A simulation system and method for physical layer protocol data units in wireless networks

Abstract

This invention discloses a wireless network physical layer protocol data unit simulation system and method, belonging to the field of testing technology. The system includes a trigger frame and HE TB PPDU. Some parameters of the preamble and data fields of the HE TB PPDU are determined by reading the trigger frame body, which not only better conforms to the IEEE 802.11ax standard but also provides test incentives for real-world communication scenarios between Wi-Fi 6 access points and workstations. This invention allows for the simultaneous simulation of multiple HE TB PPDU data through a physical frame block configuration table, and the number of HE TB PPDU frame blocks is associated with the "number of user information fields" field in the trigger frame body settings, making the simulation process more flexible and efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of testing technology, specifically relating to a wireless network physical layer protocol data unit simulation system and method. Background Technology

[0002] Highly efficient trigger-based physical layer protocol data units (HETB PPDUs) are one of the main data types of the Wi-Fi 6 network physical layer. When a workstation receives PPDU data carrying a trigger frame from an access point, the workstation responds to the trigger frame using the HETB PPDU. The data portion typically carries an acknowledgment frame or block acknowledgment frame, while the preamble carries information such as resources and modulation / coding schemes indicated by the trigger frame. During the research, development, production, certification, and approval processes of Wi-Fi 6 devices, it is necessary to test the HETB PPDU data generation function to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of device functionality. Therefore, HETB PPDU simulation methods and systems must be used as key test stimuli.

[0003] Currently, HE TB PPDU simulation methods and systems based on the IEEE 802.11ax protocol are mainly divided into two categories. The first category primarily uses a tree-structured list to present the software's functional framework, with each level corresponding to a parameter setting page. The list contains five levels: "Waveform Settings," "Signal Configuration," "RU Settings," "User Settings," and "MPDU Settings." Clicking on a node in the tree structure displays the parameters for that level in a categorized list. This type of system has a relatively compact parameter arrangement, suitable for display on larger screens; therefore, it is typically used for host computer testing (the software is installed on a separate PC, through which parameters are set and the testing instrument is controlled). A typical tree structure and parameter presentation interface for this type of device are shown below. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown. This type of device cannot be integrated into microwave testing instruments; a separate host computer and simulation software are required to conduct testing.

[0004] The second type of system addresses the limitation of the first type of system, which cannot be integrated into microwave test instruments, by independently designing the hierarchical organization of software functions and the presentation of parameters. This type of system presents parameter items as large boxes and buttons, presenting software functions hierarchically in pop-up windows. Within each level of software function, different categories of parameter items are displayed through tabs, and the parameters in the tabs present the next level of settings in pop-up windows. For example, in the physical frame block configuration function, clicking the PPDU settings bar brings up the PPDU settings function, including three tabs: General Settings, User Settings, and Spatial Mapping Settings. In the General Settings tab, clicking the HE General Settings tab sets the PPDU format to HE TB PPDU. In the User Settings tab, the resource location and resource allocation method of the HE TB PPDU can be set in the Content Channel tab; the data stream number and resource type of the HETB PPDU can be set in the User Configuration tab; and the PPDU configuration bar can be clicked to further set PPDU data processing parameters, including MCS settings, data domain settings, and MAC header settings. The software interfaces for the above setting examples are shown below. Figures 3-7 As shown. This type can be integrated into microwave testing instruments for operation.

[0005] The two mainstream HE TB PPDU simulation systems currently have the following three shortcomings:

[0006] 1. The HE TB PPDU parameters are not associated with the corresponding trigger frames. The trigger frame settings and HE TB PPDU settings are independent of each other, making it impossible to simulate the impact of the trigger frames sent by the access point on the HE TB PPDU parameters.

[0007] 2. It is not possible to set up the simulation of multiple HE TB PPDU data in the same interface. The list architecture of the first type of system can only support one PPDU format at a time. The PPDU format of the second type of system needs to be set separately in each PPDU setting interface. Neither type of system can simulate multiple workstations sending HE TB PPDU at the same time in the same interface.

