PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10128902-B1
Application Number: US-201715698766-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Device, system, and method for coexistence based frequency hopping

Abstract:
Devices, systems, and methods utilize coexistence-based frequency hopping. Methods are performed at a user equipment including an antenna arrangement comprising a first plurality of antennas configured for use with a first connection and a second plurality of antennas configured for use with a second connection. The methods include determining, for each of a plurality of combinations of one of the first antennas and one of the second antennas, an individual expected interference limiting a number of usable channels for the first connection. The methods include determining a combined expected interference based at least in part on at least one of the individual expected interferences. The methods also include selecting, based at least in part on the combined expected interference, an operational antenna of the first plurality of antennas for communication associated with the first connection.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 at a user equipment including an antenna arrangement comprising a first plurality of antennas configured for use with a first connection and a second plurality of antennas configured for use with a second connection: 
 determining, for each of a plurality of combinations of one of the first antennas and one of the second antennas, an individual expected interference limiting a number of usable channels for the first connection; 
 determining a combined expected interference based at least in part on at least one of the individual expected interferences; and 
 selecting, based at least in part on the combined expected interference, an operational antenna of the first plurality of antennas for communication associated with the first connection. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the individual expected interferences are defined in respective individual adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) maps, and wherein the combined expected interference is defined in an aggregate AFH map. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the individual AFH maps are predetermined and are generated using results from a controlled environment test. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user equipment is further configured to establish a third connection, the third connection having an exterior interference with respect to the first connection, and wherein the determining the combined expected interference is further based on the exterior interference. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the third connection comprises a WiFi connection. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the exterior interference has a priority over the individual expected interferences. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 excluding a first individual expected interference from the determination of the combined expected interference when the number of usable channels for the first connection associated with the first individual expected interference is below a threshold. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first individual expected interference defines a condition for the selecting the one of the first plurality of antennas for the first connection. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the selecting the one of the first plurality of antennas for the first connection is a forced selection when the condition is present. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the selecting the one of the first plurality of antennas for the first connection is an optional selection in which any of the first plurality of antennas is capable of being selected when the condition is absent. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that each of the individual expected interferences result in the available number of total channels for the first connection being less than a predetermined threshold, 
 wherein the combined expected interference omits each of the individual expected interferences. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the selecting the one of the first plurality of antennas for the first connection is a deferred selection to a default antenna. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that the individual expected interference for each of the plurality of combinations results in the number of usable channels for the first connection satisfying a predetermined threshold. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the selecting the one of the first plurality of antennas for the first connection comprises an optional selection in which any of the first plurality of antennas is capable of being selected. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving policy information defining at least one of the usable channels that is available for a selected one of the combinations based on a selected channel of the second connection, 
 wherein the determining the combined expected interference is further based on the policy information. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection comprises a short-range communication connection and wherein the second connection comprises a cellular connection. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the short-range communication connection comprises a Bluetooth connection. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a shared antenna is included in each of the first plurality of antennas and the second plurality of antennas. 
     
     
       19. A user equipment, comprising:
 a transceiver configured to establish a first connection and a second connection; 
 an antenna arrangement comprising a first plurality of antennas configured for use with a first connection and a second plurality of antennas configured for use with a second connection; and 
 a processor determining, for each of a plurality of combinations of one of the first antennas and one of the second antennas, an individual expected interference limiting a number of usable channels for the first connection, the processor determining a combined expected interference based at least in part on at least one of the individual expected interferences, the processor selecting, based at least in part on the combined expected interference, an operational antenna of the first plurality of antennas for communication associated with the first connection. 
 
     
     
       20. An integrated circuit, comprising:
 circuitry for determining, for each of a plurality of combinations of one of a first plurality of antennas configured for use with a first connection and one of a second plurality of antennas configured for use with a second connection, an individual expected interference limiting a number of usable channels for the first connection; 
 circuitry for determining a combined expected interference based at least in part on at least one of the individual expected interferences; and 
 circuitry for selecting, based at least in part on the combined expected interference, an operational antenna of the first plurality of antennas for communication associated with the first connection.

Description:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     A user equipment (UE) may be configured with a variety of different wireless communications capabilities. For example, the UE may be capable of establishing a wireless connection with a cellular network. The cellular network may be of any type of network such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, a 3G network, a 4G network, a 5G network, etc. In another example, the UE may be capable of establishing a wireless connection with a WiFi network. The WiFi network may also be of any type, such as a home WiFi network, a public access point, a HotSpot, etc. In a further example, the UE may be capable of establishing a wireless connection with another UE (e.g., a peer connection). This connection may be made using a short-range or mid-range communication protocol, such as a Bluetooth or WiFi connection. 
     The UE may be capable of utilizing these various communication capabilities for different applications and at varying times. Although the wireless connections being established for these different communication capabilities utilize respective ranges of frequencies or bandwidths (sometimes with an overlap), concurrent usage of two or more wireless connections may create interference. For example, a first wireless connection being used concurrently with a second wireless connection may create interference for the second wireless connection, or vice versa, or in both directions. Even with antenna diversity where a plurality of antennas is available to establish a first wireless connection, there may still be scenarios where the first wireless connection is interfered with by at least a second wireless connection. Specifically, where the first wireless connection is a Bluetooth connection, antenna diversity may introduce multiple Bluetooth antennas. Despite the Bluetooth protocol constantly checking for the best channels in which a communication over the Bluetooth connection may be performed, the interference from the other wireless connection(s) may result in a Bluetooth connection failing to establish or the communication over the Bluetooth connection failing to transmit/receive. Thus, the UE may be required to perform additional retransmission attempts, which may result in a lower link quality. Furthermore, these retransmissions required to compensate for packet loss due to the interference may result in the UE utilizing more power than necessary from a limited power supply. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some exemplary embodiments are directed to a method that includes, at a user equipment including an antenna arrangement comprising a first plurality of antennas configured for use with a first connection and a second plurality of antennas configured for use with a second connection: determining, for each of a plurality of combinations of one of the first antennas and one of the second antennas, an individual expected interference limiting a number of usable channels for the first connection; determining a combined expected interference based at least in part on at least one of the individual expected interferences; and selecting, based at least in part on the combined expected interference, an operational antenna of the first plurality of antennas for communication associated with the first connection. 
