Communication Device Block ACK Overhead Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing block ACK methods in wireless communication systems, such as those following the IEEE 802.11 standard, incur significant communication overhead due to the ADDBA and DELBA processes, which accumulate and increase overall communication overhead, thereby reducing throughput.

Innovation Solution

A communication device and method that reduce communication overhead by optimizing the block ACK process by transmitting a BA start frame and receiving a response frame, allowing for parallel exchange of BA parameters and data, and ending the BA sequence without the DELBA process, thus simplifying and reducing the communication burden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ADDBA process is performed to start a block ACK sequence, then block ACK communication can be established, but communication overhead increases due to the setup process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblock ACK communication establishmentVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the ADDBA process only once when block ACK communication is first needed, rather than repeatedly establishing the sequence. The system maintains the block ACK state across multiple data transmissions, avoiding repeated setup overhead while ensuring reliable communication establishment when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the BA sequence is repeated multiple times, then block ACK communication can be re-established, but communication overhead accumulates each time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblock ACK communication re-establishmentVSAvoidaccumulated communication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies continuity of useful action by maintaining the block ACK sequence active across multiple data transmission cycles. Instead of repeatedly establishing and tearing down the BA sequence, the system keeps the block ACK state continuous, allowing multiple data frames to be transmitted with a single ADDBA setup, thereby eliminating accumulated overhead while maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If block ACK is used to transmit ACK information for multiple data frames, then communication resources are reduced, but communication overhead increases due to repeated BA sequence setup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining multiple data frame transmissions under a single block ACK sequence. Instead of setting up separate ACK mechanisms for each data frame, the system merges them into one continuous BA sequence established by a single ADDBA process, allowing multiple data frames to be acknowledged efficiently without repeated overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the ADDBA setup once in advance, before transmitting multiple data frames. This preliminary establishment of the block ACK sequence enables subsequent data transmissions to proceed without repeated setup overhead, improving overall communication efficiency while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3860207B1Communication device and communication method

Publication Date: 2023.11.15 SONY GROUP CORP

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AI summary

[Object] To provide a communication device and a communication method capable of reducing a communication overhead occurring in use of a block ACK. [Solution] A communication device including: a communication unit configured to transmit a first frame including a request parameter and data for a block acknowledge (ACK) and receive a second frame including a confirmation response to a response parameter and the data for the block ACK.