Coordinated Beamforming Sounding Across BSSs for Interference Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no specification for performing channel sounding between an AP associated with a basic service set (BSS) and STAs of BSSs that are not part of the same BSS in multi-AP wireless networks, leading to interference issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for coordinated beamforming that involves transmitting sounding packets with specific transmitter addresses to STAs of different BSSs, receiving feedback reports on interference channels, and configuring beamforming to mitigate interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple wireless APs are used in a multi-AP wireless network to improve overall efficiency and performance, then network reliability and coverage are improved, but interference between APs and STAs from different BSSs occurs during cooperative transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where STAs report channel state information (CSI) and interference levels back to the coordinating AP. This feedback enables the system to dynamically adjust beamforming weights and transmission parameters to mitigate interference while maintaining high network efficiency through coordinated multi-AP operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes transmission parameters including beamforming weights, power levels, and resource allocation based on channel conditions and interference measurements. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system achieves both high productivity and interference mitigation in multi-AP wireless networks.
2Reliability
If beamforming is applied to cancel interfering signals and produce strong beams for data transmission, then signal quality is improved, but complex channel state information measurement and coordination between APs is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordinating AP that acts as an intermediary to manage beamforming operations across multiple APs. This coordinator centralizes the complexity of channel state information collection, processing, and beamforming weight calculation, thereby reducing the coordination burden on individual APs while maintaining high signal quality through coordinated beamforming.
3Measurement precision
If channel sounding is performed to evaluate radio environments and estimate channel characteristics, then beamforming accuracy is improved, but no existing specification covers sounding between APs of one BSS and STAs of other BSSs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends existing channel sounding protocols to serve multiple functions: not only intra-BSS channel estimation but also inter-BSS interference measurement and coordination. This universal approach allows the same sounding mechanism to gather comprehensive channel state information across different BSSs, improving measurement precision while maintaining protocol compatibility through standardized frame structures and procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A sounding method for coordinated beamforming in a multi-AP wireless network is provided. The method is implemented by a first wireless access point (AP) of a first basic service set (BSS), and includes transmitting a sounding packet to a second wireless station (STA) of a second BSS, wherein the sounding packet comprises a field indicating that a transmitter address is an address of a second wireless AP associated with a second BSS. The method includes receiving a feedback report from the second wireless STA of the second BSS, wherein the feedback report comprises interference channel of the second wireless STA.