Method, system, and apparatus for coexistence of plurality of communication technologies in communication device

A method and system for enabling coexistence of a plurality of communication technologies in a communication device is provided. The method includes determining a time offset between a first communication event of a first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies and a second communication event of a second communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. The method further includes altering a first communication state of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology to a second communication state based on one or more of the time offset and a plurality of parameters of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology.

This application claims the benefit of Indian Provisional Application No. 283/CHE/2008, filed on Feb. 1, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to wireless communication networks and more specifically to providing method and system for enabling coexistence of a plurality of communication technologies on a communication device.

Wireless communication cover various types of services like radio frequency communication, microwave communication and short range communication. Over the years, wireless communication devices have evolved from simple devices like cellular phones and pagers to multi-radio devices having greater communication capabilities. A multi-radio device supports a plurality of communication technologies.

However, simultaneous use of a plurality of radios associated with the plurality of communication technologies by a multi-radio device causes performance problems, for example, interference. This interference is caused in the multi-radio device when each of the plurality of radios operate in adjacent/overlapping frequency bands/channels. As a result of this interference, a transceiver of the co-located transceivers in the multi-radio device fail to distinguish between, a desired signal meant for its own processing and an undesired signal meant for processing by a co-located transceiver. Consequently, such interference causes degradation of quality of service, for example, poor quality of voice, errors in data sent/received, and complete loss of a communication link.

Some of the existing technologies use RF filters to reduce the effects of this interference. However, the selectivity of such RF filters is generally poor. Moreover, the cost involved in manufacturing a high selectivity RF filter is very high.

There is therefore a need for method and system that mitigates interference on a communication device that supports a plurality of communication technologies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a method and apparatus for coexistence of plurality of communication technologies in communication device.

Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for enabling coexistence of a plurality of communication technologies in a communication device. The plurality of communication technologies include one or more of a Bluetooth, a Worldwide Interoperability Microwave Access (WiMAX), a Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN), and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). The method includes determining a time offset between a first communication event of a first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies and a second communication event of a second communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. The method further includes altering a first communication state of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology to a second communication state based on one or more of the time offset and a plurality of parameters of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology.

In an embodiment, the method includes determining one or more of a DownLink (DL) information and an UpLink (UL) information of a first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. The method further includes setting a time offset between a first communication event of the first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies and a second communication event of a second communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies based on one or more of the DL information, the UL information, and a plurality of parameters.

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing an environment100(that is exemplary) in which various embodiments of the invention may function. Environment100includes a communication device102. Examples of communication device102may include, but are not limited to a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a laptop, a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), and a personal computer. Communication device102includes a processor104and one or more communication modems (for example, a communication modem106, a communication modem108, and a communication modem110). Processor104is operatively coupled to the one or more communication modems. Further, each of the one or more communication modems uses different communication technologies. Examples of the communication technologies may include, but are not limited to a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), a Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN), a Bluetooth, and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). For example, communication modem106may be a WiMAX modem that operates in Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum of 2.3 GHz-2.4 GHz, 2.5 GHz-2.7 GHz, and 3.3 GHz-3.8 GHz, communication modem108may be a Bluetooth modem that operates in a RF spectrum of 2.4 GHz, and communication modem110may be a WLAN modem that operates in a RF spectrum of 2.4 GHz-2.5 GHz and 5 GHz.

Each of the one or more communication modems are also connected with each other through one or more connections and exchange information over the one or more connections. Examples of the information may include but are not limited to, a priority of current or planned operations, a state of current or planned operations, a duration of current or planned operations, a DL sub-frame timing, an UL sub-frame timing, a beacon period timing, a request for operation, a grant for operation, a modem activity indication, an enhanced Synchronous Connection Oriented (eSCO) reserved slot timing indication, a eSCO retransmission slot timing indication, an enhanced SCO retransmission Window (WeSCO) interval timing indication, an enhanced Synchronous Connection Oriented periodicity (TeSCO) interval timing indication, a Synchronous Connection Oriented (SCO) slots timing indication, a Synchronous Connection Oriented periodicity (TSCO) interval timing indication, a Transmission (Tx) slot timing indication, a Reception (Rx) slot timing indication.

