WO2011042051A1

WO2011042051A1 - Controlling antenna combinations

Info

Publication number: WO2011042051A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/062989
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seppo Rousu; Marko Leinonen
Original assignee: Nokia Corporation
Priority date: 2009-10-06
Filing date: 2009-10-06
Publication date: 2011-04-14

Abstract

An apparatus including: an input interface (3) configured to receive a plurality of detection inputs from a plurality of detectors (10A-10C); detection circuitry (4) configured to detect a pattern in the plurality of detection inputs; and control circuitry (6) configured to enable different combinations of the plurality of antennas (16A-16D) in response to different detected patterns in the plurality of detection inputs, wherein each combination comprises at least two antennas.

Description

TITLE

CONTROLLING ANTENNA COMBINATIONS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to multiple antennas. In particular, they relate to enabling the use of different combinations of multiple antennas. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Radio communication has as its object the aim of communicating information using a limited spectrum of radio frequencies. The radio frequency band is a shared resource and it is important that it is shared effectively.

Effective use of the radio spectrum may be compromised as a result of interference. Interference may, for example, arise because radio waves are attenuated before reception or because noise and/or interference prevents proper reception. An internal interference signal at a receiver may be generated by a radio transmitter attempting to transmit information. An external interference signal at a receiver may be generated by an external radio transmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising an input interface configured to receive a plurality of detection inputs from a plurality of detectors; detection circuitry configured to detect a pattern in the plurality of detection inputs; and control circuitry configured to enable different combinations of the plurality of antennas in response to different detected patterns in the plurality of detection inputs, wherein each combination comprises at least two antennas.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method comprising: receiving a plurality of detection inputs from a plurality of detectors; detecting a pattern in the plurality of detection inputs; and enabling different combinations of a plurality of antennas in response to different detected patterns in the plurality of detection inputs, wherein each combination comprises at least two antennas. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: a plurality of antennas located at different locations; a plurality of detectors, wherein each one of the plurality of detectors is associated with an antenna and detects an operational radio parameter of its associated antenna to produce a detector output; and a controller configured to receive the plurality of detector outputs from the plurality of detectors and to detect a pattern in the plurality of detector outputs and configured to enable different combinations of the plurality of antennas, wherein each combination comprises at least two antennas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig 1 schematically illustrates an example of a controller apparatus for enabling different combinations of antennas;

Fig 2 schematically illustrates an example of a system comprising the controller apparatus;

Fig 3 illustrates an example of a method for enabling different combinations of antennas;

Fig 4 illustrates an arrangement of proximity detectors;

Fig 5 schematically illustrates an example of a system comprising the controller apparatus;

Fig 6 schematically illustrates an example of a system comprising the controller apparatus;

Fig 7 schematically illustrates an example of a system comprising the controller apparatus;

Fig 8 schematically illustrates an example of a system comprising the controller apparatus; and

Fig 9 schematically illustrates an example of an implementation of a controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Fig 1 schematically illustrates an example of a controller apparatus 2 for enabling different combinations of antennas.

The apparatus 2 comprises an input interface configured to receive a plurality of detection operational radio parameters 1 1 from a plurality of detectors; detection circuitry 4 configured to detect a pattern in the plurality of detection operational radio parameters 1 1 ; and control circuitry 6 configured to enable different combinations of a plurality of antennas in response to different detected patterns in the plurality of detection inputs.

Fig 2 schematically illustrates an example of a system 1 comprising the controller apparatus 2.

The system 1 comprises: a plurality of detectors 10A, 10B, 10C; the controller apparatus 2, a switch 12, a plurality of radio systems 14A, 14B, 14C and a plurality of antennas 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D. The switch 12 is configured to simultaneously connect multiple radio systems 14 to different combinations of antennas 16. The first radio system 14A may use, via the switch 12, any one of a first set of different combinations of the antennas 16A-16D. The second radio system 14B may use, via the switch 12, any one of a second set of different combinations of the antennas 16A-16D. The third radio system 14C may use, via the switch 12, any one of a third set of different combinations of the antennas 16A-16D. Some or all of the antennas 16A-16D may be included in the different sets. The first, second and third sets may be the same or different.

A radio systems 14A-14C may be implemented as stand alone functionality that is separate to the controller apparatus 2 (as illustrated) or may be implemented as an integral part of the controller apparatus 2 (not illustrated). Some of the radio systems may be implemented as stand alone functionality whereas other radio systems may be implemented as integral parts of the controller apparatus 2. Radio systems 14A-14C are associated with corresponding radio (de)modulators 19A-19C that will form received information for the radio systems and/or form transmitted information for the radio systems. A (de)modulators 19A-19C may be implemented as functionality that is separate to the controller apparatus 2 and the radio systems 14A-14C (as illustrated) or may be implemented as an integral part of a corresponding radio system 14A-14C or may be implemented as an integral part of the controller apparatus 2. Each combination in a set comprises at least two antennas.

