CCA Level Enhancement for Wireless Network Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) levels in IEEE 802.11ac wireless networks are based on equal spectral density for all receiving channel widths, leading to reduced likelihood of wider channel width transmission and increased interference in dense deployment scenarios, resulting in low network throughput and interference.
Innovation Solution
Adopting a method where primary CCA levels are based on the intended transmit channel width, adjusting TX spectral power density to match the intended channel width, and defining reference spectral power densities to adjust CCA levels accordingly, thereby increasing the likelihood of wider channel width transmission and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If primary CCA levels are based on equal spectral density for all receiving channel widths, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but network throughput decreases and interference increases in dense deployment scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making CCA levels dependent on the specific receiving channel width. Instead of using a uniform CCA level for all channel widths, the system adjusts CCA levels locally according to the intended transmit channel width (20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz). This allows each channel width to have optimized CCA thresholds that match its spectral density characteristics, thereby improving network throughput while maintaining operational simplicity through automated selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the CCA level parameter based on the intended transmit channel width. The CCA level is changed from a fixed value to a variable parameter that adapts to different channel widths. Specifically, the system selects from multiple CCA level values corresponding to different channel widths, allowing the parameter to optimize performance for each transmission scenario while automatically maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If primary CCA levels are based on equal spectral density for all receiving channel widths, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but wider channel width transmission likelihood is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different CCA level thresholds for different receiving channel widths. The system maintains implementation simplicity by providing a straightforward mapping between intended transmit channel width and corresponding CCA level, while simultaneously increasing the likelihood of wider channel width transmission through optimized local thresholds that account for spectral density differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the CCA level parameter from a fixed equal spectral density value to variable values that correspond to different channel widths. This parameter change enables the system to maintain implementation simplicity through automated selection while significantly increasing the probability of wider channel width transmissions by using appropriate CCA thresholds for each channel width scenario.
3Device complexity
If TX spectral density is not adjusted for different transmit channel widths, then power control complexity is reduced, but interference with other radio signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting TX spectral density locally according to the intended transmit channel width. Instead of using a uniform spectral density for all channel widths, the system applies different spectral density levels matched to each channel width (20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz). This reduces power control complexity through automated selection while simultaneously reducing interference with other radio signals by matching spectral density to channel width.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the TX spectral density parameter based on the intended transmit channel width. The system changes spectral density from a fixed value to a variable parameter that adapts to different channel widths, thereby maintaining simple power control through automated selection while reducing harmful interference to other radio signals through appropriate spectral density matching.
4Productivity
If CCA levels are raised to increase spatial reuse, then network throughput increases, but collision and starvation for legacy stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different CCA level thresholds for different channel widths, which allows spatial reuse to be optimized locally for each channel width scenario. This approach increases network throughput through higher CCA levels while reducing collision and starvation for legacy stations by maintaining appropriate thresholds for narrower channel widths that legacy devices use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the CCA level parameter from a single raised value to multiple values corresponding to different channel widths. This parameter differentiation allows the system to increase spatial reuse and network throughput for wider channels while preserving reliable operation for legacy stations on narrower channels, thereby reducing collision and starvation issues.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of channel contention procedure with CCA level enhancement is proposed. A wireless device initiates an EDCA channel contention procedure to gain access to the wireless medium. The device determines an intended TX channel width and performs primary channel CCA using a set of CCA levels based on the intended TX channel width for determining channel idle or busy condition in the EDCA procedure. Upon gaining access, the device performs secondary channel CCA and thereby determining a final TX channel width. The device transmits radio signals using the final TX channel width and a TX spectral power density, which is adjusted to be corresponding to the intended TX channel width. By raising CCA levels to be based on the intended transmission channel width, the likelihood of wide channel width transmission is increased. As a result, significant network throughput increase can be accomplished in dense deployment scenarios.