[0008] 3. In the second type of system, the use of HE multi-user PPDU parameter setting methods such as content channel settings and multi-user lists to set parameters such as HE TB PPDU resource usage and data processing does not comply with the IEEE 802.11ax protocol specification. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In view of the above-mentioned technical problems in the prior art, the present invention proposes a wireless network physical layer protocol data unit simulation system and method, which is reasonably designed, overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art, and has good effect.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0011] A wireless network physical layer protocol data unit simulation system includes a trigger frame and a HE TBPPDU; the HE TBPPDU is a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit.

[0012] The trigger frame is configured with the frame format used to request an HE TB PPDU;

[0013] The uplink bandwidth, guard interval and LTF type, MCS mode, resource allocation, dual-carrier modulation, and uplink multi-user-MIMO information of the HE TB PPDU are all carried through the trigger frame.

[0014] Preferably, the frame body setting interface of the trigger frame includes a public information field parameter setting interface and a user information field parameter setting interface;

[0015] The common information field consists of parameters shared by all workstations, which determine some parameters of the HE TB PPDU preamble, including uplink bandwidth and space-time block coding.

[0016] The user information field contains parameters specific to each user, defining some parameters of the HE TB PPDU data field, including the modulation and coding scheme and dual-carrier modulation.

[0017] Preferably, the HE TB PPDU settings include five parts: physical frame block configuration, HE TB PPDU general settings, HE TB PPDU preamble settings, HE TB PPDU data field parameter settings, and MAC header settings.

[0018] In the physical frame block configuration interface, the number of HE TB PPDU frame blocks is the default number of user information fields in the trigger frame body. Each frame block corresponds to a row in the physical frame block configuration table. Each frame block can contain one or more HE TB PPDUs and can independently set its own MAC frame type, transmission mode, number of PPDUs (PHY protocol data units), idle time, and status parameters. System users can also add / delete an HE TB PPDU frame block or copy or paste one HE TB PPDU frame block into a new frame block using the "Add", "Delete", "Copy", and "Paste" buttons.

[0019] Preferably, the HE TB PPDU general settings interface includes two tabs: A-MPDU settings and user settings. The A-MPDU settings tab allows users to set the number of MPDUs, data length, and data source parameters. The user settings tab allows users to set the workstation's RU type, RU index, starting spatial data stream number, and spatial data stream number parameters.

[0020] Preferably, the HE TB PPDU preamble is configured to set the parameters of the HE-SIG-A field. The HE TB PPDU is transmitted only in the uplink direction and has four spatial multiplexing fields.

[0021] Preferably, the HE TB PPDU data field parameters are set, including the total data length, PPDU duration, and duty cycle;

[0022] The total data length is consistent with the MPDU length in the A-MPDU settings tab of the HE TB PPDU general settings. The PPDU duration is determined based on the number of symbols in the leading field and data field. The duty cycle is the ratio of the PPDU duration to the total PPDU time. The total PPDU time is the sum of the PPDU duration and the idle time.

[0023] Preferably, the MAC header setting interface of the HE TB PPDU includes three tabs: MAC header structure, frame control subfield, and high throughput control subfield.

[0024] Furthermore, this invention also mentions a method for simulating wireless network physical layer protocol data units, which employs a wireless network physical layer protocol data unit simulation system as described above, and specifically includes the following steps:

[0025] Step 1: Determine if a trigger frame exists;

[0026] If the determination result is that a trigger frame exists, then read the common information field parameter of the trigger frame body and fill it into the corresponding field of the HE TBPPDU preamble field; read the user information field parameter of the trigger frame body and fill it into the corresponding field of the HE TBPPDU data field;

[0027] If the result indicates that no trigger frame exists, then set the trigger frame body parameters;

[0028] Step 2: Check the completeness of the HE TB PPDU parameters to determine if the parameters are complete;

[0029] If the result indicates that the parameters are complete, then the data generation algorithm is invoked to generate HE TB PPDU data;

[0030] If the result indicates that the parameters are incomplete, then the missing parameters will be set until the parameters are complete.

[0031] The beneficial technical effects of this invention are as follows:

[0032] 1. Some parameters of the preamble and data fields of the HE TB PPDU are determined by reading the trigger frame body, which not only better conforms to the IEEE 802.11ax standard, but also provides test incentives for real communication scenarios between Wi-Fi 6 access points and workstations.

