Synchronization estimation based on ultra-wideband connections

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022295431-A1
Application number	US-202117384558-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 23, 2021
Priority date	Mar 12, 2021
Publication date	Sep 15, 2022
Grant date	—

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, at a transceiver of a mobile device, a clock synchronization request from a remote device, the request being received over a wireless communication link; generating, by a controller associated with a firmware layer associated with the transceiver of the mobile device, a response to the synchronization request, the response being configured for synchronizing a remote clock of the remote device and a local clock of the mobile device; and sending, to the remote device by the transceiver, the response to the synchronization request.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the controller of the firmware layer is configured for generating the response without accessing an application processor (AP) of the mobile device.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
maintaining an application processor (AP) of the mobile device in a hibernation state while generating the response, wherein the AP of the mobile 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 the firmware layer comprises a Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol L2CAP layer.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the response 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 enabling 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:
prior to receiving the request, precomputing response data for including in the response to the synchronization request, the precomputed response data comprising L2CAP layer data.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating BT credit data for controlling transmission to the remote device while an AP is in hibernation; sending the BT credit data to the firmware layer; and causing the AP to initiate hibernation.

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

10 . The method of claim 9 , 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.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the wireless communications link comprises an ultra-wideband (UWB) link.

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

13 . A system comprising:
an application processor (AP); a transceiver associated with a firmware layer and a controller; and memory storing instructions that when executed by controller, cause the controller perform operations comprising:
receiving data representing a clock synchronization request from a remote device, the request being received by the transceiver over a wireless communication link;
generating a response to the synchronization request, the response being configured for synchronizing a remote clock of the remote device and a local clock of the mobile device; and
sending, to the remote device by the transceiver, the response to the synchronization request.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured for generating the response without accessing the application processor (AP) of the mobile device.

15 . The system of claim 13 , the operations further comprising:
maintaining the application processor (AP) of the mobile device in a hibernation state while generating the response, wherein the AP of the mobile 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.

16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the firmware layer comprises a Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol L2CAP layer.

17 . The system of claim 13 , wherein generating the response 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 enabling the remote device to synchronize the remote clock with the local clock.

18 . The system of claim 13 , 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 system of claim 13 , the operations further comprising:
prior to receiving the request, precomputing response data for including in the response to the synchronization request, the precomputed response data comprising L2CAP layer data.

20 . 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, the request being received by the transceiver over a wireless communication link; generating a response to the synchronization request, the response being configured for synchronizing a remote clock of the remote device and a local clock of the mobile device; and sending, to the remote device by the transceiver, the response to the synchronization request.

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

• H04W56/005 Primary

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

• Y02D30/70

  in wireless communication networks · CPC title