The radio systems 14 may include one or more long range radio systems, for example, one or more cellular transceivers. The radio systems 14 may include one or more shorter range radio systems.

A long range radio system is for the purposes of this document one that can communicate using direct radio communication over a range that is greater than 500m. Examples of long range radio systems include, for example, a cellular communication radio system, broadcast systems like television, frequency modulation (FM) or amplitude modulation (AM) radio, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), satellite radios such as, for example, .positioning systems (Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo and Glonass) and satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS). A short range radio system is for the purposes of this document one that predominantly transfers information using direct radio communication over a range that is less than 200m. Examples of short range short range radio systems include, for example, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Bluetooth, Near Field Communications (NFC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Ultra Wideband (UWB), wireless universal serial bus (W-USB).

None, one or more of the radio systems may be configured for diversity transmission using multiple antennas simultaneously. As one example, none, one or more of the radio systems may be configured to provide multiple output (MO) for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication. None, one or more of the radio systems may be configured for a MIMO reception or a diversity reception using multiple antennas simultaneously. As one example, none, one or more of the radio systems may be configured to provide multiple input (Ml) for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication.

Table 1 includes a non exhaustive list of possible radio systems and their operational frequencies. Although certain operational frequencies and radio systems are included in the table, it should be understood that these are examples and any operational frequency and any radio system regardless of the used modulation method may be used.

From the table, it can be observed that all of these radio systems have a operational frequencies that lies within the range 2.3-2.7 GHz. The antennas 16 may therefore be configured to have an 'operational bandwidth' that covers this frequency range. Operational bandwidth is a frequency range over which an antenna can efficiently operate. Efficient operation occurs, for example, when the antenna's input reflection coefficient S1 1 is greater than an operational threshold such as 4dB or 6dB. An antenna may have an operational bandwidth which covers both transmission and reception frequencies or the antenna may cover either transmission or reception frequencies.

The characteristics of an antenna, such as operational bandwidth, may be programmable, for example, a level or location of an attenuation may be tuneable with a control signal 7. For example, tuneable characteristics of a filter used with the antenna may be at least one of: a pass band attenuation, a stop band attenuation or an out of band attenuation.

One or more of the antennas 16A-16D may be designed so that it attenuates an incoming and/or outgoing radiation at certain frequency ranges in order to attenuate unwanted interference to a receiver and /or attenuate unwanted transmission frequencies. The attenuation may be located at a beginning of an operational band or the attenuation may be located at out of band frequencies.

In an embodiment an antenna may have attenuation (as described in the preceding paragraph) at a lower frequency side of an operational band or a part of an operational band at lower side may be attenuated. A second antenna may have attenuation (as described) at a higher frequency side of the operational band or part of the operational band at a higher side of the operational band may be attenuated. The enabled combination of a plurality of antennas may be selected so that interference levels are minimized in this embodiment. As an example, a suitable antenna may be e.g. a ceramic antenna with a notch filter. The attenuation of the filter may be fixed or tuneable with a control signal 7. The control signal 7 may control the mode of the filter which may be a low pass, a high pass, a band pass, a duplexer, a diplexer, a triplexer or a filter structure with a number of inputs and outputs for communication signals. Additionally the control signal may control a centre frequency of the filter.

An embodiment may contain multiple filters associated with a signal path. The enabled combination of a plurality of antennas may be selected so that an interference level of a transmission and/or reception signal is minimized. In a first condition a signal is conveyed via a first filter when an interference level is lower than a threshold value and in a second condition a signal is convoyed via a second filter with a greater attenuation when increased attenuation is needed for an interference co-existence. This kind of operational condition may occur when a frequency separation of systems is narrow or OHz e.g. WLAN and LTE band 7 / LTE band 40. One implementation embodiment is to use a split band antenna and / or a split band filter.

In an alternative embodiment antenna and filter selection can be changed according to transmission / reception activity. Radio systems 16 may have different transmission activity and reception activity, e.g. FDD systems have transmission and reception concurrent activity and in TDD transmission and reception are scheduled for different time slots. TDD systems e.g. WLAN and LTE band 40 are TDD systems but those transmission / reception activities are different. Radio systems may be coordinated so that they know each communication activity or uncoordinated so that those do not know each timings.