Each of the one or more communication modems includes one or more transceivers. For example, communication modem106includes a transceiver112, communication modem108includes a transceiver114, and communication modem110includes a transceiver116. Further, each of the one or more transceivers includes one or more antennas. For example, transceiver112includes an antenna118, transceiver114includes an antenna120, and transceiver116includes an antenna122. The one or more communication modems communicate with one or more access points using the one or more antennas of the one or more transceivers. For example, communication modem106communicates with an access point124using antenna118, communication modem108communicates with an access point126using antenna120, and communication modem110communicates with an access point128using antenna122. An access point of the one or more access points may be one of a WiMAX Base Station (BS), a WLAN access point, and a Bluetooth peer based on a communication technology used by a communication modem of the one or more communication modems communicating with the access point.

FIG. 2is a flowchart of a method for coexistence of a plurality of communication technologies in a communication device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Examples of the plurality of communication technologies may include, but are not limited to a WiMAX, a WMAN, a WLAN, and a Bluetooth. At step202, a time offset is determined between a first communication event and a second communication event in the communication device. The time offset is determined periodically. The first communication event is of a first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. Similarly, the second communication event is of a second communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. The first communication event may be one of a DL sub-frame and an UL sub-frame, if the first communication technology is WiMAX. Additionally, the second communication event may be one of a SCO slot, an eSCO reserved slot, an eSCO retransmission slot, an eSCO slot pair, a SCO slot pair, a WeSCO interval, a TeSCO interval, and a TSCO interval, if the second communication technology is Bluetooth. In this case, the time offset is computed between a WiMAX communication event and a Bluetooth communication event. For example, the time offset may be determined between a DL sub-frame and an eSCO reserved slot.

The time offset is determined between one of beginning and end of the first communication event and one of beginning and end of the second communication event. For example, time offset is determined between beginning of a DL sub-frame (a WiMAX communication event) and beginning of an eSCO reserved slot (a Bluetooth communication event).

The time offset is determined based on one or more signals of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology. For example, time offset between a WiMAX communication event and a Bluetooth communication event is determined based on a timing signal, such as, a BT_PRIORITY signal and a BT_STATE signal, a WiMAX DL sub-frame timing signal, and a WiMAX UL sub-frame timing signal. Alternatively, the time offset may be determined based on a plurality of parameters. Examples of a parameter may include, but are not limited to a TSCO interval, a TeSCO interval, duration of a DL sub-frame, duration of an UL sub-frame, a WeSCO interval, and a bandwidth. This is further explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 3. One or more parameters of the plurality of parameters is determined based on one or more signals of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology. The plurality of parameters may be determined periodically. Alternatively, one or more parameter of the plurality of parameters may be predefined. The one or more parameter may be communicated between the first communication technology and the second communication technology in one or more messages.

After the time offset is determined, a first communication state of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology is altered to a second communication state at step204. The first communication state is altered based on one or more of the time offset and the plurality of parameters. The first communication state is altered periodically. The second communication state may be retrieved from a database based on one or more of the time offset and the plurality of parameters. Alternatively, the second communication state may be determined at run-time. This is further explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 3. The second communication state is a sequence of one or more of an availability period and an unavailability period. The availability period of a communication technology is the period used by the communication technology for transmission or reception over its air interface. The availability period may be a listening window and the unavailability period may be a sleep window, if one of the first communication technology and the second communication technology is WiMAX. For example, based on the time offset between a WiMAX communication event and a Bluetooth communication event, the communication state of WiMAX is altered to an alternating sequence of sleep window of two frames and listening window of one frame. This is further explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 6. As a result of altering the first communication state, one or more availability periods of the first communication technology and the second communication technology do not interfere.

