Cascaded Trigger Frame Indication for Wi-Fi Channel Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dense deployments of Wi-Fi devices, such as in malls and conference halls, existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in channel access coordination, particularly in uplink directions, where user devices compete for channel access, leading to suboptimal resource allocation and power management.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a cascaded trigger frame indication system, where an access point (AP) sets a cascade indication within a trigger frame to schedule and notify user devices about the sequence and timing of trigger frames, allowing them to determine when to contend for channel access and conserve power by waking up only when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If user devices contend for channel access in uplink direction, then channel access can be achieved, but resource allocation becomes suboptimal and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The access point sends a trigger frame to user devices before uplink transmission, preliminarily allocating resource units and notifying devices of the scheduled transmission time. This allows user devices to wake up only when needed, avoid unnecessary channel contention, and transmit uplink data at predetermined times, thereby improving channel access efficiency and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple trigger frames are sent in sequence, then resource allocation can be optimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidtrigger frame sequencing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger frame includes a cascade indication field that provides feedback information about whether additional trigger frames will follow. This allows user devices to anticipate future resource allocations and adjust their behavior accordingly, optimizing resource allocation while reducing device complexity through simple indication bits rather than complex scheduling algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3254518B1Cascaded trigger frame indication
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 INTEL CORP
  • EP3254518B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3254518B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3254518B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This disclosure describes methods, apparatus, and systems related to cascaded trigger frame indication. A device may determine a beacon frame on a communication channel. The device may determine one or more trigger frames based at least in part on the beacon frame, the one or more trigger frames including at least in part a first trigger frame and a second trigger frame. The device may determine a cascade indication associated with the one or more trigger frames. The device may cause to send the beacon frame to one or more devices. The device may cause to send the first trigger frame to the one or more devices based at least in part on the beacon frame.