In an alternative embodiment a data class or a MIMO category may be upgraded / downgraded according to a present interference condition. In a further embodiment an antenna(s) used by a second radio system may be converted to function as a first radio system antenna(s). In this embodiment second radio system data class/ MIMO category is degraded or may be e.g. in idle mode and a first radio system data class / MIMO category is altered and in this case upgraded. A changed data class / MIMO category capability / a number of supported antennas may be indicated to a remote entity such as the network, base station, relay, router or e.g. other terminal as a part of a handshaking routine prior to a change. The remote entity may modify at least one or more of communication parameters: an activity of the communication, a number of used antennas, a number of data streams or a data class a MIMO category, a used communication modulation, a number of resource blocks of the communication, a location of the resource blocks within the communication bandwidth, a bandwidth of the communication, a operational frequency of the communication, based on the communicated antenna change. If the remote entity will change a communication parameter based on the terminal request, then a new communication parameter is communicated to the terminal prior the change. In an alternative embodiment a radio system may be operational in at least two frequency bands for reception or/and transmission. A first receiver radio system 14A may be active e.g. at 1 GHz frequency range and a second receiver radio system 14B may be active e.g. at 2 GHz frequency range. The receiver radio systems may have their own antennas (e.g. 16A and 16B) or the antenna functionality of the receiver radio systems may be shared e.g. with a diplexer, a duplexer or a divider. The transmitter radio systems may have their own antennas or the antenna functionality of the transmitter radio systems may be shared e.g. with a diplexer, a duplexer or a divider.

In an embodiment the first and the second transceiver radio systems may be combined to a common antenna. The functionality of used antennas may be altered in order to improve an interference condition between a first receiver, a second receiver, a first transceiver, a second transceiver, and/or a third active radio system. The interference condition may be characterised by at least one of: a fundamental frequency transmission power, a harmonic power, a fundamental ACLR (Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio), a harmonic ACLR, an out of band emission, a cross modulation, a inter modulation, a blocking signal level, a transmission activity, a reception activity, a transmission frequency, a reception frequency.

In an embodiment a radio system may have an alternate transceiver for communication. The alternate transceiver may have its own antennas and antenna paths with filters/ switches or alternatively at least some of antenna paths with filters/ switches may be shared with the first transceiver of the radio system. Signal paths for the first and the alternative transceivers may have different frequency responses, amplitude responses and phase responses. In this embodiment the active transceiver may be selected according to a present interference condition, a power consumption condition of alternative transceivers or according to a scoring. In an embodiment a transceiver may have capability to modify its transmission/reception spectrum in order to improve an interference condition. The spectrum modification may be done at least by one of: a frequency response tuning of the antenna, an amplitude response tuning of the antenna, a phase response tuning of the antenna, using alternative filters, altering transmission bandwidth, altering ACLR level of the spectrum of the transmission, altering ACLR left / right side balance of the transmission.

Each antenna may have a different polarization, wherein each polarization characterizes the electric field of the most efficiently transmitted/received radio wave

Each antenna may have a different radiation vector comprising, as components, at least its associated antenna position, operational bandwidth and its directional gain.

Different combinations of antennas may include antennas in which one or more of the antenna position, and the antenna polarization are different.

The number of antennas included in a combination used for a radio system may change or may stay the same when the combination is changed. A Change in antenna combination may be indicated to a remote entity such as a network, base station, relay, router or e.g. other terminal during handshaking.

Each of the detectors 10A, 10B, 10C may be a single detector or may be a number of detectors. Each one of the plurality of detectors produces an input 1 1 to the controller apparatus 2.

In some embodiments, the input 1 1 from a detector may identify an operational radio parameter of an antenna associated with the detector. An operational radio parameter is a parameter that is indicative of operational performance and is suitable by itself or with other operational radio parameters of indicating sub-optimal performance

A non-exhaustive list of detectors includes detectors that provide an input 1 1 relating to one or more operational radio parameters. An operational radio parameter is a parameter that describes a characteristic of how a radio system is operating or a parameter that describes a characteristic of an environment or context of a radio system that may impact upon its operation.

A non-exhaustive list of operational radio parameters include parameters that describe a characteristic of how a radio system is operating such as, for example, one or more of: a reception error rate; out-of-band interference signal level, in-band interference signal level, inter-radio system interference signal level; antenna performance characteristics; radio frequency (RF) branch power; base station power control command, communication data rate, a transmission power level, a reception frequency, a transmission frequency, a reception modulation, a transmission modulation, a noise signal level, a signal-to-noise ratio of a received and/or transmission signal, a MIMO data class, a transmission bandwidth, a reception bandwidth, a location and/ or a number of resource blocks in transmission, ; a location and/ or a number of resource blocks in reception, an adjacent(s) channel power in transmission, a harmonic(s) power in transmission, a harmonics adjacent channel(s) power, a transmission carrier(s) location, a inter band transmission carrier(s) location, a reception carrier(s) location, a inter band reception carrier(s) location, , emission spectrum properties, capability to modify emission spectrum, a transmission activity, a reception activity.