The above mentioned method enables coexistence of the plurality of communication technologies on the communication device. The method minimizes interference between the plurality of communication technologies. Moreover, the method may be implemented without the need to change the actual architecture of one or more of the plurality of communication technologies. Additionally, the method solves the problem created due to clock-drift in the plurality of communication technologies by periodically determining the time offset.

FIG. 3is a flowchart for a method for coexistence of a plurality of communication technologies in a communication device, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. At step302, a time offset is determined between a first communication event and a second communication event in the communication device. The first communication event is of a first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. Similarly, the second communication event is of a second communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. This has been explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 2.

Thereafter at step304, a second communication state is retrieved from a database based on one or more of the time offset and a plurality of parameters. The database may be located in the communication device. Alternatively, the database may be located in any other network entity. Examples of the network entity may include, but are not limited to a WiMAX BS, a WLAN access point, and a Bluetooth peer. The database may include one or more communication states corresponding to one or more of a time offset and a plurality of parameters. Examples of a parameter may include, but are not limited to a TSCO interval, a TeSCO interval, duration of a DL sub-frame, duration of an UL sub-frame, a WeSCO interval, and a bandwidth. For example, time offset of 4.375 ms is determined between beginning of a DL sub-frame (a WiMAX communication event), and beginning of an eSCO reserved slot (a Bluetooth communication event) using one or more of a DL sub-frame timing signal, a BT_PRIORITY signal, and an eSCO slot timing signal. Thereafter, the values of the time offset and the plurality of parameters are used to retrieve a communication state for WiMAX from a database. The communication state of WiMAX that correspond to the values in the database may be an alternating sequence of sleep window of two frames and listening window of one frame. This is further explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 6.

At step306, the communication device sends one or more communication messages to a BS after retrieving the second communication state from the database. The one or more communication messages are sent to alter a first communication state of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology to the second communication state retrieved from the database. A communication message of the one or more communication messages may include information for one or more of a listening window, a sleep window, and a start frame number, if one of the first communication technology and the second communication technology is WiMAX. The information for the listening window and the sleep window may be the size of the listening window and the size of the sleep window. The first communication state may be altered at the beginning of a frame, which has its frame number equal to the start frame number. Referring to the above example, the communication device sends a communication message that indicates size of listening window as one frame and size of sleep window as two frames to the BS.

At step308, the first communication state of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology is altered to the second communication state based on the one or more communication messages sent to the BS. The first communication state is altered after the BS acknowledges the second communication state. The first communication state is altered based on one or more of the time offset and the plurality of parameters of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology. This has been explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 2.

FIG. 4is a block diagram showing an apparatus400for enabling coexistence of a plurality of communication technologies, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Apparatus400supports the plurality of communication technologies. Apparatus400may be a communication device. Examples of the communication device may include, but are not limited to a PDA, a mobile radio, a mobile telephone, a CPE, and a mobile computer. Apparatus400communicates with a BS for transmitting and receiving communication information. This has been explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 2.

Apparatus400includes a processor402. Examples of processor402may include, but are not limited to a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a controller, and a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). Processor402determines a time offset between a first communication event and a second communication event. The first communication event is of a first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. Similarly, the second communication event is of the second communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies.

Based on the time offset, processor402alters a first communication state of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology to a second communication state. The first communication state is altered based on one or more of the time offset and a plurality of parameters of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology. This has been explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 2.

To alter the first communication state, processor402retrieves the second communication state from a database based on one or more of the time offset and the plurality of parameters. This has been explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 3. Alternatively, processor402may send one or more communication messages to the BS to alter the first communication state of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology. In response to receiving the communication message, the BS alters the first communication state of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology to the second communication state. The one or more communication messages include information of one or more of a listening window, a sleep window, and a start frame number, if one of the first communication technology and the second communication technology is WiMAX. The first communication state may be altered at the beginning of a frame, which has its frame number equal to the start frame number.

FIG. 5is a block diagram showing a system500for enabling coexistence of a plurality of communication technologies, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. System500includes a communication device502and a BS504operatively coupled with communication device502. Examples of communication device502may include, but are not limited to a PDA, a mobile radio, a mobile telephone, a CPE, and a mobile computer.

