Extended Function Field for R2 Device Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 802.11be standard has limited reserved bits for available signaling in the PPDU field, making it challenging to support R2 devices with numerous features and functions.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an extended function field in the PPDU allows R2 devices to determine configuration information for features not supported by R1 devices, enabling effective support for R2 devices despite limited reserved bits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the existing PPDU field structure is used with limited reserved bits, then backward compatibility with R1 devices is maintained, but the ability to support R2 devices with numerous features and functions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The signaling space is segmented into two parts: the existing PPDU fields (U-SIG and EHT-SIG) that maintain backward compatibility with R1 devices, and a new extended function field that provides additional signaling capacity for R2 device features. This segmentation allows R2 devices to access extended features while R1 devices continue to operate with the original field structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension in the PPDU structure by adding the extended function field, which exists alongside the traditional U-SIG and EHT-SIG fields. This dimensional expansion provides additional signaling capacity without modifying the existing field structures, thereby supporting R2 device features while preserving R1 device compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new features for R2 devices are added to the existing PPDU fields, then functionality for R2 devices is improved, but the complexity of the PPDU structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the signaling into existing fields and a new extended function field, the patent avoids complicating the traditional PPDU structure. Each segment serves a specific purpose: existing fields for R1 compatibility and basic R2 features, extended function field for advanced R2 features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex R2-specific signaling requirements from the existing PPDU fields and places them in a separate extended function field. This extraction simplifies the overall structure by isolating complexity into a dedicated component that can be processed independently by R2 devices.
3Loss of information
If the existing PPDU field structure is maintained, then parsing simplicity for R1 devices is preserved, but the signaling capacity for R2 device configuration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signaling content so that R1 devices only need to parse the existing U-SIG and EHT-SIG fields, while R2 devices additionally parse the extended function field. This segmentation ensures that R1 device parsing remains simple while the overall signaling capacity is expanded for R2 devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended function field is designed to be universally compatible, where R2 devices can parse both the existing fields and the extended field, while R1 devices gracefully ignore the extended field. This multi-functionality approach allows the same PPDU structure to serve both R1 and R2 devices with appropriate parsing behavior.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application relate to the field of communication technologies, and provide a communication method and apparatus, and a system, to support an R2 device with numerous features and functions in the case of a small number of reserved bits for available signaling in an existing PPDU field. The method includes: A first device receives a PPDU including an extended function field, where the PPDU is sent by a second device, and parses the PPDU. When the first device is an R2 device, the R2 device may determine configuration information of a first feature of the R2 device based on the extended function field. The first feature is a feature supported by the R2 device but not supported by an R1 device.