     Additional exemplary embodiments are directed to a user equipment that includes a transceiver configured to establish a first connection and a second connection; an antenna arrangement comprising a first plurality of antennas configured for use with a first connection and a second plurality of antennas configured for use with a second connection; and a processor determining, for each of a plurality of combinations of one of the first antennas and one of the second antennas, an individual expected interference limiting a number of usable channels for the first connection, the processor determining a combined expected interference based at least in part on at least one of the individual expected interferences, the processor selecting, based at least in part on the combined expected interference, an operational antenna of the first plurality of antennas for communication associated with the first connection. 
     Still other exemplary embodiments are directed to an integrated circuit that includes circuitry for determining, for each of a plurality of combinations of one of a first plurality of antennas configured for use with a first connection and one of a second plurality of antennas configured for use with a second connection, an individual expected interference limiting a number of usable channels for the first connection; circuitry for determining a combined expected interference based at least in part on at least one of the individual expected interferences; and circuitry for selecting, based at least in part on the combined expected interference, an operational antenna of the first plurality of antennas for communication associated with the first connection. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an example system where a user equipment adaptively selects an antenna according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2  shows the user equipment in the system of  FIG. 1  that utilizes antenna diversity according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3  shows an example policy table of available channels according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. 
         FIGS. 4-9  show a plurality of example scenarios in which an antenna is adaptively selected based on current conditions according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 10  shows an example method for adaptively selecting an antenna according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description and the related appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments are related to a device, system, and method for adaptively selecting an antenna of a user equipment (UE) for use in a data exchange over a wireless connection. Specifically, the wireless connection may be established with a short-range communication protocol, such as a Bluetooth connection. The UE may utilize an antenna diversity arrangement in which more than one Bluetooth antenna is available to exchange data over the wireless connection. The exemplary embodiments provide a mechanism by which the selection of the Bluetooth antenna used for transmission considers a current status of other wireless connections and corresponding antenna usage, such that available Bluetooth frequencies may be identified to select the Bluetooth antenna. 
     Initially, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments are described herein with regard to an antenna selection for a Bluetooth connection. However, the use of a Bluetooth connection and performing the antenna selection for this wireless connection is only exemplary. The exemplary embodiments may be modified to be used with any type of wireless connection. 
     It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments are described herein with regard to an antenna diversity arrangement (or mechanism) in which the Bluetooth connection may be established using one of two different antennas. However, the antenna diversity arrangement described with respect to two different antennas is only exemplary. The exemplary embodiments may be configured or modified to be used where the antenna diversity arrangement includes more than two antennas that are used in conjunction with the Bluetooth connection. 
     The exemplary embodiments relate to configurations where the UE may include two antennas that may be used to establish a Bluetooth connection. When the UE is only equipped with a single Bluetooth antenna (e.g., due to form factor reasons), any time that the Bluetooth connection is required, the UE selects the one available Bluetooth antenna and performs the wireless communication. Those skilled in the art will understand that other operations may be performed such as monitoring for a preferred Bluetooth channel over which the wireless communication is to be performed. However, with regard to antenna selection, the UE is not presented with an option and is only capable of utilizing the single Bluetooth antenna that is provided. 
     When the UE utilizes the Bluetooth connection and one or more other types of wireless connections (e.g., cellular, WiFi, GPS, etc.), a coexistence issue may arise where interference effects are introduced to one or more of the wireless connections. For example, the interference effects may include out-of-band emissions (e.g., from LTE bands  40 ( b ),  41 , and/or  7 , which are adjacent to the 2.4 GHz Bluetooth range), third order harmonics, intermodulation products, etc. These interference effects may interfere with the operations and functionality of the Bluetooth connection. When equipped with only a single Bluetooth antenna, the UE may be incapable of avoiding these interference issues. 
     One manner of decreasing the interference issues is by equipping the UE with a diversity antenna where two or more antennas may be available to establish the Bluetooth connection. However, when the UE is equipped with two Bluetooth antennas as well as be configured to utilize a diversity antenna for another wireless connection, the complexity with which antenna selection is performed increases. For example, the UE may be equipped with two or more antennas that may be available for further wireless connections (e.g., cellular, WiFi, etc.). For illustrative purposes, these antennas will be referred to herein as cellular antennas. However, it is noted that these antennas being used for a cellular connection is only exemplary and these antennas may be used for other types of wireless connections. It is also noted that as those skilled in the art will understand, a particular physical antenna may be capable of being used with one or more types of wireless connections. 
     With two cellular antennas and two Bluetooth antennas, there are at least four different antenna combinations that may be utilized (e.g., first cellular-first Bluetooth, first cellular-second Bluetooth, second cellular-first Bluetooth, and second cellular-second Bluetooth). Accordingly, the selection of the proper Bluetooth antenna is no longer a matter of only performing the other operations (e.g., monitoring the Bluetooth channels) but further includes the antenna selection to take advantage of the antenna diversity of having more than one Bluetooth antenna (e.g., to decrease interference issues and improve performance of the Bluetooth wireless connection). 
     With two Bluetooth antennas that are available to establish and maintain the Bluetooth connection, one manner of approaching the use of Bluetooth antenna diversity is that whenever a packet (or some wireless communication) is dropped over the Bluetooth connection using a first Bluetooth antenna, the UE is to switch to the other, second Bluetooth antenna, e.g., for a subsequent communication. This switching operation allows for the packet to be transmitted over the Bluetooth connection with an assumption that the second antenna is more likely to successfully transmit/receive the packet than the first antenna, the use of which just resulted in the unsuccessful transmission. Therefore, there is a clear advantage of initially selecting the second Bluetooth antenna (e.g., the antenna more likely to successfully complete the communication), because an improper selection would result in the increased probability of this switching function being used. 
     Therefore, where the UE has two (or more) Bluetooth antennas and two (or more) cellular antennas, the exemplary embodiments provide a mechanism where the UE dynamically adjusts the Bluetooth antenna switching policy based on expected cellular interference (e.g., from coexistence conditions). Specifically, based on the current cellular usage, the current WiFi usage, and/or the current GPS usage on the UE and usage of the antennas, the expected corresponding interference may be identified. The expected interference may provide a basis upon which the UE determines which of the available Bluetooth antennas is to be selected for use by the Bluetooth connection. As will be described in further detail below, the expected interference may be defined with adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) maps that indicate channels that the Bluetooth connection is to avoid due to the expected interference for each combination of antennas (e.g., Bluetooth antenna to cellular antenna). By instantiating AFH maps for the four different antenna combinations, an aggregate AFH map may be generated and used in conjunction with other considerations (e.g., an internal policy table) to properly select which Bluetooth antenna is to be used at any point in time. When the initial selection of the Bluetooth antenna is better, there may be decreased instances of dropped packets and use of the antenna switching function. However, even with the better selection, if a packet were to be dropped using the selected Bluetooth antenna, the exemplary embodiments may continue to select the same Bluetooth antenna. Alternatively, the exemplary embodiments may only perform an initial selection while the switching protocol may still be used where the other non-selected Bluetooth antenna is used. 