Communication device502determines a time offset between a first communication event and a second communication event. The first communication event is of a first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. Similarly, the second communication event is of the second communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. Thereafter, communication device502sends information of the time offset to BS504.

Based on the time offset, BS504alters a first communication state of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology to a second communication state. The first communication state is altered based on one or more of the time offset and a plurality of parameters of one or more of the first communication technology and the second communication technology. This has been explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 2. To alter the first communication state, BS504retrieves the second communication state from a database based on one or more of the time offset and the plurality of parameters. This has been explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 3.

FIG. 6illustrates a timing diagram600showing coexistence of Bluetooth and WiMAX in a communication device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. A Bluetooth slot timing structure602illustrates 24 slots used by Bluetooth for communication. Each of these 24 slots is 0.625 ms long. These 24 slots include 12 reception slots and 12 transmission slots. These 12 reception slots include a slot604, a slot606, a slot608, a slot610, a slot612, a slot614, a slot616, a slot618, a slot620, a slot622, a slot624, and a slot626. Similarly, the 12 transmission slots include a slot628, a slot630, a slot632, a slot634, a slot636, a slot638, a slot640, a slot642, a slot644, a slot646, a slot648, and a slot650.

The TeSCO interval for Bluetooth slot timing structure602includes 12 slots and WeSCO interval for Bluetooth slot timing structure602is zero. Therefore, Bluetooth slot timing structure602includes two TeSCO intervals. For every 12 contiguous slots, each TeSCO interval includes two contiguous slots for transmission and reception. Two contiguous slots form an eSCO slot pair. eSCO slot pairs in Bluetooth slot timing structure602are illustrated in a Bluetooth eSCO slot timing structure652. As shown, in Bluetooth eSCO slot timing structure652, slot634and slot612form a first eSCO slot pair and slot646and slot624form a second eSCO slot pair. Each of the first eSCO slot pair and the second eSCO slot pair form a Bluetooth communication event. The sequence of Bluetooth slot timing structure602repeats periodically with a period of 24 Bluetooth slots. Similarly, the sequence of Bluetooth eSCO slot timing structure652repeats periodically with period of 24 Bluetooth slots.FIG. 6illustrates a set of 24 Bluetooth slots.

Similarly, a WiMAX frame timing structure654, which is a first communication state, illustrates three contiguous frames of WiMAX: a frame656, a frame658, and a frame660. Each of the three frames includes an UL sub-frame for communicating UL information and a DL sub-frame for communicating DL information. The duration for a DL sub-frame is approximately 3.5 ms and for an UL sub-frame is approximately 1.2 ms. In WiMAX frame timing structure654, frame656includes a DL sub-frame662(DL1) and an UL sub-frame664(UL1), frame658includes a DL sub-frame666(DL2) and an UL sub-frame668(UL2), and frame660includes a DL sub-frame670(DL3) and an UL sub-frame672(UL3). The sequence of WiMAX frame timing structure654repeats periodically with a period of three WiMAX frames.FIG. 6illustrates a set of three WiMAX frames. The period of three WiMAX frames is same as the period of 24 Bluetooth slots. Moreover, relative time offset between WiMAX frame timing structure654and Bluetooth eSCO slot timing structure652remains same in every repeating period.

DL sub-frame662and UL sub-frame668forms a relevant pair of sub-frames since DL sub-frame662carries burst allocation information for allocations in sub-frame668. WiMAX has to receive DL sub-frame662to use UL sub-frame668. Similarly, DL sub-frame666and UL sub-frame672form a relevant pair of sub-frames and DL sub-frame670and UL sub-frame664form a relevant pair of sub-frames.

