Concurrent Service via Separate MAC and PHY Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic devices with a single MAC and PHY layer structure for wireless LAN communication systems face limitations in data throughput and delay due to the inability to perform simultaneous data reception and transmission across different frequency bands, leading to inefficient concurrent service provision.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of separate MAC and PHY layers for different frequency bands within an electronic device, allowing for concurrent signal reception and transmission across multiple frequency bands using distinct communication units, enabling independent operation and minimizing switching delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single MAC layer and PHY layer are used to support multiple frequency bands, then device complexity is reduced, but data throughput decreases and time delay increases due to time division multiplexing and frequency switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication module structureVSAvoiddata throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the communication module into separate MAC layers and PHY layers for different frequency bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz). Each frequency band has its own independent MAC layer and PHY layer, allowing simultaneous operation without time division multiplexing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by sacrificing some device complexity to achieve significant improvements in data throughput and eliminate switching delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequency band switching is performed between 2.4GHz and 5GHz for concurrent service, then multi-band support is achieved, but time loss occurs due to MAC layer and PHY layer switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band supportVSAvoidswitching delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates independent MAC layers and PHY layers for each frequency band, allowing simultaneous operation on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands without requiring switching. This eliminates the time loss associated with frequency band switching while maintaining multi-band adaptability for concurrent services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If time division multiplexing is used for signal reception and transmission, then single MAC/PHY layer structure is maintained, but maximum data throughput is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer structureVSAvoiddata throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements separate MAC layers and PHY layers for different frequency bands, enabling parallel data transmission and reception without time division multiplexing. The 2.4GHz band and 5GHz band can simultaneously transmit and receive data through their respective independent layers, maximizing data throughput while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If a single MAC layer and PHY layer are used for concurrent service, then device structure is simplified, but real-time playback performance deteriorates due to switching delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication module structureVSAvoidreal-time service performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates independent MAC layers and PHY layers for 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, allowing simultaneous operation without switching delays. This ensures reliable real-time playback performance for concurrent services such as receiving content on one band while transmitting on another, while maintaining simplified device structure through modular layer design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2670209B1Method and apparatus for providing concurrent service
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2670209B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2670209B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2670209B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An electronic device and a method for providing a concurrent service are provided. The electronic device for providing the concurrent service includes a first communication unit for transceiving signals of a first frequency band, a second communication unit for transceiving signals of a second frequency band, an input unit for determining a function to execute for each of a plurality of counterpart devices by detecting a user input, a memory for storing frequency band information corresponding to the function to execute, and a processor for determining frequency bands for communicating with the counterpart devices based on frequency band information corresponding to the determined function, and controlling the first communication unit and the second communication unit to communicate with a corresponding counterpart devices according to the determined frequency band at the same time.