[0033] 2. Multiple HE TB PPDU data can be simulated simultaneously through the physical frame block configuration table, and the number of HE TB PPDU frame blocks is associated with the "number of user information fields" field in the trigger frame body settings, making the simulation process more flexible and efficient. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 A tree structure diagram of the first type of HE TB PPDU simulation method and system;

[0035] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the parameter presentation of the first type of HE TB PPDU simulation method and system;

[0036] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the physical frame block configuration interface for the second type of system;

[0037] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the HE general settings interface for the second type of system;

[0038] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the user settings - content channel settings interface for the second type of system;

[0039] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the user settings - user configuration interface for the second type of system;

[0040] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the PPDU settings interface that pops up in the user configuration interface of the second type of system;

[0041] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the interface for setting the trigger frame body;

[0042] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the interface for configuring HE TB PPDU physical frame blocks;

[0043] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the general settings interface for HE TB PPDU;

[0044] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the interface for setting up the HE TB PPDU preamble;

[0045] Figure 12 A schematic diagram illustrating the parameter settings for the HE TB PPDU data field;

[0046] Figure 13 A diagram illustrating the MAC header settings for a HE TB PPDU;

[0047] Figure 14 This is a flowchart of the HE TB PPDU simulation method. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0049] This invention proposes a high-efficiency software scheme for simulating HE TB PPDUs based on the 802.11 / ax protocol. First, the trigger frame body parameters are set according to the 802.11ax protocol. Then, HE TB PPDU transmission information, such as user ID, allocated resources, modulation and coding scheme, and spatial multiplexing, is read from the trigger frame body and the corresponding parameters are presented. Finally, the HE TB PPDU generation algorithm is invoked to generate HE TB PPDU baseband data. Compared with existing technologies, this scheme is more compliant with protocol specifications and allows for the simulation of multiple HE TB PPDU data sets through a single interface. The technical solution of this invention mainly consists of three parts: trigger frame body setting, HE TB PPDU setting, and HE TB PPDU data generation, which are described below.

[0050] (I) Trigger Frame Body Settings

[0051] The trigger frame is a frame format used to request an HE TB PPDU. Information such as uplink bandwidth, guard interval and LTF type, MCS mode, resource allocation, dual-carrier modulation, and uplink multi-user MIMO of the HE TB PPDU are all carried through the trigger frame.

[0052] Trigger frame body settings interface as follows Figure 8 As shown, the interface contains two tabs: one for common information field parameters and the other for user information field parameters. The common information field contains parameters shared by all workstations, defining some parameters of the HETB PPDU preamble, such as uplink bandwidth and space-time block coding. The user information field contains parameters specific to each user, defining some parameters of the HETB PPDU data field, such as modulation and coding scheme and dual-carrier modulation.

[0053] The following is a description of some key parameters in the trigger frame body:

[0054] 1. Uplink bandwidth: Indicates the bandwidth in HE-SIG-A of HE TB PPDU.

[0055] 2. Protection Interval and LTF Type: Indicates the protection interval and HE-LTF type of the HT TB PPDU.

[0056] 3. Number of User Information Fields: Sets the number of user information fields in the trigger frame, with a maximum of 37. A trigger frame carries one or more user information fields, each corresponding to one user. Since the HE TBPPDU only carries data for one user, if there are multiple user information fields, the software will use the parameters of the first user information field to generate the HE TBPPDU, but the parameters of other user information fields can be set as usual.

[0057] 4. Resource Unit Allocation: Specifies the resource unit allocation field for the workstation HE TB PPDU. For details, see Section 9.3.1.23 of the 802.11ax specification.

[0058] 5. Uplink forward error correction coding type: Indicates the coding type of HE TB PPDU, 0 indicates BCC coding, and 1 indicates LDPC coding.

[0059] 6. Uplink modulation and coding scheme: Indicates the modulation and coding scheme of HE TB PPDU.

[0060] 7. Uplink Dual Carrier Modulation: Indicates whether the HE TB PPDU uses dual carrier modulation. A value of 1 indicates that DCM is used.

[0061] (II) HE TB PPDU Settings

[0062] The HE TB PPDU settings include five parts: physical frame block configuration, PPDU general settings, PPDU preamble settings, PPDU data field parameter settings, and MAC header settings.

