Unified Acknowledgement and Scheduling Frame for Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication networks face high overhead in multi-user transmission processes, particularly in MU-MIMO systems, due to the need for multiple control frames for scheduling and acknowledgement, which can lead to inefficiencies in data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A novel acknowledgement (ACK) frame is introduced that combines scheduling functions, including triggering stations with buffered data to send and indicating selected stations for transmission, within the ACK frame itself, reducing the number of control frames required by incorporating a group ACK part and a scheduling information part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple control frames are used for scheduling and acknowledgement in MU-MIMO transmission, then reliable communication control is achieved, but overhead increases and transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the scheduling frame and acknowledgement frame into a single unified frame structure. The scheduling information (triggering STAs to send requests, indicating selected STAs) and acknowledgement information (ACK/NACK for previous transmissions) are merged into one frame transmitted by the AP, eliminating the need for separate control frames and reducing overhead while maintaining reliable communication control
Solution Approach 2:
The unified frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides scheduling control for uplink MU-MIMO transmission, sends acknowledgement for received data, and manages channel access coordination. This multi-functional design replaces multiple specialized control frames with a single versatile frame structure
2Ease of operation
If multiple control frames are sent for MU-MIMO scheduling, then accurate transmission control is achieved, but the number of control frames increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges scheduling control functions and acknowledgement functions into a single frame structure. The unified frame contains both scheduling information (for controlling upcoming transmissions) and acknowledgement information (for confirming received data), reducing the total number of control frames from multiple separate frames to one consolidated frame while preserving control accuracy
3Ease of manufacture
If separate scheduling frames and acknowledgement frames are used, then clear separation of functions is achieved, but transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines scheduling and acknowledgement functions into a single frame transmitted by the AP to STAs. This unified frame structure improves transmission efficiency by reducing the number of control frame transmissions required, while the frame internally maintains clear functional separation between scheduling information and acknowledgement information through distinct fields and substructures
Data Source
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AI summary
An acknowledgment (ACK) frame has two parts: a group ACK part and a scheduling information part. In the group ACK part, an ACK/NACK indicator is included for a previous uplink (UL) transmission per station (STA). In the scheduling information part, information included for the following UL transmission per selected STA may comprise, for example, one or more of: a number of selected STAs, a media access control (MAC) address of each selected STA, a data transmission duration per selected STA, a transmission rate per selected STA, a request transmission duration, a pilot transmission order, or a STA transmission order.