       FIG. 1  shows an example system  100  where a UE  105  adaptively selects a Bluetooth antenna according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. The system  100  includes the UE  105  that communicates over a Bluetooth connection with a Bluetooth device  150 . For example, the UE  105  may be a portable device (e.g., cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a phablet, laptop, a wearable, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) or a stationary device (e.g., a desktop terminal). The Bluetooth device  150  may be another portable or stationary device (e.g., another smartphone, an earpiece, a headset, a speaker, a display device, etc.). 
     The UE  105  may also operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., ranges of contiguous frequencies). Specifically, the UE  105  may operate over channels corresponding to a Bluetooth connection, a cellular connection, a WiFi connection, etc. Accordingly, the UE  105  may include components that enable different radio access technologies and communication protocols. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the UE  105  may include a processor  110 , a memory arrangement  115 , and a transceiver  120  utilizing an antenna arrangement  200 . The UE  105  may also include further components such as a display device, an input/output (I/O) device, and other components such as a portable power supply, an audio I/O device, etc. 
     The processor  110  may be configured to execute a plurality of applications of the UE  105 . For example, the applications may include a web browser when connected to a communication network via the transceiver  120 . Accordingly, data may be exchanged with the network. In another example, the applications may include an audio application where audio data is exchanged between the UE  105  and the Bluetooth device  150  over the Bluetooth connection. In yet another example, the applications may include a status application  125  that is configured to determine a status or monitor the wireless connections of the UE  105  as well as antenna usage. The status application  125  may determine whether the cellular connection and/or the WiFi connection is being used, and the manner in which either or both of these connections is being used. In a further example, the applications may include a selection application  130  that is configured to determine which of the Bluetooth antennas is to be selected for performing a data communication over the Bluetooth connection. The selection application  130  may receive an output from the status application  125  and utilize one or more AFH maps to identify Bluetooth channels that may be used based on expected interference to determine a corresponding Bluetooth antenna. Accordingly, the selection application  130  may generate an aggregate AFH map based on the AFH maps corresponding to the different antenna combinations under the conditions indicated by the status application  125 . 
     The above noted applications being an application (e.g., a program) executed by the processor  110  is only exemplary. The applications may also be represented as components of one or more multifunctional programs, a separate incorporated component of the UE  105  or may be a modular component coupled to the UE  105 , e.g., an integrated circuit with or without firmware. That is, the applications may be implemented in a variety of manners in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In addition, in some UEs, the functionality described for the processor  105  may be split among multiple processors (e.g., a baseband processor and an applications processor). The exemplary embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of a UE. 
     According to one exemplary embodiment, the status application  125  and the selection application  130  may be implemented in the hardware, software, and/or firmware of the coexistence control and Bluetooth control mechanisms. For example, the coexistence control mechanism may utilize a hardware component where the AFH maps are provided per cellular band based on radio and/or coexistence measurements (e.g., on prototype units) (as described in further detail below). In another example, the coexistence control mechanism may utilize a software component where a managing operation is updated to support a plurality of AFH maps for the four combinations of antennas. The software component may also push the AFH maps to the Bluetooth control mechanism via a messaging operation. In a further example, the Bluetooth control mechanism may utilize a software component where AFH maps are pushed to Bluetooth firmware. In yet another example, the Bluetooth control mechanism may utilize a firmware component where dynamic antenna selection behavior may be based on the inputs such as the output of the status application  125 . 
     The memory arrangement  115  may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the UE  105 . Specifically, the memory arrangement  115  may store measurements and/or tracking information of operations associated with wireless connections. The memory arrangement  115  may also include an AFH map repository  135 . The AFH map repository  135  may include a plurality of AFH maps that correspond to one of the four combinations of cellular antennas and Bluetooth antennas (assuming two cellular antennas and two Bluetooth antennas). As will be described in further detail below, the selection application  130  may refer to any/all of the AFH maps stored in the AFH map repository  135  when determining which of the two Bluetooth antennas is to be selected for a data communication over the Bluetooth connection based on the output from the status application  125  regarding usage of wireless connections on the UE  105 . 
     The AFH maps stored in the AFH map repository  135  may be determined in a variety of different manners. According to a first exemplary embodiment, the AFH maps may be information determined under laboratory or otherwise controlled conditions where measurements of interference may be determined. While being tested, various scenarios, conditions, setups, etc. may be used to determine the interference-related information for a particular combination of cellular antenna and Bluetooth antenna. Accordingly, as will be described in detail below, the example antenna arrangement  200  that includes two cellular antennas and two Bluetooth antennas may have a plurality of AFH maps under respective known conditions associated therewith where each AFH map defines one or more Bluetooth channels that are to be avoided, e.g., based on expected interference from the other wireless connections. When this first manner of determining the AFH maps is utilized, the AFH maps may apply to any common type of UE  105  (e.g., a particular model of UE). Therefore, the AFH maps may be general to all UEs of the same type. For illustrative purposes, the exemplary embodiments are described herein with regard to the AFH maps being determined based on this first exemplary embodiment. 
     According to a second exemplary embodiment, the one or more AFH maps may be based on information that is gathered while the UE  105  is being used. As those skilled in the art will understand, the processor  110  of the UE  105  may be configured with further applications and perform further operations that gather the interference-related information to generate the AFH maps. In this manner, the one or more AFH maps may be customized to the specific UE  105 . According to a third exemplary embodiment, the one or more AFH maps may be generated from information determined based on a combination of the above manners. Thus, the UE  105  may be configured with one or more general AFH maps associated with the type of the UE  105  and subsequently modified to customize one or more of the general AFH maps for the specific UE  105 . 
     The transceiver  120  may be a component of the UE  105  that enables communication with other devices over one or more communication pathways. Specifically, the transceiver  120  may enable wireless communications to be performed. As the exemplary embodiments relate to the UE  105 , which is capable of a plurality of different types of wireless connections, the transceiver  120  may be equipped with one or more radios that are capable of performing wireless communications over a plurality of different wireless connections, including any/all of a Bluetooth connection, a cellular connection, a WiFi connection, a GPS connection, etc. 
