Composite Channel Assessment for WLAN Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies face challenges in efficiently utilizing multiple channels for clear channel assessment (CCA) to determine idle channels for forming composite channels, which affects data throughput and interference management.
Innovation Solution
A method that measures signal levels across multiple channels, including primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary channels, to determine channel idle status and form composite channels based on these assessments, allowing for efficient channel utilization and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple channels are monitored for clear channel assessment, then channel utilization efficiency is improved, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tertiary channel is divided into two separate bandwidth portions, each with its own signal level measurement. This segmentation allows the system to assess the tertiary channel in manageable segments rather than as a single complex measurement, reducing the overall measurement complexity while still achieving comprehensive channel utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a composite channel concept that combines primary, secondary, and tertiary channels into a unified assessment dimension. By measuring signal levels across multiple channels and integrating them into a composite channel determination, the system improves overall channel utilization efficiency without proportionally increasing measurement complexity
2Productivity
If composite channels are formed from multiple channels, then data throughput is improved, but channel assessment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary signal level measurements on individual channels (primary, secondary, and tertiary bandwidth portions) before forming the composite channel. By pre-assessing each component channel's signal level, the system simplifies the subsequent composite channel determination process, making it easier to identify valid composite channels for high-throughput data transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures signal levels in more channel portions than strictly necessary (measuring both bandwidth portions of the tertiary channel separately), which provides redundant information that simplifies the composite channel assessment. This partial excessive measurement ensures that sufficient data is available to reliably form composite channels without requiring complex real-time analysis
Data Source
AI summary
In a communication system that utilizes at least a primary channel, a secondary channel, and a tertiary channel, a primary channel signal level in the primary channel is measured, and a secondary channel signal level in the secondary channel is measured. A first tertiary channel signal level in a first bandwidth portion of the tertiary channel is measured, and a second tertiary channel signal level in a second bandwidth portion of the tertiary channel is measured. It is determined whether the primary channel is idle based on the primary channel signal level, and it is determined whether the secondary channel is idle based on the secondary channel signal level. It is determined whether the tertiary channel is idle based on the first tertiary channel signal level and the second tertiary channel signal level. It is determined whether a valid signal is received via a first composite channel including the primary channel, the secondary channel, and the tertiary channel. A first composite channel signal level in the first composite channel is measured at least when it is determined that a valid signal was received via the first composite channel. It is determined whether the first composite channel is idle based on i) whether a valid signal was received via the first composite channel and ii) the first composite channel signal level at least when it is determined that a valid signal was received via the first composite channel.