The non-exhaustive list of operational radio parameters may include parameters that describes a characteristic of an environment or context of a radio system that may impact upon its operation such as, for example, one or more of a proximity detection indicators; location indicators; and physical configuration indicators.

Some detectors 10 may, for example, be located in association with the antennas 16, For example, the detectors may be power coupling devices such as 10A-10D in Fig 5 and 10A-10C in Fig 6. Some detectors 10 may, for example, be located is association with the radio systems 14. For example, the detectors may be implemented in hardware and detect bit/frame/packet error rate, signal strength, interference level or performance such as detectors 10E-10H in Fig 5. Detectors 10E-10H may be located in (de)modulation functionality 19E-19H, which are not shown in the figure due to clarity of the figure.

Some detectors 10 may, for example, be located in association with digital signal processing. For example, the detectors may be implemented in software and detect bit/frame/packet error rate, signal strength, interference level. Some detectors 10 may, for example, be positioned at different locations and detect the proximity of other objects e.g. using capacitance. For example, the detectors 101 in Fig 5 and the detectors 10A-10I in Fig 4 may be implemented as proximity detectors in hardware.

Some detectors 10 may detect physical configuration, such as how mechanical parts are connected or how mechanical parts are located in relation to each other. For example a detector 10 may detect which connection port an accessory device is connected to and this information may be used in deciding which antennas will be used. An example of this is presented in Fig 8, where a Universal Serial Bus (USB) dongle or stick may be connected to a laptop computer 30 into one of multiple USB connectors. Alternatively a detector 10 may detect if a mechanical part position has changed and thus relative antenna locations have been altered. An example of this is a flip mobile phone shown in figure 4, when a flip cover is opened from a closed position.

Referring to Fig 4, a plurality of antennas 16A-16F are located at different positions on the hand held communication apparatus 25. One or more proximity detectors is associated with at least one of antennas. As an example the antenna 16A is associated with the detectors 10A, 10B. The antenna 16B is associated with the detectors 10B, 10D. The antenna 16C is associated with the detectors 10F, 10H. The antenna 16D is associated with the detector 101. The antenna 16E is associated with the detectors 10E, 10G. The antenna 16F is associated with the detector 10C. The presence of an object such as a user's hand adjacent an antenna will degrade its performance. This sub-optimal performance is detected by the controller apparatus 2 using the operational radio parameters operational radio parameters 1 1 input from the detectors 10. If, for example, a user's hand is covering the detectors 10G, 101 and 10H, then the operational radio parameters from these detectors will indicate a proximal object. This pattern in the operational radio parameters 1 1 indicates that the antennas 16E, 16D and 16C have sub-optimal performance. The combinations of antennas 16 enabled by the controller 2 for use in response to this detection will include the antennas 16A, 16B, 16F but not 16C, 16D, 16E.

Referring to Fig 3, a method 20 of enabling combinations of antennas is illustrated. At block 21 , a plurality of detection operational radio parameters 1 1 are received from a plurality of detectors 10.

At block 22, the detection circuitry 4 of the controller apparatus 2 detects a pattern in the plurality of detected operational radio parameters 1 1 . The detection circuitry 4 of the controller apparatus 2 is configured to discriminate patterns in the plurality of detected operational radio parameters 1 1 indicative of sub-optimal radio communication performance from other patterns in the plurality of detected operational radio parameters 1 1 .

At block 23, the control circuitry 6 of the controller apparatus 2 enables different combinations of the plurality of antennas 16 in response to different detected patterns in the plurality of detected operational radio parameters 1 1 . Each combination may comprise at least two antennas.

The control circuitry 6 of the controller apparatus 2, in response to a pattern in the plurality of detected operational radio parameters 1 1 indicative of sub-optimal radio communication, changes the combination of the antennas to a new combination of antennas. The new combination of the plurality of antennas may improve radio communication.

The control circuitry 6 of the controller apparatus 2, in response to a pattern in the plurality of detection operational radio parameters not indicative of sub-optimal radio communication, does not change the combination of antennas to a new combination of antennas.

Consequently, the control circuitry 6 of the controller apparatus 2, in response to a first detected sub-optimal pattern of detected operational radio parameters 1 1 , automatically enables a first sub-combination of multiple antennas that are used simultaneously for an on-going communication and in response to a subsequent second detected sub-optimal pattern of detected operational radio parameters, automatically enables a second, different sub-combination of multiple antennas that are used simultaneously for an on-going communication. The sub-combinations comprise at least two antennas. There may be overlap but not coincidence between the first sub-combination and the second sub-combination.

The detection circuitry 4 may be configured to identify one or more inter-system patterns indicative of sub-optimal inter radio system performance. This may occur when, for example, transmissions from one radio system are received at another radio system.