[0063] In the physical frame block configuration interface, the number of HE TB PPDU frame blocks defaults to the number of user information fields in the trigger frame body. Each frame block corresponds to a row in the physical frame block configuration table. Each frame block can contain one or more HE TB PPDUs, and their respective MAC frame type, transmission mode, number of PPDUs, idle time, status, and other parameters can be set independently. System users can also add / delete an HE TB PPDU frame block using buttons such as "Add," "Delete," "Copy," and "Paste," or copy or paste one HE TB PPDU frame block into a new frame block. The physical frame block configuration interface is as follows: Figure 9 As shown.

[0064] The PPDU general settings interface includes two tabs: A-MPDU settings and user settings. Figure 10As shown. The A-MPDU settings tab allows you to configure parameters such as the number of MPDUs, data length, and data source; the user settings tab allows you to configure parameters such as the workstation's RU type, RU index, starting spatial data stream number, and spatial data stream number.

[0065] According to the data processing flow of the HE TB PPDU leading field, the main parameters that need to be set are those of the HE-SIG-A field. The setting interface is as follows: Figure 11 As shown. The HE TB PPDU is transmitted only in the uplink direction and has four spatial multiplexing fields.

[0066] The data field parameter setting interface of HE TB PPDU is as follows: Figure 12 As shown. The total data length is consistent with the MPDU length in the General Settings - A - MPDU Settings tab. The PPDU duration is determined based on the number of symbols in the preamble and data fields. The duty cycle is the ratio of the PPDU duration to the total PPDU time (PPDU duration + idle time). The time-domain window activation and transition times determine the time-domain windowing operation. The scrambler type and initial scrambling value determine the scrambling operation. Interleaver activation is used for BCC encoding. The service area value is a reserved value for the IEEE 802.11ax protocol. The maximum packet extension duration and the current packet extension duration determine the duration of the packet extension field.

[0067] The MAC header settings interface of the HE TB PPDU includes three tabs: MAC header structure, frame control subfield, and HT control subfield. Figure 13 As shown, the Frame Control Subfield and High Throughput Control Subfield tabs are the detailed settings interfaces for the "Frame Control Subfield" and "High Throughput Control Subfield" fields in the MAC header, respectively. Because these two subfields have many parameters, their parameter settings are designed as a single tab.

[0068] (III) HE TB PPDU Data Generation

[0069] HE TB PPDU includes fields such as L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, HE-SIG-A, HE-STF, HE-LTF, DATA, and PE. The data processing flow and algorithms for each field are implemented based on the IEEE 802.11ax protocol. The HE TB PPDU settings interface determines the parameters required by the algorithm and passes them to the data processing algorithm module, which then concatenates the data to generate the HE TB PPDU.

[0070] The workflow of the HE TB PPDU simulation method proposed in this invention is as follows: Figure 14As shown, the process first checks if a trigger frame exists. If it does, it reads the parameters from the public information field and the user information field, and fills them into the corresponding fields of the preamble and data fields of the HE TB PPDU, respectively. Otherwise, it sets the trigger frame body parameters. Then, it checks the integrity of the HE TB PPDU parameters. If the parameters are complete, it calls the algorithm to generate HE TB PPDU data; otherwise, it continues to check the parameter integrity until the parameters are complete.

[0071] Key point and protection point 1: Determine the values ​​of some fields of HE TB PPDU by triggering frame body parameters.

[0072] In the method proposed in this invention, the trigger frame body parameters are associated with some parameters of the HETB PPDU preamble and data fields. During the setting of HETB PPDU parameters, it is necessary to determine whether a trigger frame exists and fill the corresponding fields with the appropriate trigger frame body parameters. The trigger frame body includes a common information field and a user information field. The common information field contains parameters shared by all workstations, determining some parameters of the HETB PPDU preamble, such as uplink bandwidth and space-time block coding. The user information field contains parameters specific to each user, determining some parameters of the HETB PPDU data field, such as modulation and coding scheme and dual-carrier modulation. The number of HETB PPDU frame blocks can also be associated with the number of user information fields in the trigger frame body settings.

[0073] Key point and protection point 2: Simultaneously simulate multiple HE TB PPDUs by setting up the physical frame block configuration table.

