Multi-protocol interchip interface

Abstract

An interface between radios supporting different air interfaces is disclosed that avoids some of the costs and disadvantages associated with inter-radio interfaces in the prior art. The present invention enables the needed coordination across multiple wireless protocols, such as 802.11 and Bluetooth, by providing a communication link spanning different integrated circuits when each radio is on a separate integrated circuit. This low cost, low complexity link can be added to standard integrated circuits produced by individual companies without adding appreciably to the overall cost of the integrated circuits.

1. An antenna switching system comprising:
 a first transceiver of a plurality of transceivers; 
 a first processor configured to process an application stored in memory; 
 a second transceiver of the plurality of transceivers electrically connected between the first processor and the first transceiver, the second transceiver configured to relay messages from the first processor to the first transceiver; 
 a switch configured to connect a plurality of transceivers to at least one antenna; and 
 a second processor configured to control the connection of the switch to one or more of the first and second transceivers. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of transceivers is configured to transceive on a transmission medium with a first protocol. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the plurality of transceivers is configured to transceive on a transmission medium with a second protocol. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the second transceiver is configured to receive data blocks from the first processor and transmit the data blocks on a data bus to the first transceiver. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one antenna electrically connected to the switch. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second protocols is Bluetooth. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second protocols is IEEE 802.11. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second processor is configured to receive an idle indication signal from one of the first and second transceivers. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second processor is configured to transmit a transmit inhibit signal to one of the first and second transceivers. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna switching system is included in a wireless radio. 
     
     
       11. A method of switching of at least one antenna:
 providing at least a first transceiver and a second transceiver of a plurality of transceivers; 
 providing a signal from a first processor to a first transceiver of the plurality of transceivers electrically connected between the first processor and the second transceiver; 
 determining whether the signal is to be transmitted by the first transceiver or the second transceiver; 
 relaying the signal from the first transceiver to the second transceiver if the determination is made that the data is to be transmitted by the second transceiver; and 
 switching an antenna switch to electrically connect one of the first and second transceivers to at least one antenna of a plurality of antennas, the connected transceiver corresponding to the determination of whether the signal is be transmitted by the first transceiver or the second transceiver. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising configuring the first transceiver of the plurality of transceivers to transceive with a first protocol and the second transceiver of the plurality of transceivers to transceive with a second protocol. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising transmitting wherein at least one of the plurality of transceivers is configured to transceive on a transmission medium with a second protocol. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising configuring the first transceiver to receive the signal from the first processor and transmit the signal on a data bus to the second transceiver. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising transmitting the signal through the at least one antenna. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second protocols is Bluetooth. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second protocols is IEEE 802.11. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising receiving by a second processor an idle indication signal from one of the first and second transceivers. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising switching the antenna switch corresponding to the reception of the idle indication signal. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising transmitting by a second processor a transmit inhibit signal to one of the first and second transceivers, the transmit inhibit signal corresponding to the switching of the antenna switch. 
     
     
       21. A radio comprising:
 a transmitter and a receiver for communicating according to a first wireless protocol;   a channel-access controller configured to generate antenna switch control signals to selectively connect an antenna to the transmitter and receiver; and   a host interface for receiving a data block, configured to:
 determine whether to transmit the data block with the transmitter or to forward the data block to a collateral radio; 
 in response to determining to transmit the data block with the transmitter, providing the data block to the channel-access controller; and 
 in response to determining to forward the data block, forwarding the data block to the collateral radio. 
   
     
     
       22. The radio of claim 21, wherein the collateral radio is configured to transceive on a second protocol. 
     
     
       23. The radio of claim 21, further comprising at least one antenna switch electrically connected to the radio. 
     
     
       24. The radio of claim 23, further comprising at least one antenna electrically connected to the antenna switch. 
     
     
       25. The radio of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second protocols is Bluetooth. 
     
     
       26. The radio of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second protocols is IEEE 802.11. 
     
     
       27. The radio of claim 21, wherein either the channel-access controller or the host interface is configured to receive an idle-indication signal. 
     
     
       28. The radio of claim 21, wherein either the channel-access controller or the host interface is configured to transmit a transmit-inhibit signal. 
     
     
       29. A radio comprising:
 a channel-access controller configured to transmit a data block, and generate an antenna switch control signal responsive to having the data block provided; and   a host interface configured to:
 receive the data block from a host interface bus; 
 determine whether to transmit the data block with a transmitter or to forward the data block to a collateral radio; 
 in response to determining to transmit the data block with the transmitter, provide the data block to the channel-access controller; and 
 in response to determining to forward the data block, forward the data block to the collateral radio. 
   
     
     
       30. The radio of claim 29, wherein the collateral radio is configured to transceive on a second protocol. 
     
     
       31. The radio of claim 29, further comprising at least one antenna switch electrically connected to the radio. 
     
     
       32. The radio of claim 31, further comprising at least one antenna electrically connected to the antenna switch. 
     
     
       33. The radio of claim 29, wherein either the channel-access controller or the host interface is configured to receive an idle-indication signal. 
     
     
       34. The radio of claim 29, wherein either the channel-access controller or the host interface is configured to transmit a transmit-inhibit signal. 
     
     
       35. A method comprising:
 receiving a packet with a first transceiver;   a host interface within the first transceiver determining whether to transmit the packet with the first transceiver operating on a first wireless protocol or to forward the packet to a collateral transceiver operating on a second wireless protocol;   in response to determining to transmit the packet with the first transceiver, a channel access controller within the first transceiver generating a switching control signal for switching an antenna switch; and   in response to determining to forward the packet, the host interface forwarding the packet to the collateral transceiver.   
     
     
       36. The method of claim 35, further comprising transmitting the packet through at least one antenna. 
     
     
       37. The method of claim 35, wherein at least one of the first and second protocols is Bluetooth. 
     
     
       38. The method of claim 35, wherein at least one of the first and second protocols is IEEE 802.11. 
     
     
       39. The method of claim 35, further comprising receiving an idle indication signal by one selected from the group consisting of the channel-access controller and the host interface. 
     
     
       40. The method of claim 35, further comprising transmitting a transmit inhibit signal by one selected from the group consisting of the channel-access controller and the host interface. 
     
     
       41. A radio comprising:
 means for generating an antenna switch control signal responsive to having the data block provided;   means for receiving the data block from a host interface bus;   means for determining whether to transmit the data block or to forward the data block, means for transmitting the data block, in response to determining to transmit the data block; and   means for forwarding the data block, in response to determining to forward the data block.   
     
     
       42. The radio of claim 41, further comprising means for transceiving on a second protocol. 
     
     
       43. The radio of claim 41, further comprising means for switching an antenna. 
     
     
       44. The radio of claim 41, further comprising means for receiving an idle-indication signal. 
     
     
       45. The radio of claim 41, further comprising means for transmitting a transmit-inhibit signal.