WiMAX uses a sleep mode supporting co-located co-existence with MAP relevance for co-located coexistence Power Saving Class (PSC) bit set to one, sleep window set to two frames, and listening window set to one frame. In WiMAX frame timing structure654, frame658is part of a listening window and frame660and frame656are part of a sleep window. Additionally, in WiMAX frame timing structure654, the relative start frame number of a first frame (i.e. frame660) in the sleep window is two, as the beginning of the sleep window is after two frames (i.e., frame656and658). The start frame number is frame number of frame656plus relative start frame number plus non negative integer multiple of sum of the sleep window and the listening window. For example, if frame number of frame656is700, then start frame number may be any of701,704,707,710, and713.

In the sleep mode supporting co-located co-existence with MAP relevance for co-located coexistence PSC bit set to one, for communication, WiMAX uses all DL sub-frames in a listen window and does not use a DL sub-frame in a sleep window. Moreover in such case, WiMAX uses a first UL sub-frame of a first frame of a sleep window and does not use any other UL sub-frame in the sleep window. Also, WiMAX does not use a first UL sub-frame of a first frame of a listen window and uses all other UL sub-frames of the listen window for its communication. Therefore, in WiMAX frame timing structure654, the communication device uses DL sub-frame666and UL sub-frame672for communication. The communication device does not use UL sub-frame664, DL sub-frame662, DL sub-frame670, and UL sub-frame668for its communication. Each of DL sub-frame666, DL sub-frame670, and DL sub-frame662form a WiMAX communication event.

Based on the information about Bluetooth eSCO slot timing structure652and WiMAX frame timing structure654, processor402determines a time offset between beginning of DL sub-frame662and beginning of slot634. The time offset is determined as 4.375 ms.

Thereafter, based on the time offset of 4.375 ms, the TeSCO interval of 12, the WeSCO interval of zero, duration of DL sub-frame of 3.5 ms, duration of UL sub-frame of 1.2 ms, and WiMAX bandwidth of 10 MHz, processor402finds out that slot634and slot612interfere with UL sub-frame664and DL sub-frame666and slot646and slot624interfere with DL sub-frame670. To avoid this interference, processor402sends a communication message to a BS to alter communication state of WiMAX frame timing structure654. For this, processor402suggests the BS to alter the first communication state to a second communication state, which is a sequence of a sleep window of two frames, i.e., frame658and frame660and a listening window of one frame, i.e., frame656. The relative start frame number for the sequence is one, as the beginning of first frame (i.e., frame658) of the sleep window is after one frame (i.e., frame656). This is depicted in a Bluetooth-WiMAX time sharing structure674. Therefore, in Bluetooth-WiMAX time sharing structure674, slot634, slot612, slot646, and slot624are used for Bluetooth communication and DL sub-frame662and UL sub-frame668are used for WiMAX communication. Processor402finds the time offset periodically.

FIG. 7is a flowchart of a method of coexistence of a plurality of communication technologies in a communication device, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The plurality of communication technologies have synchronized clocks. Examples of the plurality of communication technologies may include, but are not limited to a WiMAX, a WMAN, a WLAN, and a Bluetooth. At step702, one or more of DL information, and UL information of a first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies is determined. If the first communication technology is WiMAX, the DL information may be duration of a DL sub-frame and the UL information may be duration of an UL sub-frame.

Based on one or more of the DL information, the UL information, and a plurality of parameters, a time offset is set between a first communication event of the first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies and a second communication event of a second communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies at step704. Examples of a parameter may include, but are not limited to a TSCO interval, a TeSCO interval, duration of a DL sub-frame, duration of an UL sub-frame, a WeSCO interval, and a bandwidth. The first communication event may be one of a DL sub-frame and an UL sub-frame, if the first communication technology is WiMAX. Additionally, the second communication event may be one of, a transmission slot, a reception slot, if the second communication technology is Bluetooth. The time offset may be retrieved from a database based on one or more of the DL information, the UL information, and the plurality of parameters. This is further explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 8.

