Apple Inc.

Michael A Robinson

Camille Chen

Michael Jason Giles

Jaime Tolentino

Marco Pontil

Lei Li

Methods and apparatus for enhancing network capacity in a network comprising multiple wireless communication that overlap at least partly in frequency spectrum. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a portable device such as a laptop or smartphone having both a WLAN (e.g., Wi-Fi) interface and a PAN (e.g., Bluetooth) interface which each operate with approximately the same frequency range. One variant places the WLAN interface into a power-saving mode as a default, thereby mitigating interference with the PAN interface in cases where the WLAN interface is not in active use. In another variant, an aggressive PAN management algorithm is used to enforce network policy on the PAN interface, thereby mitigating interference between the PAN interface and the WLAN interfaces of other devices in the network (as well as the parent device). AP-based variants are also described. Methods of operation and doing business utilizing the aforementioned apparatus are also disclosed.

Methods and apparatus for network capacity enhancement for wireless device coexistence

Methods and apparatus for compensating for the effects of interference between multiple wireless communication apparatus. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a first wireless communication apparatus operating in a first band and a second wireless communication apparatus operating at least partly in the first band, where the second wireless communication apparatus operates according to a different communication protocol than the first wireless communication apparatus. Interference is compensated for between the first wireless communication apparatus and the second wireless communication apparatus by selecting and operating according to one of a plurality of operational protocols. In another embodiment, the first wireless communication apparatus and the second wireless communication apparatus operate in a closed-loop relationship to cooperatively compensate for communication interference.

Methods and apparatus for wireless device coexistence

Methods and apparatus for selectively switching one or more antennas in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array so as to mitigate interference with another RF interface within the same space-constrained device, based on radio frequency isolation. In one embodiment, the MIMO interface comprises a WLAN interface having a 2&#xd7;2 or 3&#xd7;3 array of antennae which are placed in a wireless device in an asymmetric fashion with respect to the antenna of the second interface, and the other interface comprises a PAN (e.g., Bluetooth) interface operating in an overlapping frequency band (e.g., ISM band). When both interfaces are operating, interference is mitigated through selectively switching off one or more of the MIMO antennae, and using the remaining antenna(e) having the best isolation from the Bluetooth antennae. This approach allows simultaneous operation of both interferences without significant degradation to user experience or the operation of either interface, and may also provide power savings critical to mobile device battery longevity.

Methods and apparatus for antenna isolation-dependent coexistence in wireless systems

Methods and apparatus for analysis of electronic components such as radio transceivers (for example, WLAN, Bluetooth, cellular, GPS). In one embodiment, a 'black box' is diagnosed in its final device application and layout, using a series of software test routines or suites. The test suites provide simultaneous monitoring of multiple non-overlapping status indicators. Each test suite can be selectively enabled or disabled, and may also provide runtime modification of one or more parameters, and or intelligent testing of system operation. In another embodiment, multiple black box modules within a single form factor device are simultaneously run; the interference levels between the black box modules (as well as other parameters) are independently measured, displayed and logged to the user. Exemplary embodiments are described in reference to a Bluetooth module and WLAN module operating within a spatially restricted device (such as a desktop/laptop computer, 'smartphone', Bluetooth mouse and keyboard).

Growing community of inventors

Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Michael A Robinson