The cause of this may be poor isolation between the antennas 16. The detection circuitry 4 can identify this as a likely cause because of the distinctive pattern of detected operational radio parameters 1 1 that indicate a reception error rate or interference signal level. The control circuitry 6 resolves the problem by selection of antennas 16 for the different radio systems 14 that have greater antenna isolation. The cause may alternatively arise because one or more antennas 16 are externally attenuated and this increases susceptibility to interference or the reduced detected power results in commands from a base station that increase transmission power. The detection circuitry 4 can identify this as a likely cause because of the distinctive pattern of detected operational radio parameters 1 1 that indicate attenuation of an antenna by a proximal object. The control circuitry 6 resolves the problem by selection of antennas for the different radio systems that are not attenuated.

The control circuitry 6 may have an algorithm that allocates scores to putative combinations of antennas based upon the detected pattern of detected operational radio parameters 1 1 . The algorithm may select for use the putative combination relating to multiple radio systems with the greatest score.

The detection circuitry 4 may be configured to identify one or more intra-system patterns indicative of sub-optimal inter radio system performance. This may occur when, for example, transmissions to one radio system 14 are differentially received because of interference or attenuation, for example. The detection circuitry 4 can identify the distinctive pattern of detection operational radio parameters 1 1 that indicate either error rate or interference or attenuation. The control circuitry 6 resolves the problem by selection of a different combination of antennas for the radio system that equalizes antenna performance for the radio system by obviating the effects of differential operational conditions affecting the different antennas

The control circuitry 6 may have an algorithm that allocates scores to putative combinations of antennas for a radio system based upon the detected pattern of detection operational radio parameters 1 1 . The algorithm may select for use with that radio system the putative combination with the greatest score. In an embodiment a user may select via a user interface to operate in power saving mode, then the power consumption importance in the algorithm is given greater weight such that selection becomes biased towards the less power demanding combinations.

Fig 5 schematically illustrates an example of a system 1 comprising the controller apparatus 2. The example illustrated is similar to that illustrated in Fig 2. The system 1 additionally comprises a main control unit 18 which controls the radio systems 14. The main control unit 18 may be a digital signal processing unit such as a general purpose central processing unit or such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The system also comprises I/O devices 19 for providing input to the main control unit 18 from peripheral devices such as keyboards, chargers, detectors 101 etc. and for providing input from the main control unit 18 to peripheral devices such as chargers, displays etc.

Referring to Fig 5, the illustrated example of a system 1 comprises a number of detectors 10. Each one of the plurality of detectors produces an operational radio parameters 1 1 to the controller apparatus 2.

In Fig 5, some detectors 10A-10D may, for example, be located is association with the antennas 16. For example, the detectors may be power coupling devices that provide, as operational radio parameters 1 1 , information to the controller 2 about at least one of a received signal power level, a transmitted signal power level, a interference signal level, a reflected signal power level, an antenna mismatch condition, a harmonic power level, a reflected harmonic power, a harmonic ACLR level, a reflected harmonic ACLR level . In Fig 5, some detectors 10E-10H may, for example, be located is association with the radio systems 14. For example, the detectors 10 may be implemented in hardware or alternatively in software and detect reception error rate, an interference signal condition or performance metrics and provide the metrics to the controller 2 as operational radio parameters 1 1 .

In Fig 5, some detectors 101 may, for example, be peripherals positioned at different locations and detect the proximity of other objects e.g. using capacitance. For example, the detectors 101 may be implemented as proximity detectors in hardware. Proximity detection signals are provided to the controller 2 as operational radio parameters 1 1 .

In Fig 5, some detectors 10J may, for example, be located is association with digital signal processing at the main control unit 18. For example, the detectors 10J may be implemented in software and detect bit error rates as operational radio parameters 1 1 .

The detection circuitry 4 of the controller 2 may be configured to detect any pattern in the detected operational radio parameters I of the detectors 10A-10J or any sub set of the detected operational radio parameters.

The control circuitry 6 of the controller 2 may be configured to enable different combinations of any of the plurality of antennas 16A-16D or any subset of the plurality of antennas 16A-16D in response to different detected patterns in the plurality of detected operational radio parameters. Combination comprises at least two antennas 16.

Although the controller 2 is illustrated as a separate component to the switch 12 and the main control unit 18, in some embodiments it may be integrated with the switch 12, for example as part of a radio frequency chip set module. In other embodiments the controller 2 may be integrated with the main control unit 18, for example as part of a digital signal processing chip set. In still other embodiments, the controller 2 may be distributed across different locations. Fig 6 schematically illustrates an example of a system 1 comprising the controller apparatus 2. The system 1 is similar to the system 1 illustrated in Fig 5.

Fig 6, however, illustrates some examples of possible radio systems 14A, 14B and details of an example of a switch 12.

A first radio system 14A is configured for 2.5GHz LTE operation (FDD with MIMO reception or TDD with MIMO reception). Table 1 gives the operational frequency for transmission and reception.

