BSS Color Identification for Interference Management in Wireless Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, overlapping basic service sets (BSSs) lead to communication efficiency degradation due to interference, especially when frequency bands are used through contention procedures, causing wireless communication terminals to struggle with securing transmission opportunities.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication terminal that includes a transceiver and processor, configured to transmit and receive PLCP Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) and determine whether they are Inter-BSS or Intra-BSS PPDUs based on BSS colors, setting Network Allocation Vectors (NAV) and managing power save modes accordingly to minimize interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If frequency bands are used through contention procedures in overlapping BSS environments, then wireless communication terminals can access the channel, but communication efficiency degrades due to interference and terminals struggle to secure transmission opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing BSS color identification mechanisms before actual data transmission occurs. The system pre-assigns unique BSS colors to different basic service sets, allowing terminals to preliminarily identify and categorize incoming signals as belonging to their own BSS or overlapping BSS before contention procedures begin. This preliminary classification enables more efficient channel access decisions and reduces unnecessary interference responses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements segmentation by dividing the wireless communication space into distinct BSS segments identified by unique BSS colors. Each BSS is segmented and labeled with a specific color identifier, allowing terminals to differentiate between signals from their own BSS versus overlapping BSSs. This segmentation approach organizes the chaotic overlapping environment into manageable segments, improving channel access efficiency and reducing interference impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If BSS colors are used to identify Inter-BSS and Intra-BSS PPDUs, then channel access can be optimized, but BSS color collisions may occur causing misidentification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel accessVSAvoidBSS color identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the BSS color parameter to resolve identification issues. When a terminal detects a BSS color collision or ambiguous situation, the system changes the BSS color parameter to a different value, ensuring unique identification. This parameter modification approach maintains reliable BSS identification while preserving the benefits of color-based channel access optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where terminals continuously monitor and verify BSS color identification accuracy. When misidentification is detected through feedback from transmission outcomes or signal characteristics, the system adjusts its BSS color recognition and reporting mechanisms. This feedback loop ensures high reliability in BSS color identification while maintaining optimized channel access based on accurate BSS differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If terminals set NAV based on BSS color identification, then transmission opportunities can be secured, but interference management becomes complex in overlapping BSS scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission opportunity securationVSAvoidinterference management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing differentiated NAV setting rules for different BSS types identified through BSS colors. Instead of uniform interference management, the system applies specific quality rules locally: terminals set NAV differently for Intra-BSS PPDUs versus Inter-BSS PPDUs. This localized approach simplifies interference management by providing clear, context-specific rules rather than complex global management, while still securing transmission opportunities effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250024445A1Wireless communication method and wireless communication terminal in basic service set overlapping with another basic service set

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 WILUS INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS & TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Provided is a wireless communication terminal that communicates wirelessly. The terminal includes: a transceiver; and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a frame through the transceiver, determine whether the frame is classified into an Intra-Basic Service Set (BSS) frame or an Inter-BSS frame according to a BSS from which the frame is transmitted, and access a channel according to whether the frame is an Intra-BSS frame or an Inter-BSS frame.