Thereafter, the time offset may be set between one of beginning and end of the first communication event and one of beginning and end of the second communication event. For example, the time offset may be set between beginning of a DL sub-frame of WiMAX and end of a TeSCO interval of Bluetooth. Alternatively, the time offset may be set between end of a DL sub-frame and beginning of a transmission slot. For example, if duration of a DL sub-frame is greater than or equal 3.302 ms, the time offset retrieved from the database may be 0.450 ms. In this case, the time offset of 0.450 ms is set between start of a DL sub-frame and start of a Bluetooth transmission slot. However, if duration of a DL sub-frame is less than 3.302 ms, the time offset retrieved from the database may be 0.010 ms. In this case, the time offset of 0.010 ms is set between end of a DL sub-frame and start of a Bluetooth transmission slot. As a result, interference between at least one of the SCO slot pair and one or more of a DL sub-frame and an UL sub-frame used for transmission or reception is minimized. This is further explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 8.

FIG. 8is a flow chart of a method of coexistence of a plurality of communication technologies in a communication device, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The plurality of communication technologies have synchronized clocks. At step802, one or more of DL information and UL information of a first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies is determined. This has been explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 7.

Based on one or more of the DL information, the UL information, and a plurality of parameters, one or more of a time offset, a first communication event, and a second communication event is retrieved from a database at step804. The time offset is between the first communication event of the first communication technology and the second communication event of a second communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. The first communication event may be one of a DL sub-frame and an UL sub-frame. Additionally, the second communication event may be one of a transmission slot and a reception slot, if the second communication technology is Bluetooth. Examples of a parameter may include, but are not limited to a TSCO interval, a TeSCO interval, duration of a DL sub-frame, duration of an UL sub-frame, a WeSCO interval, and a bandwidth. This is has been explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 7

The database may be located in the communication device. Alternatively, the database may be located in any other network entity. Examples of the network entity may include, but are not limited to a BS and a gateway. The database may include one or more time offsets corresponding to values of one or more of the DL information, the UL information, and the plurality of parameters. For example, for WiMAX, duration of a DL sub-frame is determined as 2.9 ms and duration of an UL sub-frame is determined as 1.8 ms. Based on duration of the DL sub-frame of 2.9 ms, duration of the UL sub-frame of 1.8 ms, and a TSCO interval that includes six slots, a time offset between beginning of a DL sub-frame of WiMAX and a transmission slot of Bluetooth is retrieved from the database. The time offset representing the values in the database may be equal to 0.625 ms.

Thereafter at step806, the time offset is set between the first communication event and the second communication event. The time offset is set based on one or more of the DL information, the UL information, and the plurality of parameters. This has been explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 7.

FIG. 9is a block diagram showing an apparatus900for enabling coexistence of a plurality of communication technologies in a communication device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The plurality of communication technologies have synchronized clocks. Apparatus900supports the plurality of communication technologies. Apparatus900may be a communication device. Examples of the communication device may include, but are not limited to a PDA, a mobile radio, a mobile telephone, and a mobile computer. This has been explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 2.

Apparatus900includes a first processor902and a second processor904operatively coupled with first processor902. Examples of first processor902and second processor904may include, but are not limited to a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a controller, and a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). First processor902determines one or more of DL information and UL information of a first communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies.

Second processor904may retrieve one or more of a time offset, a first communication event, and a second communication event from a database based on one or more of the DL information, the UL information, and a plurality of parameters. Based on one or more of the DL information, the UL information, and the plurality of parameters, second processor904sets a time offset between the first communication event of the first communication technology and the second communication event of a second communication technology of the plurality of communication technologies. This has been explained in detail in conjunction withFIG. 7.

FIG. 10illustrates a timing diagram1000showing coexistence of Bluetooth and WiMAX in a communication device, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention. Clocks of Bluetooth and WiMAX are synchronized so that clocks do not drift independently. Clock of Bluetooth (CLK) is set to native clock of Bluetooth (CLKN). The communication device is master of the Bluetooth link. A Bluetooth slot timing structure1002illustrates 24 slots used by Bluetooth for communication. Each of these 24 slots has a duration of 0.625 ms. These 24 slots include 12 reception slots and 12 transmission slots. These 12 reception slots include a slot1004, a slot1006, a slot1008, a slot1010, a slot1012, a slot1014, a slot1016, a slot1018, a slot1020, a slot1022, a slot1024, and a slot1026. Similarly, the 12 transmission slots include a slot1028, a slot1030, a slot1032, a slot1034, a slot1036, a slot1038, a slot1040, a slot1042, a slot1044, a slot1046, a slot1048, and a slot1050.

