Distributed RU Tone Plan for Preamble-Punctured 80 MHz WLAN

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless LAN systems face challenges in supporting advanced communication technologies such as Extremely High Throughput (EHT) and ultra-high reliability (UHR) due to limitations in bandwidth utilization and latency, particularly in handling low-latency real-time traffic and ultra-high reliability requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a distributed resource unit tone plan with preamble puncturing, allowing transmission and reception of physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) across multiple channels, specifically using 26-tone DRUs defined within 60 MHz channels of an 80 MHz bandwidth, excluding certain subcarriers to optimize channel usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional resource unit allocation is used in wireless LAN systems, then system simplicity is maintained, but bandwidth utilization and support for low-latency real-time traffic are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidresource unit allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The 80 MHz channel is segmented into multiple 20 MHz sub-channels, and resource units are further segmented into distributed 26-tone DRUs that can be independently allocated. This segmentation enables flexible bandwidth utilization by allowing the system to transmit data across multiple non-contiguous frequency resources, thereby improving productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic resource unit allocation where 26-tone DRUs can be flexibly assigned to different users and applications based on real-time channel conditions and traffic requirements. The distributed nature of these resource units allows dynamic adaptation to support low-latency real-time traffic by selecting optimal frequency locations that minimize interference and maximize transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If preamble puncturing is applied to one 20 MHz channel among four 20 MHz channels of 80 MHz bandwidth, then interference is reduced and reliability is improved, but available transmission bandwidth is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveultra-high reliabilityVSAvoidavailable transmission bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful effect of interference in specific 20 MHz sub-channels into a beneficial resource allocation strategy. By detecting which 20 MHz channels experience interference and applying preamble puncturing to those specific sub-channels, the system sacrifices minimal bandwidth in affected areas while maintaining high reliability overall. The distributed 26-tone DRUs are then allocated to utilize the remaining clean frequency resources, effectively converting interference problems into opportunities for optimized resource distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If distributed resource units are used across 60 MHz channels excluding certain subcarriers, then channel allocation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel allocation efficiencyVSAvoidtone plan configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the fundamental parameters of resource unit allocation by transitioning from traditional contiguous resource units to distributed 26-tone DRUs with specific frequency spacing. The tone plan is configured with precise parameters (every 27th subcarrier starting from the n-th lowest subcarrier) that optimize channel allocation efficiency. These parameter changes enable more efficient utilization of available spectrum by distributing tones across the 60 MHz channel while excluding specific subcarriers, thereby improving productivity despite increased configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4697635A1Method and device for transmission or reception based on distributed resource unit tone plan supporting preamble puncturing in wireless LAN system
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4697635A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4697635A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4697635A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and a device for transmission or reception based on a distributed resource unit tone plan in a wireless LAN system. A method performed by a first STA in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise the steps of: generating a PPDU including one or more fields, the one or more fields being mapped onto one or more DRUs; and on the basis that preamble puncturing is applied to one 20 MHz channel among four 20 MHz channels of a bandwidth including a 80 MHz channel, transmitting the PPDU to one or more second STAs on the remaining 60 MHz channel except for the one 20 MHz channel.