     The antenna arrangement  200  may be any configuration of one or more antennas that enable the transceiver  120  to perform the wireless communications over the different wireless connections. Specifically, the antenna arrangement  200  may utilize an antenna diversity arrangement in which one or more antennas in the antenna arrangement  200  may be used by a particular wireless connection. As noted above, one exemplary antenna arrangement  200  may include two cellular antennas and two Bluetooth antennas. 
       FIG. 2  shows the example UE  105  in the system  100  of  FIG. 1  that utilizes antenna diversity in the antenna arrangement  200 , according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. Specifically, as illustrated, the antenna arrangement  200  may include three antennas: an upper antenna  205  that may be used for both the cellular and Bluetooth connections using a single antenna or collocated cellular and Bluetooth antennas, a first lower antenna  210  configured for the cellular connection (hereinafter referred to as “lower cellular antenna”), and a second lower antenna  215  configured for the Bluetooth connection (hereinafter referred to as “lower Bluetooth antenna”). Since the upper antenna  205  is configured for both the cellular and Bluetooth connections (e.g., using orthogonality), when the upper antenna  205  is used for the cellular connection, the upper antenna  205  is referred to hereinafter as “upper cellular antenna” and when the upper antenna  205  is used for the Bluetooth connection, the upper antenna  205  is referred to hereinafter as “upper Bluetooth antenna”. Accordingly, the antenna arrangement  200  including the three antennas  205 ,  210 ,  215  may provide two cellular antennas and two Bluetooth antennas. The exemplary antenna arrangement  200  is described as including three physical antennas, but may be used as a four antenna arrangement including two Bluetooth antennas and two cellular antennas. As those skilled in the art will understand, the physical antennas may not define the total number of antennas available to establish the different wireless connections as one physical antenna may be used for two or more wireless connections (e.g., the upper antenna  205 ). 
     It is noted that the first and second Bluetooth antennas are referred to herein as the upper and lower Bluetooth antennas and the first and second cellular antennas are referred to herein as the upper and lower cellular antennas. However, the relative disposition of the Bluetooth and cellular antennas in the UE  105  is only exemplary. That is, the first and second Bluetooth/cellular antennas may be positioned at any relative location. For example, in another exemplary manner of arranging the antenna arrangement  200 , a first Bluetooth antenna and a first cellular antenna may be disposed on a left edge while a second Bluetooth antenna and a second cellular antenna may be disposed on an opposite right edge. Therefore, the upper and lower dispositions utilized herein is exemplary only and any relative orientation and configuration may be used. In another example, the antenna arrangement  200  may be arranged with interior and exterior antennas. 
     According to the exemplary embodiments, the UE  105  may be configured to adaptively select the Bluetooth antenna between the upper Bluetooth antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna to improve the manner in which wireless communications are performed over the Bluetooth connection. Specifically, as described above, the UE  105  may be preconfigured with one or more AFH maps defining Bluetooth channels that are to be avoided (or that can be used) for a given combination of Bluetooth and cellular antennas. By incorporating the information from the different combinations, the UE  105  may generate an aggregate AFH map that defines which Bluetooth channels are to be avoided (or which are to be used). For example, the aggregate AFH map may determine an aggregation of Bluetooth channels to be avoided where any one combination may eliminate a possible Bluetooth channel. The information of the AFH maps from the combinations may also define which Bluetooth antenna to use, particularly when the resulting available Bluetooth channels from the AFH maps of the combinations do not have a predetermined minimum number of available channels (e.g., at least 20 Bluetooth channels). 
     Therefore, the aggregate AFH map defines which of the Bluetooth channels are available for use under the current conditions. By narrowing the available Bluetooth channels, there may be scenarios where the antenna selection may be forced to the upper Bluetooth antenna or to the lower Bluetooth antenna under the current conditions. Even by narrowing the available Bluetooth channels, there may be other scenarios where the antenna selection may still be optional and either of the Bluetooth antennas may be available for use under the current conditions. The range of channels that are to be monitored with the other operations of performing the wireless communications over the Bluetooth connection may be narrowed to decrease any unnecessary power consumption. Exemplary scenarios will be described in further detail below. 
     It is noted that the UE  105  may utilize the Bluetooth antenna selection mechanism according to the exemplary embodiments at various times. For example, the UE  105  may update the AFH maps being used at predetermined intervals (e.g., once per second, once every five seconds, etc.). In this manner, the UE  105  may continuously monitor the status/current conditions of the wireless connections and interference issues surrounding the UE  105  so that a selection of the Bluetooth antenna may be made whenever required. In another example, the UE  105  may update the AFH maps when the Bluetooth communication functionality is needed. In a further example, the UE  105  may update the AFH maps based on a combination of the above manners. 
     As noted above, the UE  105  may also be configured with further considerations when adaptively selecting the Bluetooth antenna. Specifically, the UE  105  may utilize a coexistence policy table. The policy table may be loaded or preconfigured with the Bluetooth software/hardware/firmware. Alternatively, the policy table may be stored in the memory arrangement  115 . The policy table may define available channels based on an antenna combination and a selected cellular band being used. It is also noted that if enabled, the GPS frequencies being used may also be included in the policy table. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary policy table  300  of available channels according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. It is noted that the policy table  300  is only exemplary and the available channels that are indicated are also only exemplary. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , rows  305 - 325  may indicate the selected cellular band while columns  330 - 345  may indicate the antenna combination. Specifically, the row  305  is for a first LTE band A, the row  310  is for a second LTE band B, the row  315  is for a third LTE band C, the row  320  is for a fourth LTE band D, and the row  325  is for a fifth LTE band E. In other implementations, the policy table  300  may include more, fewer, and/or different rows. For example, the policy table  300  may include further rows of further LTE bands. In another example, the policy table  300  may include further rows for other types of cellular bands (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.). The columns  330 ,  335  may relate to when the upper cellular antenna is being used. Thus, column  330  may be for the antenna combination of the upper cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna. The column  335  may be for the antenna combination of the upper cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna. The columns  340 ,  345  may relate to when the lower cellular antenna is being used. Thus, column  345  may be for the antenna combination of the lower cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna. The column  345  may be for the antenna combination of the lower cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna. 