[0074] In the method proposed in this invention, the HE TB PPDU setting includes a physical frame block configuration section. In this interface, multiple HE TB PPDUs can be simulated simultaneously through the physical frame block configuration table. Each row in the physical frame block configuration table corresponds to one HE TB PPDU frame block. The number of frame blocks defaults to the number of user information fields in the trigger frame body. System users can also add / delete an HE TB PPDU frame block using buttons such as "Add," "Delete," "Copy," and "Paste," or copy or paste one HE TB PPDU frame block into a new frame block. Each frame block can contain one or more HE TB PPDUs and can independently configure its own MAC frame type, transmission mode, number of PPDUs, idle time, status, and other parameters.

[0075] Of course, the above description is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the examples given above. Any changes, modifications, additions or substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention should also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wireless network physical layer protocol data unit emulation system, characterized by: The trigger frame and the HE TB PPDU; the HE TB PPDU is a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit; The trigger frame is configured as a frame format for requesting the HE TB PPDU; The uplink bandwidth, the guard interval and the LTF type, the MCS mode, the resource allocation, the dual carrier modulation and the uplink multi-user-MIMO information of the HE TB PPDU are carried by the trigger frame; The HE TB PPDU is set, including five parts of the physical frame block configuration, the HE TB PPDU general setting, the HE TB PPDU preamble setting, the HE TB PPDU data domain parameter setting and the MAC header setting; In the physical frame block configuration interface, the number of HE TB PPDU frame blocks is equal to the number of user information domains in the trigger frame body by default, and each frame block corresponds to a row in the physical frame block configuration table; each frame block can contain one or more HE TB PPDUs, and the MAC frame type, the transmission mode, the PPDU number, the idle time and the state parameter of each frame block can be independently set; the system user can also add / delete an HE TB PPDU frame block through the "add", "delete", "copy" and "paste" buttons, or copy or paste one HE TB PPDU frame block to a new frame block.

2. The wireless network physical layer protocol data unit emulation system of claim 1, wherein: The frame body setting interface of the trigger frame includes the common information domain parameter setting interface and the user information domain parameter setting interface; The common information domain is the parameter common to each workstation, which determines part of the HE TB PPDU preamble domain parameters including the uplink bandwidth and the space-time block coding; The user information domain is the parameter dedicated to each user, which determines part of the HE TB PPDU data domain parameters including the modulation and coding scheme and the dual carrier modulation.

3. The wireless network physical layer protocol data unit emulation system of claim 1, wherein: The HE TB PPDU general setting interface includes two tabs of A-MPDU setting and user setting; in the A-MPDU setting tab, the MPDU number, the data length and the data source parameter can be set; in the user setting tab, the RU type, the RU index, the starting spatial data stream number and the spatial data stream number of the workstation can be set.

4. The wireless network physical layer protocol data unit emulation system of claim 1, wherein: The HE TB PPDU preamble setting sets the parameters of the HE-SIG-A domain, the HE TB PPDU is transmitted only in the uplink direction, and has four spatial multiplexing fields.

5. The wireless network physical layer protocol data unit emulation system of claim 1, wherein: The HE TB PPDU data domain parameter setting, the HE TB PPDU data domain parameters include the total data length, the PPDU duration and the duty cycle; The total data length is consistent with the MPDU length in the A-MPDU setting tab in the HE TB PPDU general setting, the PPDU duration is determined according to the number of preamble domain and data domain symbols, and the duty cycle is the ratio of the PPDU duration to the total PPDU time, and the total PPDU time is the sum of the PPDU duration and the idle time.

6. The wireless network physical layer protocol data unit emulation system of claim 1, wherein: The MAC header setting interface of the HE TB PPDU includes three tabs of MAC header structure, frame control subdomain and high throughput control subdomain.

7. A method of wireless network physical layer protocol data unit emulation, the method comprising: The wireless network physical layer protocol data unit simulation system of claim 1 comprises the following steps: Step 1: judging whether there is a trigger frame or not; if the result of the judgment is that there is a trigger frame, reading the trigger frame body public information domain parameters and filling them into the corresponding fields of the HE TB PPDU preamble domain; reading the trigger frame body user information domain parameters and filling them into the corresponding fields of the HE TB PPDU data domain; or the result of the judgment is that there is no trigger frame, setting the trigger frame body parameters; Step 2: checking the HE TB PPDU parameter integrity, judging whether the parameters are complete or not; if the result of the judgment is that the parameters are complete, calling the data generation algorithm to generate the HE TB PPDU data; or the result of the judgment is that the parameters are not complete, setting the missing parameters until the parameters are complete.

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