refer to the action of transmitting the signal by a first device and may not necessarily include the action of receiving the signal by a second device. In another example, the phrase “communicating a signal” may refer to the action of receiving the signal by a first device and may not necessarily include the action of transmitting the signal by a second device.

Some demonstrative aspects may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network communicating over a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz), e.g., 60 GHz. However, other aspects may be implemented utilizing any other suitable wireless communication frequency bands, for example, an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) band (the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency band), e.g., a frequency band within the frequency band of between 20 GHz and 300 GHz, a frequency band above 45 GHZ, a frequency band below 20 GHz, e.g., a Sub 1 GHz (SIG) band, a 2.4 GHz band, a 5 GHz band, a WLAN frequency band, a WPAN frequency band, a frequency band according to the WGA specification, and the like.

As used herein, the term “circuitry” may, for example, refer to, be part of, or include, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an integrated circuit, an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group), that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality. In some aspects, circuitry may include logic, at least partially operable in hardware. In some aspects, the circuitry may be implemented as part of and/or in the form of a radio virtual machine (RVM), for example, as part of a Radio processor (RP) configured to execute code to configured one or more operations and/or functionalities of one or more radio components.

Additional Notes and Aspects

Example 1 is an apparatus comprising: at least two antennas configured to communicate over a plurality of communication channels; and at least two antennas configured to communicate over a plurality of communication channels; and perform radar detection over the channel having highest isolation.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: responsive to detecting a reduction in isolation in the selected communication channel, resume measurement of isolation in the plurality of communication channels to select a different channel having highest isolation among the plurality of communication channels.

In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 can optionally include wherein the processing circuitry is configured to refrain from resuming measurement if the reduction is within a threshold.

In Example 4, wherein the subject matter of Example 2 can optionally include wherein the processing circuitry is configured to refrain from resuming measurement if a time duration since previous measurement is below a threshold.

In Example 5, the subject matter of Example 2 can optionally include wherein the processing circuitry is configured to terminate the resumption of measurement if a channel is found having an isolation value above a threshold.

In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 5 can optionally include wherein the processing circuitry is configured to terminate the resumption of measurement if a channel is found having an isolation value above that of the originally-selected communication channel.

In Example 7, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-6 can optionally include wherein the radar detection includes proximity sensing.

In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 7 can optionally include wherein the apparatus is included in a laptop device.

In Example 9, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-8 can optionally include wherein the plurality of communication channels includes WiFi channels in at least two of a low band, high band, and ultra high band frequency of operation.

Example 10 is a computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed on processing circuitry of a device, cause processing circuitry to perform operations including: measure isolation in a plurality of communication channels of the device, while the plurality of communication channels are operating in a radar mode, to select a communication channel having highest isolation among the plurality of communication channels; and perform radar detection over the channel having highest isolation.

In Example 11, the subject matter of Example 10 can optionally include responsive to detecting a reduction in isolation in the selected communication channel, resume measurement of isolation in the plurality of communication channels to select a different channel having highest isolation among the plurality of communication channels.

In Example 12, the subject matter of Example 11 can optionally include wherein the operations include refraining from resuming measurement if the reduction is within a threshold.

In Example 13, the subject matter of Example 11 can optionally include wherein the operations include refraining from resuming measurement if a time duration since previous measurement is below a threshold.

In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 11 can optionally include wherein the operations include terminating the resumption of measurement if a channel is found having an isolation value above a threshold.

In Example 15, the subject matter of Example 14 can optionally include wherein the operations include terminating the resumption of measurement if a channel is found having an isolation value above that of the originally-selected communication channel.

In Example 16, the subject matter of any of claims1-15can optionally include wherein the plurality of communication channels includes WiFi channels in at least two of a low band, high band, and ultra high band frequency of operation.

Example 17 is a device comprising a display screen; at least two antennas configured to communicate over a plurality of communication channels; and processing circuitry coupled to the at least two antennas and configured to measure isolation in the plurality of communication channels while the plurality of communication channels are operating in a radar mode to select a channel having highest isolation among the plurality of communication channels; and perform radar detection over the channel having highest isolation.

In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 17 can optionally include wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: responsive to detecting a reduction in isolation in the selected channel, resume measurement of isolation in the plurality of communication channels to select a different channel having highest isolation among the plurality of communication channels.

In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 18 can optionally include wherein the processing circuitry is configured to refrain from resuming measurement if the reduction is within a threshold.

In Example 20, the subject matter of nay of Examples 17-19 can optionally include wherein the device comprises a laptop and the processing circuitry is configured to remove power from the display screen upon detecting no user proximity for a time threshold.