     In the exemplary policy table  300 , the available range of Bluetooth channels may include 79 total channels from 0 to 78. Accordingly, the policy table  300  may define the channels that are blocked from this total channel range within the cells of the policy table  300  (an intersection between the rows  305 - 325  and the columns  330 - 345 ). In a first example, the cell corresponding to the LTE band A and the upper cellular and upper Bluetooth antenna combination indicates that channels 0 to 58 are blocked. In a second example, the cell corresponding to the LTE band E and the upper cellular and upper Bluetooth antenna combination indicates that channels 0 to 78 are blocked. In a third example, the cell corresponding to the LTE band C and the upper cellular and lower Bluetooth antenna combination indicates that channels 0 to 20 are blocked. In a fourth example, the cell corresponding to the LTE band A and the lower cellular and upper Bluetooth antenna combinations indicates that no channels are blocked. Accordingly, the information of the policy table  300  may also provide information that is used in generating the aggregate AFH map that defines the available Bluetooth channels for use under current conditions based on expected interference as indicated in the AFH maps for the different antenna combinations. 
     It is again noted that the policy table  300  may consider the specific cellular frequencies being used as described above, but may further consider the GPS frequencies being used. Specifically, an entire LTE band may cover a wide set of frequencies, but a much smaller set may be used by a particular cellular provider. It is also noted that the determination of the channels to be blocked as indicated in the cells of the policy table  300  may be dynamically calculated using predetermined formulas. 
       FIGS. 4-9  show a plurality of scenarios  400 - 900  in which a Bluetooth antenna is adaptively selected based on current conditions associated with wireless connections and antenna usage according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. The scenarios  400 - 900  relate to when the predetermined minimum number of available Bluetooth channels that is to be set is at least 20. Thus, when a particular combination has a number of available Bluetooth channels that is less than this predetermined minimum number, this may indicate a poor antenna combination and a configuration that should be avoided. As described above, the scenarios  400 - 900  may relate to having four different antenna combinations of (1) upper cellular with upper Bluetooth, (2) lower cellular with upper Bluetooth, (3) upper cellular with lower Bluetooth, and (4) lower cellular with lower Bluetooth. The scenarios  400 - 900  may additionally consider other types of wireless connections that may contribute to the interference issues. As will be described in detail below, one such wireless connection may be a WiFi connection and expected interference issues associated therewith. The scenarios  400 - 900  are described with consideration of a WiFi connection as well (when applicable). The AFH maps included in each of the scenarios  400 - 900  are shown where grayed sections represent poor Bluetooth channels to be avoided due to the corresponding interference. 
     In  FIG. 4 , the scenario  400  may relate to when there is no WiFi interference but significant cellular interference. As shown, a first AFH map  405  of the antenna combination including the upper cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna has significant cellular interference where less than 20 Bluetooth channels are available. That is, if the upper cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna were to be used, less than 20 Bluetooth channels may be available that are not impacted by the cellular interference. A second AFH map  410  of the antenna combination including the lower cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna, a third AFH map  415  of the antenna combination including the upper cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna, and a fourth AFH map  420  of the antenna combination including the lower cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna all reflect substantially less cellular interference than the first AFH map  405 . Again, the fifth AFH map  425  relates to interference resulting from the WiFi connection. Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  430  may be generated based on the AFH maps  405 - 425 . 
     Although the aggregate AFH map  430  considers all the AFH maps  405 - 425 , the aggregate AFH map  430  may be a combination of the AFH maps  410 - 425 . That is, the AFH map  405  may be interpreted as an antenna combination to be avoided as usage of the upper Bluetooth antenna while concurrently using the upper cellular antenna results in an insufficient number of available Bluetooth channels (e.g., less than 20, although any other threshold can be applied). Thus, the aggregate AFH map  430  may be generated based on the AFH maps  410 - 425 , while excluding the AFH map  405  that would be infeasible. Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  430  is generated based on viable worst case. When determining which of the Bluetooth antennas to be adaptively selected, information from all the AFH maps  405 - 425  may still be considered while using the aggregate AFH map  430 . For example, the UE  105  may select either of the Bluetooth antennas, since there is at least one combination including the upper Bluetooth antenna and at least one combination including the lower Bluetooth antenna for which the set of available Bluetooth channels satisfies the predetermined minimum number. However, the better selection of the Bluetooth antenna may be the lower Bluetooth antenna since the upper cellular antenna being used creates the above noted significant interference condition. Accordingly, based on the cellular antenna that is being used, for wireless communications over the Bluetooth connection, the UE  105  may either be provided an option to select the initial Bluetooth antenna when the upper cellular antenna is not being used or be forced to select the lower Bluetooth antenna when the upper cellular antenna is being used. When provided an option, the UE  105  may utilize any available mechanism to determine which of the Bluetooth antennas to select. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the scenario  500  may relate to when there is no WiFi interference and only moderate cellular interference. Thus, in contrast to the scenario  400 , all the antenna combinations may identify available Bluetooth channels that satisfy the predetermined minimum number. As shown, a first AFH map  505  of the antenna combination including the upper cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna has the most cellular interference, but still has at least 20 Bluetooth channels available. A second AFH map  510  of the antenna combination including the lower cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna, a third AFH map  515  of the antenna combination including the upper cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna, and a fourth AFH map  520  of the antenna combination including the lower cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna all reflect substantially less cellular interference than the first AFH map  505 . The fifth AFH map  525  relates to interference, which is not present, resulting from the WiFi connection. Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  530  may be generated based on the AFH maps  505 - 525 . 
     In this instance, the aggregate AFH map  530  may be a combination of all the AFH maps  505 - 525 . That is, all the AFH maps  505 - 525  may be interpreted as indicating that any antenna combination may be used. Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  530  is generated based on overall worst case. In the present example, the Bluetooth channels  535  shown in the aggregate AFH map  530  that can be used for any antenna combination correspond to the Bluetooth channels that are available for use in AFH map  505 . When determining which of the Bluetooth antennas to be adaptively selected, information from all the AFH maps  505 - 525  may again be considered while using the aggregate AFH map  530 . For example, the UE  105  may select either of the Bluetooth antennas since both combinations including the upper Bluetooth antenna and both combinations including the lower Bluetooth antenna satisfy the predetermined minimum number for available Bluetooth channels. Accordingly, the UE  105  may be provided with an option to select the initial Bluetooth antenna for wireless communications over the Bluetooth connection regardless of the cellular antenna that is being used. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the scenario  600  may relate to when there is moderate WiFi interference and moderate cellular interference. As shown, a first AFH map  605  of the antenna combination including the upper cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna has moderate cellular interference, but at least 20 Bluetooth channels are still available. A second AFH map  610  of the antenna combination including the lower cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna, a third AFH map  615  of the antenna combination including the upper cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna, and a fourth AFH map  620  of the antenna combination including the lower cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna all have less cellular interference than the first AFH map  605 . The fifth AFH map  625  relates to interference resulting from the WiFi connection and shows moderate WiFi interference (e.g., on an opposite end of the spectrum of available Bluetooth channels relative to a side corresponding to the cellular interference). Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  630  may be generated based on the AFH maps  605 - 625 . 
