Dynamic Channel Rate Selection via Weighted Performance Inference

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, especially in white space environments, selecting the optimal channel and transmission rate is challenging due to the large number of available combinations and varying channel quality, leading to inefficient probing and potential suboptimal resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic channel and transmission rate selection technique that uses weighting factors to monitor and infer performance, updating these factors to select the most suitable channel and rate combination for subsequent transmissions, while considering switching costs and correlations between rates to reduce the state space explored.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If probing is used to learn the quality of each channel at each transmission rate, then reliable channel quality estimation is achieved, but the time and communication resources are wasted due to the large number of channel/rate combinations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel quality estimation accuracyVSAvoidprobing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the channel/rate combinations into different groups or categories, allowing the system to probe and learn about channels in a structured manner rather than treating all combinations equally. This segmentation enables more efficient exploration by focusing probing efforts on specific segments of the state space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary probing actions to gather information about channel qualities before making transmission decisions. By conducting initial exploration and storing the learned information, the system avoids repeated probing of the same channels, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If all channel and rate combinations are probed to select the optimum, then the best transmission performance is achieved, but by the time all combinations are probed the conditions may have changed making the selection suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission throughputVSAvoidadaptability to changing conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic channel and rate selection that adapts to changing conditions in real-time. The system continuously monitors channel conditions and updates its selection of optimal channel/rate combinations, allowing it to respond dynamically to environmental changes rather than relying on static pre-probed information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes its probing and selection parameters based on observed channel conditions and patterns. By adjusting which channels to probe, how frequently to probe them, and how to interpret the results, the system optimizes the balance between exploiting known good channels and exploring potentially better ones under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If exploration (probing) is performed to find the optimum channel and rate, then better transmission opportunities are discovered, but bad or suboptimal channels and rates are explored which wastes time and communication resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to find optimum channelVSAvoidtime efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial probing rather than exhaustive probing of all channel/rate combinations. The system probes a subset of channels and rates that are most likely to be optimal based on stored information and current conditions, avoiding the excessive action of probing every possible combination while still discovering good transmission opportunities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from previous probing and transmission results to guide future probing decisions. By analyzing which channels and rates performed well in the past and under what conditions, the system can prioritize future probing efforts on similar channels, reducing wasted exploration while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2578016B1Dynamic channel and transmission rate selection
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2578016B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2578016B1 patent drawingFigure 2
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AI summary

Dynamic channel and transmission rate selection is described. In an example, a communication resource for transmitting data to a receiver is selected from several channels, each having several associated rates. The selection comprises storing a weighting factor for each channel/rate combination, monitoring transmission performance on a selected channel and rate, and inferring performance for other rates on the selected channel from the monitored performance. Each weighting factor is then updated using the monitored and inferred performances, and used to select a channel/rate combination for subsequent transmission. In another example, a communication device comprises a transmitter, a processor, and a memory arranged to store a weighting factor associated with each receiver, channel and rate combination. The transmitter sends data to a receiver using one channel and rate, and the processor monitors the performance, updates the weighting factors accordingly, and selects a receiver, channel and rate combination for subsequent transmission.