Synchronization estimation based on ultra-wideband connections

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12035266-B2
Application number	US-202117384558-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 23, 2021
Priority date	Mar 12, 2021
Publication date	Jul 9, 2024
Grant date	Jul 9, 2024

Abstract

An example system includes an application processor (AP), a transceiver associated with a firmware layer and a controller. The controller is configured to perform operations that include receiving data representing a clock synchronization request from a remote device, such as a UWB clock synchronization request. The request is received by the transceiver over a wireless communication link. The controller generates a response to the synchronization request. The response is configured for synchronizing a remote clock of the remote device and a local clock of the mobile device. The controller sends, to the remote device by the transceiver, the response to the synchronization request.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
receiving a clock synchronization request, the request being received over a wireless communication link from a remote device;
generating, by at least one processor, response data to respond to the synchronization request, the response data being configured for synchronizing a remote clock of the remote device and a local clock of a device;
wherein generating the response data comprises, prior to receiving the request, precomputing the response data to respond to the synchronization request, the precomputed response data comprising L2CAP layer data; and
preparing, for transmission to the remote device, the response data to the synchronization request.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured for generating the response data without accessing an application processor (AP) of the device.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
maintaining an application processor (AP) of the device in a hibernation state while generating the response, wherein the AP of the device consumes a reduced power in the hibernation state relative to an increased power consumed during an active state in which the AP is enabled to process data.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a firmware layer associated with the at least one processor comprises a Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol L2CAP layer.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the response data to respond to the synchronization request comprises:
obtaining, from the request, a first clock value for the remote clock;
accessing a second clock value for the local clock corresponding to receiving the request from the remote device;
determining an adjustment for a first frequency of the remote clock, a second frequency value of the local clock, or both the first frequency and the second frequency; and
generating data representing the determined adjustment, the response data configured to enable the remote device to synchronize the remote clock with the local clock.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the response data comprises a converted Bluetooth (BT) clock value and a clock accuracy value, and wherein the synchronization request comprises a request for an ultra-wideband (UWB) clock value.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating Bluetooth (BT) credit data, the BT credit data for use in controlling transmission to the remote device while an application processor (AP) is in hibernation;
sending the BT credit data to firmware layer associated with the at least one processor; and
causing the AP to initiate hibernation.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communications link comprises a Bluetooth link.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the Bluetooth link comprises a Bluetooth Low Energy Long Range (LE-LR) link or a Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Coded Physical Layer (PHY) link.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the wireless communications link comprises an ultra-wideband (UWB) link.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote device comprises a vehicle.

12. An apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to perform operations comprising:
receiving data representing a clock synchronization request from a remote device;
generating response data to respond to the synchronization request, the response data being configured for synchronizing a remote clock of the remote device and a local clock;
wherein generating the response data comprises, prior to receiving the request, precomputing the response data to respond to the synchronization request, the precomputed response data comprising L2CAP layer data; and
preparing, for transmission, to the remote device, the response data to the synchronization request.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured for generating the response data without accessing an application processor (AP).

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , the operations further comprising:
maintaining an application processor (AP) in a hibernation state while generating the response, wherein the AP consumes a reduced power in the hibernation state relative to an increased power consumed during an active state in which the AP is enabled to process data.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein a firmware layer associated with the processing circuitry comprises a Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol L2CAP layer.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein generating the response data to respond to the synchronization request comprises:
obtaining, from the request, a first clock value for the remote clock;
accessing a second clock value for the local clock corresponding to receiving the request from the remote device;
determining an adjustment for a first frequency of the remote clock, a second frequency value of the local clock, or both the first frequency and the second frequency; and
generating response data representing the determined adjustment, the response data configured to enable the remote device to synchronize the remote clock with the local clock.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the response data comprises a converted Bluetooth (BT) clock value and a clock accuracy value, and wherein the synchronization request comprises a request for an ultra-wideband (UWB) clock value.

18. One or more non-transitory, computer-readable storage media having instructions stored thereon, that when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
receiving data representing a clock synchronization request from a remote device;
generating response data to respond to the synchronization request, the response data being configured for synchronizing a remote clock of the remote device and a local clock; and
preparing, for transmission to the remote device, the response data to the synchronization request,
wherein the response data comprises a converted Bluetooth (BT) clock value and a clock accuracy value, and wherein the synchronization request comprises a request for an ultra-wideband (UWB) clock value.

19. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable storage media of claim 18 , wherein generating the response data comprises, prior to receiving the request, precomputing the response data to respond to the synchronization request, the precomputed response data comprising L2CAP layer data.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Ly-Gagnon Yann
• Unkn Arun
• Wasada Langford M

Classifications

• H04W56/0015

  one node acting as a reference for the others · CPC title

• Y02D30/70

  in wireless communication networks · CPC title

• H04W56/005 Primary

  compensating for timing error by adjustment in the receiver · CPC title