     Despite the cellular interference only being moderate for the AFH map  605 , when incorporating the WiFi interference from the AFH map  625 , the aggregate AFH map  630  may be a combination of the AFH maps  610 - 625 . That is, the AFH map  605  may be interpreted as an antenna combination to be avoided as usage of the upper Bluetooth antenna while concurrently using the upper cellular antenna results in an insufficient number of available Bluetooth channels (less than 20) when also incorporating the WiFi interference. Thus, the aggregate AFH map  630  may be generated based on the AFH maps  610 - 625  while excluding the AFH map  605 . Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  630  is generated based on a viable worst case, which permits operation under three of the possible antenna combinations. In this manner, the WiFi interference may effectively provide a priority interference consideration over the cellular interference. For example, the WiFi interference may be an external interference that is expected or required to be avoided by a communication regulation (e.g., as defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)). When determining which of the Bluetooth antennas to be adaptively selected, information from all the AFH maps  605 - 625  may be considered while using the aggregate AFH map  630 . For example, the UE  105  may select either of the Bluetooth antennas since there is at least one combination including the upper Bluetooth antenna and at least one combination including the lower Bluetooth antenna where the available Bluetooth channels satisfies the predetermined minimum number. However, the better selection of the Bluetooth antenna may be the lower Bluetooth antenna since the upper cellular antenna being used creates the above noted significant interference condition. Accordingly, the Bluetooth antenna selection may be based on the cellular status, such that the UE  105  may either have the option to select either Bluetooth antenna when the upper cellular antenna is not being used or be forced to select the lower Bluetooth antenna when the upper cellular antenna is being used. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the scenario  700  may relate to an instance when there is moderate to low WiFi interference and moderate cellular interference. As shown, a first AFH map  705  of the antenna combination including the upper cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna has moderate cellular interference but at least 20 Bluetooth channels are still available. A second AFH map  710  of the antenna combination including the lower cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna, a third AFH map  715  of the antenna combination including the upper cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna, and a fourth AFH map  720  of the antenna combination including the lower cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna all have less cellular interference than the first AFH map  705 . The fifth AFH map  725  relates to interference resulting from the WiFi connection and shows low WiFi interference from blocked Bluetooth channels  735  (and alternatively moderate WiFi interference if additionally considering blocked Bluetooth channels  740 ). Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  730  may be generated based on the AFH maps  705 - 725 . 
     In the instance of low WiFi interference, the aggregate AFH map  730  may be a combination of the AFH maps  705 - 725 . That is, all the AFH maps  705 - 725  may be interpreted as an antenna combination that may be used. Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  730  is generated based on an overall worst case. When determining which of the Bluetooth antennas to be adaptively selected, information from all the AFH maps  705 - 725  may again be considered while using the aggregate AFH map  730 . For example, the UE  105  may select either of the Bluetooth antennas since both combinations including the upper Bluetooth antenna and both combinations including the lower Bluetooth antenna satisfy the predetermined minimum number for available Bluetooth channels, even when the presence of low WiFi interference is considered, as reflected by the blocked Bluetooth channels  735 . Accordingly, the UE  105  may be provided with an option to select the initial Bluetooth antenna for wireless communications over the Bluetooth connection, regardless of the cellular antenna that is being used. 
     However, if the WiFi interference increases from low to moderate, as reflected by the blocked Bluetooth channels  740 , the scenario  700  becomes substantially similar to the scenario  600 . Specifically, the AFH map  705  may be interpreted as an antenna combination to be avoided as usage of the upper Bluetooth antenna while concurrently using the upper cellular antenna results in an insufficient number of available Bluetooth channels (less than 20) when also incorporating the moderate WiFi interference. Thus, an aggregate AFH map  745  may be generated based on the AFH maps  710 - 725  while excluding the AFH map  705 . Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  745  is generated based on viable worst case. When determining which of the Bluetooth antennas to be adaptively selected, information from all the AFH maps  705 - 725  may be considered while using the aggregate AFH map  745 . For example, the UE  105  may select either of the Bluetooth antennas since there is at least one combination including the upper Bluetooth antenna and at least one combination including the lower Bluetooth antenna where the available Bluetooth channels satisfies the predetermined minimum number. However, the better selection of the Bluetooth antenna may be the lower Bluetooth antenna since the upper cellular antenna being used creates the above noted significant interference condition. Accordingly, based on the cellular antenna that is being used, for wireless communications over the Bluetooth connection, the UE  105  may either be provided an option to select the initial Bluetooth antenna when the upper cellular antenna is not being used or be forced to select the lower Bluetooth antenna when the upper cellular antenna is being used. 
     In  FIG. 8 , the scenario  800  may relate to an instance when there is significant WiFi interference and moderate cellular interference. As shown, a first AFH map  805  of the antenna combination including the upper cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna has moderate cellular interference, but at least 20 Bluetooth channels are still available. A second AFH map  810  of the antenna combination including the lower cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna, a third AFH map  815  of the antenna combination including the upper cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna, and a fourth AFH map  820  of the antenna combination including the lower cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna all have less cellular interference than the first AFH map  805 . The fifth AFH map  825  relates to interference resulting from the WiFi connection and shows significant WiFi interference. Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  830  may be generated based on the AFH maps  805 - 825 . 
     Despite the cellular interference only being moderate for the AFH maps  805 ,  810 , and  820 , when incorporating the WiFi interference from the AFH map  825 , the combined interference may also create conditions where the number of available Bluetooth channels does not satisfy the predetermined threshold. However, the AFH map  815  and the AFH map  825  (which may be required to be considered based on regulatory standards) form a combination that permits the predetermined minimum number of available Bluetooth channels to be met. Therefore, the aggregate AFH map  830  may be a combination of the AFH maps  815  and  825 . That is, the AFH maps  805 ,  810 ,  820  may be interpreted as antenna combinations to be avoided as usage of the corresponding antenna combinations each result in an insufficient number of available Bluetooth channels (e.g., less than 20) when also incorporating the WiFi interference. Thus, the aggregate AFH map  830  may be generated based on the AFH maps  815 ,  825  excluding the AFH maps  805 ,  810 ,  820 . Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  830  is generated based on a viable worst case. When determining which of the Bluetooth antennas to be adaptively selected, information from all the AFH maps  805 - 825  may be considered while using the aggregate AFH map  830 . For example, the better selection of the Bluetooth antenna may be the lower Bluetooth antenna since using the upper Bluetooth antenna with either the upper cellular or lower cellular antenna results in a poorer condition (e.g., significant interference). Although the lower Bluetooth antenna being used with the upper cellular antenna may also result in poor performance, based on probability, use of the lower Bluetooth antenna may result in an overall better condition and even creates an acceptable condition where the predetermined minimum number of available Bluetooth channels become available. Accordingly, for wireless communications over the Bluetooth connection in the scenario  800 , the UE  105  may be forced to select the lower Bluetooth antenna at all times. 
