Coordinated Access Point Scheduling With Triggered Resource Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coordinated multi-AP communication systems suffer from inefficient signaling overhead and lengthy setup phases, which reduce the gains achieved in the data communication phase.
Innovation Solution
Introduce persistent schedules with trigger frames to reduce signaling overhead, allowing efficient resource assignment and synchronization in the data communication phase by using AP and STA schedules, and applying short trigger frames to initiate data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional coordinated multi-AP communication systems use detailed signaling for resource assignment, then resource allocation accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases and setup phase duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining multiple resource assignment schemes (first through fourth schemes) in advance within the AP schedule information. These schemes cover different resource allocation patterns that can be directly selected and applied during data communication phases, eliminating the need for detailed real-time signaling and reducing setup phase duration while maintaining resource allocation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by introducing a mechanism where the sharing AP can dynamically select and indicate different AP schedules based on current channel conditions and traffic requirements. The system transitions from static pre-defined schedules to dynamic schedule selection, allowing the coordinated multi-AP system to adapt resource allocation patterns flexibly without extensive signaling overhead.
2Reliability
If traditional coordinated multi-AP communication systems use comprehensive setup procedures, then communication reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to lengthy setup phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing multiple resource assignment schemes and synchronization patterns before data communication begins. The AP schedule information containing these pre-defined schemes ensures communication reliability is maintained while significantly reducing the setup phase duration, thereby improving overall data communication efficiency and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of setup phase duration by introducing a streamlined schedule indication mechanism. Instead of performing comprehensive real-time resource allocation procedures, the system transitions to a parameter-efficient approach where pre-defined schemes are selected and applied, reducing setup time from potentially lengthy procedures to brief schedule indications while maintaining communication reliability through the structured scheme framework.
3Productivity
If coordinated APs operate in synchronous fashion with detailed resource assignment, then spectral efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining resource assignment schemes that enable synchronous coordinated operation. These pre-established patterns allow APs to operate in a coordinated manner with high spectral efficiency while reducing the complexity of real-time resource allocation decisions, as the schemes are already optimized and stored in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by having multiple APs replicate and apply the same or different pre-defined resource assignment schemes from the AP schedule information. This copying approach ensures consistent synchronous operation across multiple APs, maintaining spectral efficiency while simplifying the system architecture compared to complex real-time coordination mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A first access point comprises circuitry configured to generate AP schedule information that schedules, for subsequent data communication phases, the assignment of resources to one or more second access points to indicate which resources are assigned to a second access point for data communication in a subsequent data communication phase with its respective associated second stations, wherein the AP schedule information includes one or more AP schedules each comprising an assignment of resources to the one or more second access points, transmit the AP schedule information to the one or more second access points, and transmit, before and/or at the start of a data communication phase, AP trigger information to the one or more second access points to indicate which AP schedule to apply for the subsequent data communication phase.