A second radio system 14B is configured for WLAN-N and WLAN with Bluetooth operation. Table 1 gives the operational frequency bands for transmission and reception for WLAN-N. Table 1 gives the operational frequency bands for transmission and reception for WLAN with Bluetooth.

The switch 12 is configured such that any one of the transmission or reception subsystems of the first radio system 14A or the second radio system 14B can use the antenna 16C. The switch 12 is configured such that only a first subset of the transmission or reception sub-systems of the first radio system 14A or the second radio system 14B can use the antenna 16A.

The switch 12 is configured such that only a second subset of the transmission or reception sub-systems of the first radio system 14A or the second radio system 14B can use the antenna 16B.

The first subset and the second subset in this example do not intersect and their union is the set of all the transmission or reception sub-systems of the first radio system 14A and the second radio system 14B.

In the example illustrated, the first subset includes the transmission sub-systems of the first radio system 14A and one of the two reception subsystems of the first radio system 14A. The second subset includes the transmission sub-system and reception sub-systems of the second radio system 14B and the second reception sub-system of the second radio system 14B.

The first radio system 14A can use its two transmission radio sub-systems simultaneously via the antenna 16A and the antenna 16C. It is capable of MIMO transmission.

The first radio system 14A can use its first reception radio sub-system for MIMO by using simultaneously the antenna 16A and the antenna 16C.

The first radio system 14A can use its second reception radio sub-system for MIMO by using simultaneously the antenna 16B and the antenna 16C.

The second radio system 14A can perform MIMO reception by simultaneously using the antenna 16C and the antenna 16B.

The switch 12 is configured so that at any one time an antenna is only used by one sub-system of one radio system to avoid interference. A first bank of switches has a series of switches. A switch comprises an input node associated with a radio sub-system and two output nodes associated with different antennas. Each switch toggles between two states. In a first state an input from a radio sub-system is connected to either an output node that services a first antenna 16C or an output node that services a second antenna 16A. The bank of switches are arranged so that they each have an input node connected to a different radio sub-system and each have first output nodes connected to the first antenna 16C and second output nodes connected to the second antenna 16A.

A first bank of switches has a series of switches. A switch comprises an input node associated with a radio sub-system and two output nodes associated with different antennas. Each switch toggles between two states. In a first state an input from a switch-dependent radio sub-system is connected to either an output node that services a first antenna 16C or an output node that services a third antenna 16B. The bank of switches are arranged so that they each have an input node connected to a different radio sub-system and each have first output nodes connected to the first antenna 16C and second output nodes connected to the third antenna 16B

In this and other examples, the switch 12 may be integrated on to a module that comprises the radio sub-systems.

Fig 7 schematically illustrates an example of an extension 1 A to a system 1 such as that illustrated in Fig 6. The extension 1 A comprises an additional lower frequency radio system 14C, additional lower frequency antennas 16D, 16E, 16F and 16G and an additional switch 12A. The switch control s which combination of antennas 16D- 16G are used by the additional lower frequency radio system 14C.

In this example, because of the lower frequencies used, the electrical lengths of the antennas increases and it may not be possible to house any or all of the antennas 16D-16G within the system 1 . In the illustrated example, interconnecting leads or wires that connect the system 1 to other apparatus are also used as antennas. For example, the wire 25 that connects the system 1 to a mains power supply charger is used as antenna 16D. For example, the USB cable 26 that connects the system 1 to a remote apparatus is used as antenna 16E.

Fig 8 schematically illustrates an example of a system comprising the controller apparatus 2.

In this example a host computer apparatus 30 such as a laptop computer comprises the main control unit 18. In this example, the controller 2 is performed by software running on the main processor 18.

The host computer device comprises some radio systems such as a WLAN radio system 14A, a DVB radio system 14B and a cellular radio system 14C. These radio systems may be enabled using integrated chipsets or added peripheral cards. The WLAN radio system 14A is associated with antennas 16D, 16E. The DVB radio system 14B is associated with an external antenna 16F and/or an internal antenna 16G. The cellular radio system 14C is associated with antenna 16A and/or internal antenna(s) 16H. The host computer device 30 also comprises a number of external interface ports 32 such as USB interfaces. The external interface 32A is connected to a cellular antenna 16C and the external interface 32B is connected to a mobile device 34 comprising at least a cellular antenna 16B.

The controller 2 within the main control unit 18 may be configured to enable different combinations of all or some of the available antennas 16A-16F depending on what sub-systems need to communicate simultaneously and based on input from the detectors (not illustrated in this Fig).