     In  FIG. 9 , the scenario  900  may relate to an instance when there is significant WiFi interference and moderate cellular interference. As shown, a first AFH map  905  of the antenna combination including the upper cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna reflects moderate cellular interference, but at least 20 Bluetooth channels are still available. A second AFH map  910  of the antenna combination including the lower cellular antenna and the upper Bluetooth antenna, a third AFH map  915  of the antenna combination including the upper cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna, and a fourth AFH map  920  of the antenna combination including the lower cellular antenna and the lower Bluetooth antenna all reflect less cellular interference than the first AFH map  905 . The fifth AFH map  925  relates to interference resulting from the WiFi connection and shows significant WiFi interference. Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  930  may be generated based on the AFH maps  905 - 925 . 
     Despite the cellular interference only being moderate for the AFH maps  905 ,  910 ,  915 , and  920 , when incorporating the WiFi interference from the AFH map  925 , the total interference may create conditions where the available Bluetooth channels do not satisfy the predetermined minimum number. As shown, the WiFi interference is so significant that the predetermined minimum number of available Bluetooth channels (e.g.,  20 ) is satisfied only when there is no cellular interference. Therefore, the aggregate AFH map  930  may be based only on the AFH map  925 . That is, the AFH maps  905 - 920  may be interpreted as an antenna combination to be avoided as usage of the corresponding antenna combination results in an insufficient number of available Bluetooth channels (e.g., less than 20) when also incorporating the WiFi interference. Thus, the aggregate AFH map  930  may be generated based on the AFH map  925  excluding the AFH maps  905 - 920 . Accordingly, the aggregate AFH map  930  is generated based on a viable worst case. When determining which of the Bluetooth antennas to be adaptively selected, information from all the AFH maps  905 - 925  may be considered while using the aggregate AFH map  930 . For example, the better selection of the Bluetooth antenna may be forcing a selection to a default Bluetooth antenna as there are no antenna combinations that result in the predetermined minimum number of available Bluetooth channels being met. Accordingly, for wireless communications over the Bluetooth connection in the scenario  900 , the UE  105  may be forced to select the default Bluetooth antenna (which may be either the upper or lower Bluetooth antenna as may be predetermined or preconfigured). 
     It is noted that the scenarios  400 - 900  described above relate to particular examples that the UE  105  may face from wireless connections and resulting interference issues. Although the scenarios  400 - 900  are relatively specific samples, the scenarios  400 - 900  may be representative of generalized current conditions being experienced by the UE  105 . For example, the scenarios  400 ,  600  may be when only one AFH map is omitted from generating the aggregate AFH map and providing a condition when an option is removed and a forced selection is used. The scenarios  500 ,  700  may be representative of circumstances when no AFH is omitted and the option of selecting either Bluetooth antenna is available throughout. The scenario  800  may be representative of circumstances when more than one AFH map is omitted from generating the aggregate AFH map and a selection of which Bluetooth antenna to use is forced throughout. The scenario  900  may be representative of circumstances when all cellular AFH maps are omitted from generating the aggregate AFH map and a selection of which Bluetooth antenna to use is forced throughout. As the scenarios  400 - 900  are only exemplary, there may also be further scenarios that may be covered by the exemplary embodiments. For example, the WiFi interference may cover the entire range of Bluetooth channels or the interference results in no range of Bluetooth channels that have the predetermined minimum number of available Bluetooth channels. In such a scenario, the same mechanism as used in the scenario  900  may be utilized if a selection of a Bluetooth antenna is to be performed. Furthermore, in some circumstances, interference from another source, such as an NFC or Zigbee radio, may also be factored into generation of the aggregate AFH map, e.g., in addition to or in place of one or more of the other AFH maps. 
     Using the above described exemplary selection mechanisms, the exemplary embodiments provide a mechanism through which an improved selection of the Bluetooth antenna (initially or persistently) for use in wireless communications over the Bluetooth connection may be made. Based on expected interference issues from other wireless connections (e.g., cellular and/or WiFi), the UE may identify available Bluetooth channels or conditions that define the available set of Bluetooth channels. As cellular antennas are dynamically tuned (e.g., tuning to a specific cellular band if cellular active), a coexistence policy table may provide Bluetooth channel availability information and the UE may also monitor varying levels of degraded performance depending on the cellular band. When one of the Bluetooth antennas (e.g., the upper Bluetooth antenna) is capable of being dynamically tuned, retuning issues may arise and cause problems with the Bluetooth connection. However, by continuously selecting the expected better Bluetooth antenna, these issues may also be avoided or reduced. 
       FIG. 10  shows an example method  1000  for adaptively selecting an antenna according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. The method  1000  may relate to how the UE  105  determines which Bluetooth antenna to select to provide a higher probability of good performance, based on a status of wireless connections and antenna usage from current conditions surrounding the UE  105  (as well as further considerations such as the policy table  300 ). The method  1000  is performed by the UE  105  and will be described with regard to the system  100  of  FIG. 1 , the antenna arrangement  200  of  FIG. 2 , the policy table  300  of  FIG. 3 , and the scenarios  400 - 900  of  FIGS. 4-9 . 
     In  1005 , the UE  105  determines a status of the wireless connection and the corresponding antenna usage. As described above, the UE  105  may utilize the status application  125  to monitor the UE&#39;s one or more wireless connections and track the corresponding antenna usage. The UE  105  may determine whether the cellular connection and/or the WiFi connection are being used as well as the antennas (e.g., which cellular antenna) that are being used. 
