Dynamic Clear-to-Send Power Control for Wireless Network Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The exposed terminal problem in wireless networks, where unnecessary transmission suppressions occur due to collisions, leads to reduced network efficiency and wasted bandwidth, with conventional solutions being costly and inaccurate, such as using GPS receivers for location-based suppression.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system and method that dynamically adjusts the clear-to-send power based on the measured request-to-send power, eliminating the need for extra hardware by calculating the clear-to-send power in response to the request-to-send power, signal coverage, and signal-to-interference ratio, to prevent unnecessary suppression and optimize transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS receivers are used to determine location information for transmission suppression, then the accuracy of transmission control is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/GPS-based location detection system with a signal-based detection system. Nodes determine their relative positions and transmission suppression needs by measuring signal strength (RSSI) from neighboring nodes' beacon frames, rather than using GPS hardware. This substitution eliminates expensive GPS receivers while maintaining sufficient accuracy for transmission control decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly obtaining precise location coordinates from GPS, the patent uses signal strength measurements as a proxy or copy of spatial information. The RSSI values indirectly represent distance and spatial relationships, allowing nodes to make transmission decisions based on this copied spatial data without needing actual GPS coordinates.
2Reliability
If nodes suppress transmission to prevent collisions, then the reliability of packet transmission is improved, but the network efficiency and bandwidth utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmission suppression decisions based on real-time signal strength measurements. Instead of static suppression rules, nodes continuously evaluate RSSI values and adjust their transmission behavior accordingly. This dynamic approach allows the network to adapt to changing conditions, suppressing transmissions only when necessary to prevent collisions while allowing parallel transmissions when safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different transmission suppression decisions to different spatial locations and contexts. Rather than uniform suppression rules, each node makes localized decisions based on its specific signal strength measurements from neighboring nodes. This allows transmissions to proceed in areas where they won't cause collisions while being suppressed only where necessary, optimizing both reliability and efficiency locally.
3Reliability
If clear-to-send power is increased to ensure reliable reception, then the reliability of communication is improved, but the power consumption and interference to other transmissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the clear-to-send transmission power parameter based on measured signal strength from request-to-send packets. Instead of using a fixed high power level, the system adjusts the CTS power parameter according to actual channel conditions and distance, using higher power only when necessary to ensure reliable reception while consuming less power when nodes are closer or conditions are favorable.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication system, a method for enhancing network efficiency, and a computer program product therefor are provided. The wireless communication system includes a transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus. The method and the computer program product therefor perform the following steps. The transmitting apparatus transmits a request-to-send packet to the receiving apparatus. After receiving the request-to-send packet, the receiving apparatus measures a request-to-send power of the received request-to-send packet to calculate a clear-to-send power. The receiving apparatus then uses the clear-to-send power to broadcast a clear-to-send packet. All neighboring transmitting apparatuses that can hear this clear-to-send packet should prohibit themselves from sending packets during the period specified in the clear-to-send packet to avoid colliding with a data packet that will soon be sent from the transmitting apparatus to the receiving apparatus.