The controller 2 may, for example, detect that an external interface port 32 is in use, then automatically estimate consequent interference from/to antennas and then automatically select the most suitable antennas for each of the radios systems 14. In an alternative embodiment embedded software 40 shown in a display of the computer apparatus 30 in Fig 8 may indicate the external interface port use to the user of the computer apparatus 30 and/or guide the user of the computer apparatus 30 to change a connected device from one external interface port to another, different, external interface port 32 that has less adverse impact of the radio systems 14.

Implementation of the controller can be in hardware alone (a circuit, a processor...), have certain aspects in software including firmware alone or can be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

Fig 9 schematically illustrates an example of an implementation of a controller.

The controller comprises a processor 40 and a memory 42 storing machine readable instructions 44. The processor 40 and the memory 42 interoperate to provide the detection circuitry 4 and control circuitry 6.

The controller 2 may be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable computer program instructions in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor that may be stored on a computer readable storage medium (disk, memory etc) to be executed by such a processor. The processor 40 is configured to read from and write to the memory 42. The processor 40 may also comprise an output interface 5 via which data and/or commands 5 are output by the processor 40 and an input interface 3 via which data 1 1 input to the processor 40.

The memory 42 stores a computer program 44 comprising computer program instructions that control the operation of the apparatus when loaded into the processor 40. The computer program instructions 44 provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus to perform the methods illustrated in the Figs. The processor 40 by reading the memory 42 is able to load and execute the computer program 44.

The computer program may arrive at the apparatus via any suitable delivery mechanism 46. The delivery mechanism 46 may be, for example, a computer- readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a record medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, an article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program 44. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program 44. Although the memory 42 is illustrated as a single component it may be implemented as one or more separate components some or all of which may be

integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent/semi-permanent/

dynamic/cached storage. References to 'computer-readable storage medium', 'computer program product', 'tangibly embodied computer program' etc. or a 'controller', 'computer', 'processor' etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single /multi- processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann)/parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field- programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other devices. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc. As used here 'module' refers to a unit or apparatus that excludes certain

parts/components that would be added by an end manufacturer or a user.

The system 1 may be a mobile radio apparatus such as a mobile cellular telephone and/or a hand-held radio communications terminal.

The blocks illustrated in the Fig 3 may represent steps in a method and/or sections of code in the computer program 44. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some steps to be omitted.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Embodiments may be used e.g. in chipset, product, terminal, media device, TV, relay, router, network node, computer device etc device having communication capability via antenna interface. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon. l/we claim:

Claims

1 . An apparatus comprising

an input interface configured to receive a plurality of detection inputs from a plurality of detectors;

detection circuitry configured to detect a pattern in the plurality of detection inputs; and

control circuitry configured to enable different combinations of the plurality of antennas in response to different detected patterns in the plurality of detection inputs, wherein each combination comprises at least two antennas.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the detection inputs comprise information relating to an operational radio parameter.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the detection inputs comprise information that describes at least one characteristic of how a radio system is operating.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the detection inputs comprise one or more of: a reception error rate; out-of-band interference signal level; in-band interference signal level; inter-radio system interference signal level; antenna performance characteristics; radio frequency (RF) branch power; base station power control command; communication data rate; a transmission power level; a reception frequency; a transmission frequency; a reception modulation; a transmission modulation; a noise signal level; a signal-to-noise ratio of a received and/or transmission signal; a MIMO data class; a transmission bandwidth; a reception bandwidth; a location and/ or a number of resource blocks in transmission; a location and/ or a number of resource blocks in reception; an adjacent(s) channel power in transmission; an harmonic(s) power in transmission; an harmonic's adjacent channel(s) power; a transmission carrier(s) location; an inter band transmission carrier(s) location; a reception carrier(s) location; an inter band reception carrier(s) location; emission spectrum properties; capability to modify emission spectrum; a transmission activity; and a reception activity.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the detection inputs comprise information that describes a characteristic of an environment or context of a radio system that may impact upon its operation.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the detection inputs comprise one or more of a proximity detection indicators; location indicators; and physical configuration indicators.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control circuitry is configured to change the combination of the plurality of antennas to a new combination of the plurality of antennas in response to a pattern in the plurality of detection inputs indicative of sub-optimal radio communication, wherein the new combination of the plurality of antennas improves radio communication.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the new combination of the plurality of antennas increases antenna isolation between radio systems.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the new combination of the plurality of antennas achieves balance between radio systems and the balance is defined at least by one of a communication data rate, a power level of communication signals, a communication reception error rate.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the new combination of the plurality of antennas maximizes a performance score for radio systems.