A TSCO interval for Bluetooth slot timing structure1002includes six slots. Therefore, Bluetooth slot timing structure1002includes four TSCO intervals. For every six contiguous slots, each TSCO interval includes two contiguous slots for transmission and reception assigned to the communication device. These two contiguous slots form a SCO slot pair. SCO slot pairs in Bluetooth slot timing structure1002are illustrated in a Bluetooth SCO slot timing structure1052. As shown, in Bluetooth SCO slot timing structure1052, slot1028and slot1004form a first SCO slot pair, slot1034and slot1010form a second SCO slot pair, slot1040and slot1016form a third SCO slot pair, and slot1046and slot1022form a fourth SCO slot pair. Bluetooth transmission slots and Bluetooth reception slots are communication events of Bluetooth. The sequence of Bluetooth slot timing structure1002repeats periodically with a period of 24 Bluetooth slots. Similarly, the sequence of Bluetooth SCO slot timing structure1052repeats periodically with period of 24 Bluetooth slots.FIG. 10illustrates a set of 24 Bluetooth slots.

Similarly, a WiMAX frame timing structure1054illustrates three contiguous frames of WiMAX: a frame1056, a frame1058, and a frame1060. Each of the three frames includes an UL sub-frame for communicating UL information and a DL sub-frame for communicating DL information. The duration for a DL sub-frame is 2.9 ms and the duration for an UL sub-frame is 1.8 ms. Additionally, the bandwidth for WiMAX is 10 MHz. In WiMAX frame timing structure1054, frame1056includes a DL sub-frame1062(DL1) and an UL sub-frame1064(UL1), frame1058includes a DL sub-frame1066(DL2) and an UL sub-frame1068(UL2), and frame1060includes a DL sub-frame1070(DL3) and an UL sub-frame1072(UL3). The sequence of WiMAX frame timing structure1054repeats periodically with a period of three WiMAX frames.FIG. 10illustrates a set of three WiMAX frames. The period of three WiMAX frames is same as the period of 24 Bluetooth slots. Moreover, relative time offset between WiMAX frame timing structure1054and Bluetooth SCO slot timing structure1052remains same in every repeating period.

DL sub-frame1062and UL sub-frame1068forms a relevant pair of sub-frames since DL sub-frame1062carries burst allocation information for allocations in UL sub-frame1068. WiMAX has to receive DL sub-frame1062to use UL sub-frame1068. Similarly, DL sub-frame1066and UL sub-frame1072form a relevant pair of sub-frames and DL sub-frame1070and UL sub-frame1064form a relevant pair of sub-frames.

WiMAX uses a sleep mode supporting co-located co-existence with MAP relevance for co-located coexistence Power Saving Class (PSC) bit set to one, sleep window set to two frames, and listening window set to one frame. In WiMAX frame timing structure1054, frame1056is part of a listening window and frame1058and frame1060are part of a sleep window. Additionally, in WiMAX frame timing structure1054, the relative start frame number of a first frame (i.e. frame1058) in the sleep window is one, as the beginning of the sleep window is after one frame (i.e., frame1056). The start frame number is frame number of frame1058plus relative start frame number plus non negative integer multiple of sum of the sleep window and the listening window.

In the sleep mode supporting co-located co-existence with MAP relevance for co-located coexistence PSC bit set to one, for communication, WiMAX uses all DL sub-frames in a listen window and does not use a DL sub-frame in a sleep window. Moreover in such case, WiMAX uses a first UL sub-frame of a first frame of a sleep window and does not use any other UL sub-frame in the sleep window. Also, WiMAX does not use a first UL sub-frame of a first frame of a listen window and uses all other UL sub-frames of the listen window for its communication. Therefore, in WiMAX frame timing structure1054, the communication device uses DL sub-frame1062and UL sub-frame1068for communication. The communication device does not use UL sub-frame1064, DL sub-frame1066, DL sub-frame1070, and UL sub-frame1072for its communication. Each of DL sub-frame1062, DL sub-frame1066, and DL sub-frame1070form a WiMAX communication event.

