Channel-Aware Resource Allocation in Wireless Networks

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, allocated resource units often go unused due to channel conditions being busy or of poor quality, leading to inefficiencies in resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method where an access point transmits a control frame indicating available resource units for uplink transmission, and stations provide feedback on these units based on channel conditions, allowing for independent transmission of response frames even if the channel is busy, thereby determining and allocating resource units effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If stations wait for clear channel conditions before transmitting feedback, then transmission reliability is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates due to unused resource units

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The access point performs preliminary actions by transmitting a control frame that pre-allocates resource units and requests feedback before the actual data transmission. This allows stations to prepare their feedback in advance and enables the AP to plan resource allocation based on upcoming channel conditions, rather than waiting for clear conditions after resources are already allocated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where stations report channel quality information (CQI) and clear channel assessment (CCA) status back to the access point. This feedback loop enables the AP to make informed decisions about resource allocation, matching resources to stations based on their actual channel conditions, thereby improving both reliability and utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If resource units are allocated in advance, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential channel busy conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The access point performs preliminary actions by transmitting a control frame that pre-allocates resource units and requests feedback before the actual data transmission. This allows stations to prepare their feedback in advance and enables the AP to plan resource allocation based on upcoming channel conditions, rather than waiting for clear conditions after resources are already allocated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where stations report channel quality information (CQI) and clear channel assessment (CCA) status back to the access point. This feedback loop enables the AP to make informed decisions about resource allocation, matching resources to stations based on their actual channel conditions, thereby improving both reliability and utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If stations transmit feedback independently of channel conditions, then resource utilization is improved, but energy consumption increases due to additional transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidstation energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where stations report channel quality information (CQI) and clear channel assessment (CCA) status back to the access point. This feedback loop enables the AP to make informed decisions about resource allocation, matching resources to stations based on their actual channel conditions, thereby improving both reliability and utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of feedback transmission timing - instead of transmitting feedback only when channel conditions are clear, stations transmit feedback according to the scheduled resource allocation from the control frame, regardless of instantaneous channel conditions. This parameter change enables better resource utilization while managing energy consumption through structured transmission timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3592078B1Channel aware resource allocation

Publication Date: 2021.05.05 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

A method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for wireless communication are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus is configured transmit, to a set of stations, a trigger frame that indicates a set of RUs for uplink and/or downlink transmission available to each station of the set of stations. The trigger frame may be a request for feedback on the set of RUs from each station. The apparatus may be configured to receive from each station a response frame over an uplink resource based on the transmitted trigger frame. The response frame may include the feedback on the set of RUs and may be received independent of a channel condition associated with the uplink resource. The feedback may be an ordered list of RUs based on the set of RUs.