     In  1010 , the UE  105  identifies the corresponding AFH maps, e.g., stored in the AFH map repository  135 . Based on the wireless connections and antenna usage, the AFH maps that associate the expected interference may define (or otherwise indicate) one or more Bluetooth channels that are to be avoided for a given antenna combination, e.g., of the Bluetooth antennas and the cellular antennas. In this manner, the UE  105  may identify the AFH maps (e.g., four AFH maps) corresponding to each of the antenna combinations. Additionally, if a WiFi connection is being used, the UE  105  may also identify an AFH map corresponding to the expected interference caused by the WiFi connection. As noted above, the WiFi connection may introduce an external interference that is to be avoided for purposes of performing wireless communications over the Bluetooth connection. Based on the identified AFH maps, the UE  105  may generate the aggregate AFH map. It is noted that the source of the WiFi interference may not be the WiFi usage on the UE  105 . That is, even if the WiFi connection on the UE  105  is not being used, there may still be WiFi signals and/or other interference in the unlicensed 2.4 (and/or 5) GHz WiFi band. For example, the source of the interference in the WiFi band may arise from any RF source, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, etc. The exemplary embodiments may be configured to identify and avoid this type of interference that coincides with, or otherwise causes interference similar to, WiFi usage. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments described above and herein related to WiFi interference based on the WiFi connection on the UE  105  may be representative of any interference that falls in a WiFi band (e.g., an ISM band) and may originate from any source. 
     As noted above, the aggregate AFH map may incorporate one or more of the identified AFH maps. For example, in a flexible situation, all of the identified AFH maps may be incorporated (e.g., scenarios  500 ,  700 ), one of the identified AFH maps may be omitted (e.g., scenarios  400 ,  600 ), more than one of the identified AFH maps may be omitted (e.g., scenario  800 ), or all of the identified AFH maps for the cellular connection may be omitted (e.g., scenario  900 ). For illustrative purposes, it may be assumed that the identified AFH maps and/or the aggregate AFH map have incorporated information available in the policy table  300  that indicates available Bluetooth channels when a particular cellular band is being used. 
     In  1015 , the UE  105  determines whether the current conditions result in an available range of Bluetooth channels based on the aggregate AFH map and the identified AFH maps. The UE  105  may determine whether at least one of the identified AFH maps corresponding to the cellular interference may be incorporated in indicating whether there is a viable available range of Bluetooth channels (e.g., a number of available Bluetooth channels that exceeds a predetermined threshold). When the identified AFH maps corresponding to the cellular interference may not be incorporated, such a scenario may correspond to scenario  900 . When there is no available range of Bluetooth channels based on the cellular interference, the UE  105  continues to  1020  where the UE  105  determines the best available Bluetooth antenna or defers to a default Bluetooth antenna. Based on this selection, in  1025 , the UE  105  performs the wireless communication over the Bluetooth connection using the selected Bluetooth antenna. 
     Returning to  1015 , if there is at least one available range of Bluetooth channels that exceeds the threshold, when incorporating the cellular interference, the UE  105  continues to  1030 . In  1030 , the UE  105  determines whether an option is available. That is, the option relates to whether the UE  105  is provided control over whether the upper Bluetooth antenna or the lower Bluetooth antenna may be selected. As noted above, the option may be available in at least the examples of scenarios  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  700 . In contrast, the option may not be available in the example of scenario  800 , as only one Bluetooth antenna is available to be selected in view of the other Bluetooth antenna not being a viable option. Thus, if there is no option available, in  1035 , the UE  105  selects the indicated Bluetooth antenna (e.g., the lower Bluetooth antenna in scenario  800 ). Thereafter in  1025 , the UE  105  performs the wireless communication over the Bluetooth connection using the selected Bluetooth antenna. 
     Returning to  1030 , if there is an option available, the UE  105  continues to  1040 . In  1040 , the UE  105  determines whether a condition is applicable. For example, the condition may relate to whether one or more of the identified AFH maps corresponding to the cellular interference have been omitted in generating the aggregate AFH map. For example, scenarios  400  and  500  omitted an identified AFH map where the cellular interference (in conjunction with the WiFi interference) would result in the predetermined minimum number of available Bluetooth channels not being met. Thus, when the condition is present, in  1045 , the UE  105  determines whether the condition has been met. For example, in the scenarios  400  and  500 , the condition may be whether the upper cellular antenna is being used. If the condition has been met, the option of selecting between Bluetooth antennas no longer is available and selection of a predetermined Bluetooth antenna is forced. Accordingly, in  1035 , the indicated Bluetooth antenna is selected and in  1025 , the UE  105  performs the wireless communication over the Bluetooth connection using the selected Bluetooth antenna. 
     Returning to  1045 , if the condition has not been met and the option of which Bluetooth antenna to select is still available, the UE  105  continues to  1050 . Alternatively or additionally, returning to  1040 , if there is no condition that applies to the current conditions, the UE  105  continues to  1050 . In  1050 , the UE  105  selects an available Bluetooth antenna using any known mechanism by which antenna selection may be performed. For example, the UE  105  may refer to a default selection. In another example, the UE  105  may consider the AFH maps corresponding to cellular interference and select the least likely interfered Bluetooth antenna. Thereafter, in  1025 , the UE  105  performs the wireless communication over the Bluetooth connection using the selected Bluetooth antenna. 
     The exemplary embodiments provide a device, system, and method of coexistence based frequency hopping where a selection is made between at least two antennas of a UE for a given wireless connection type based on current conditions surrounding the UE. The current conditions may relate to further wireless connections and usage of antennas associated with these further wireless connections. Based on an expected interference from the wireless connections, the UE may determine the manner in which the antenna selection operation is to be performed. Specifically, the antenna selection operation may be selecting a default antenna, forcibly selecting one of the available antennas, or providing an option to select one of the available antennas. This antenna selection operation may be performed to decrease instances where packet drops occur as the situationally better antenna is selected in an initial selection and/or for ongoing selections. 
     Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-described exemplary embodiments may be implemented in any suitable software or hardware configuration or combination thereof. An exemplary hardware platform for implementing the exemplary embodiments may include, for example, an Intel x86 based platform with compatible operating system, a Mac platform and MAC OS, a mobile device having an operating system such as iOS, Android, etc. In a further example, the exemplary embodiments of the above described method may be embodied as a program containing lines of code stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that, when compiled, may be executed on a processor or microprocessor. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalent.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170908
Publication Date: 20181113
Grant Date: 20181113
Priority Date: 20170908
Inventors: CHEUNG, DAVID B.
FLYNN, PAUL
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04B1/715", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B7/0805", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W76/15", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B7/0613", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B2001/7154", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W76/15", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/715", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B2001/7154", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B7/0805", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/715", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W76/15", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B7/0613", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 64050850