Further, clocks of Bluetooth and WiMAX are synchronized and the offset between beginning of slot1028of Bluetooth SCO slot timing structure1052and beginning of DL sub-frame1062, which is the first frame of WiMAX frame timing structure1054can be any value depending on the CLKN. It is taken as zero in this exemplary embodiment as depicted in Bluetooth SCO slot timing structure1052and WiMAX frame timing structure1054. With zero offset between Bluetooth SCO slot timing structure1052and WiMAX frame timing structure1054, there is no relevant pair of sub-frames in WiMAX frame timing structure1054that is not interfered by one or more SCO slot pairs of Bluetooth SCO slot timing structure1052.

First processor902determines information about duration of DL sub-frames, i.e., DL sub-frame1062, DL sub-frame1066, and DL sub-frame1070and UL sub-frames, i.e., UL sub-frame1064, UL sub-frame1068, and UL sub-frame1072used in WiMAX frame timing structure1054. First processor902also determines information about start time and end time of DL sub-frames, i.e., DL sub-frame1062, DL sub-frame1066, and DL sub-frame1070and start time and end time of UL sub-frames, i.e., UL sub-frame1064, UL sub-frame1068, and UL sub-frame1072used in WiMAX frame timing structure1054. The duration of DL sub-frame of 2.9 ms, the duration of UL sub-frame of 1.8 ms, WiMAX bandwidth of 10 MHz, start and end of the DL sub-frames and the UL sub-frames is communicated to second processor904. Thereafter, based on the information, second processor904calculates a time offset between Bluetooth SCO slot timing structure1052and WiMAX frame timing structure1054. Alternatively, second processor904may retrieve the time offset from a database based on the duration of DL sub-frame of 2.9 ms, the duration of UL sub-frame of 1.8 ms, and WiMAX bandwidth of 10 MHz. Based on the duration of DL sub-frames of 2.9 ms which is smaller than 3.302 ms, second processor904may retrieve a time offset of 0.010 ms. Thereafter, second processor904sets the time offset of 0.010 ms between the end of DL sub-frame1062and the beginning of slot1034, as depicted in a Bluetooth SCO slot timing offset structure1074. The time offset is set between slot1034and DL sub-frame1062, as they are the nearest communication events across Bluetooth and WiMAX. Thereafter, the time offset of 0.010 ms is set by adding an offset to CLKN.

Therefore, Bluetooth SCO slot timing offset structure1074begins with slot1004instead of beginning with slot1028. As a result of this, DL sub-frame1062interferes only with slot1004, but since this is the case of simultaneous reception in WiMAX and Bluetooth, the interference is absent. Moreover, UL sub-frame1068does not interfere with any Bluetooth slot. Therefore, as shown in a Bluetooth-WiMAX sharing time structure1078, slot1004, slot1034, slot1010, slot1040, slot1016, slot1046, slot1022, and slot1028are used for Bluetooth communication. Subsequently, a relevant pair of sub-frames, i.e., DL sub-frame1062and UL sub-frame1068is used for WiMAX communication. The whole structure ofFIG. 10repeats after every 24 Bluetooth slots or three WiMAX frames. Since clocks of WiMAX and Bluetooth are synchronized the relative time offset between WiMAX frame and Bluetooth slots remains same once it is set to any value.

Various embodiments of the invention provide system and method for enabling coexistence between a plurality of communication technologies on a communication device. The method minimizes interference between the plurality of communication technologies. Moreover, in one of the embodiments the method may be implemented without the need to change the actual architecture of the plurality of communication technologies. Further, in one of the embodiments the method and system reduces the implementation cost as the plurality of communication technologies share various components of the communication device.