1 1 . An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the detection circuitry is configured to discriminate patterns in the plurality of detection inputs indicative of sub-optimal radio communication performance from other patterns in the plurality of detection inputs.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control circuitry is configured not to change the combination of the plurality of antennas to a new combination of the plurality of antennas in response to discrimination of a pattern in the plurality of detection inputs as not indicative of sub-optimal radio communication.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the detection circuitry is configured to identify one or more inter-system patterns indicative of sub-optimal inter radio system performance.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the detection circuitry is configured to identify one or more intra-system patterns indicative of sub-optimal intra radio system performance:

15. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each combination of the plurality of antennas has a different combination of antenna polarization, operational bandwidth and antenna position such that each combination is differentiated from another combination by one or more of antenna polarization, operational bandwidth and antenna position.

16. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control circuitry is configured to:

enable, in response to a first detected pattern, a first sub-combination of multiple antennas that are used simultaneously for an on-going communication;

enable, in response to a second detected pattern, a second, different sub- combination of multiple antennas that are used simultaneously for an on-going communication

wherein the first sub-combination comprises a first plurality of the multiple antennas and the second sub-combination comprises a second plurality of the multiple antennas including one or more, but not all, of the first plurality of antennas.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the number of antennas in the first plurality is the same as the number of antennas in the second plurality.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the number of antennas in the first plurality is different to the number of antennas in the second plurality.

19. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a processor and a memory storing machine readable instructions interoperate to provide the detection circuitry and the control circuitry.

20. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, integrated into a module that additionally comprises radio frequency circuitry for a plurality of radio systems that are configured to communicate simultaneously.

21 . An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, integrated into a mobile radio apparatus that additionally comprises radio frequency circuitry for a plurality of radio systems that are configured to communicate simultaneously.

22. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, comprised within a host device having an interface configured to connect to one or more external antennas wherein the apparatus is configured to enable different combinations of the plurality of antennas, including any external antennas, in response to different detected patterns in the plurality of detection inputs, wherein each combination comprises at least two antennas.

23. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein a change of antenna configuration is communicated to a remote entity prior to the change of the antenna configuration.

24. A system comprising:

an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23; and

detectors configured to provide detector inputs to the apparatus.

25. A system as claimed in claim 24, wherein one or more of the detectors are power coupling devices.

26. A system as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein one or more of the detectors are proximity detectors at different locations.

27. A system as claimed in claim 24, 25 or 26, further comprising a plurality of antennas wherein each antenna has at different polarization or position.

28. A system as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 27, further comprising a plurality of radio systems that share a common communication frequency band or have overlapping operational frequency bands, configured for simultaneous communication

29. A system as claimed in claims 24 to 28, further comprising one or more shared antennas that are usable, but not simultaneously, by different radio systems.

30. A system as claimed in claim 27 or 28, wherein the radio systems include at least one of: a long range radio system , a shorter range radio system, and a satellite radio system .

31 . A system comprising:

a remote entity comprising radio frequency circuitry for at least one radio system; and an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, integrated into a mobile radio apparatus that additionally comprises radio frequency circuitry for a plurality of radio systems that are configured to send a radio message communicating a change of antenna configuration to the remote entity prior to the change of the antenna configuration.

32. A system as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the remote entity is configured to change a communication parameter based on the radio message and to send the changed communication parameter to the apparatus.

33. A method comprising:

receiving a plurality of detection inputs from a plurality of detectors;

detecting a pattern in the plurality of detection inputs; and

enabling different combinations of a plurality of antennas in response to different detected patterns in the plurality of detection inputs, wherein each combination comprises at least two antennas.

34. A method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising: changing the combination of the plurality of antennas to a new combination of the plurality of antennas in response to a pattern in the plurality of detection inputs indicative of sub-optimal radio communication, wherein the new combination of the plurality of antennas improves radio communication.

35. A method as claimed in claim 34, further comprising selecting the new combination of the plurality of antennas to increase antenna isolation between radio systems.

36. A method as claimed in claim 34, further comprising selecting the new combination of the plurality of antennas to achieve balance between radio systems.

37. A method as claimed in claim 34, further comprising selecting the new combination of the plurality of antennas to maximize a performance score for radio systems.

38. A method as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 37, further comprising discriminating patterns in the plurality of detection inputs indicative of sub-optimal radio communication performance from other patterns in the plurality of detection inputs.

39. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 38, further comprising identifying one or more inter-system patterns indicative of sub-optimal inter radio system performance.

40. A method as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 38, further comprising identifying one or more intra-system patterns indicative of sub-optimal intra radio system performance.

41 . A computer program comprising instructions which when loaded into a processor enable the processor to perform a method as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 40.

42. An apparatus comprising one or means for performing the methods of any one of claims 33 to 41 .

43. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of antennas located at different locations;

a plurality of detectors, wherein each one of the plurality of detectors is associated with an antenna and detects an operational radio parameter of its associated antenna to produce a detector output; and a controller configured to receive the plurality of detector outputs from the plurality of detectors and to detect a pattern in the plurality of detector outputs and configured to enable different combinations of the plurality of antennas, wherein each combination comprises at least two antennas.