Frequency Aggregated PPDU for Multi-PHY WLAN Bandwidth Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current WLAN standards do not allow for the aggregation of Physical layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) of different PHY types, leading to inefficient bandwidth utilization due to limited PHY capabilities in some Stations (STAs).

Innovation Solution

An access point (AP) generates a trigger frame to solicit a Frequency Aggregated Physical layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) that includes PPDUs of multiple PHY types from multiple STAs, using a Common Info field and Special User Info fields to allocate resource units for trigger-based transmission, enabling the aggregation of HE, EHT, and UHR+ PPDUs across different bandwidths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current WLAN standards are used to transmit A-PPDUs, then transmission compatibility is maintained, but bandwidth utilization becomes inefficient due to non-utilized channel portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidPHY capability requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The channel bandwidth is segmented into multiple subchannels, each capable of carrying PPDUs with different PHY types. This allows the system to divide the available bandwidth into portions that can be independently utilized by STAs with different PHY capabilities, thereby improving overall bandwidth utilization without requiring all STAs to support the same PHY type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The A-PPDU structure is designed to be universal by accommodating multiple PHY types (HE, EHT, and future PHY types) within a single aggregated transmission. The common field and user information fields are structured to support different PHY types, enabling the system to function with diverse STA capabilities while maintaining a unified transmission framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If PPDUs of different PHY types are aggregated in A-PPDU, then bandwidth utilization improves, but frame structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidframe structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The A-PPDU frame is segmented into a common field and multiple user information fields, where each segment serves a specific function. The common field contains information applicable to all PPDUs in the aggregation, while user information fields contain PHY-specific parameters. This segmentation allows the frame structure to accommodate multiple PHY types without requiring complete redundancy of control information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the frame structure are optimized for different purposes: the common field uses a standardized format for compatibility, while user information fields can be customized according to the specific PHY type being carried. This allows each part of the frame to have the appropriate complexity level for its function, reducing overall frame complexity while supporting multiple PHY types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If STAs with limited PHY capabilities are supported, then device compatibility is maintained, but channel portions remain non-utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePHY type supportVSAvoidunused channel capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a frequency dimension to PHY type allocation by assigning different PHY types to different subchannels within the same A-PPDU transmission. Instead of limiting the entire channel to the lowest common denominator PHY type, the system utilizes the frequency dimension to accommodate multiple PHY types simultaneously, thereby eliminating unused channel capacity while maintaining support for STAs with limited PHY capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20230300818A1Frequency domain aggregated PPDU (FA-PPDU) comprising multiple PHY types

Publication Date: 2023.09.21 INTEL CORP

AI summary

An access point station (AP) generates a trigger frame (TF) for transmission to two or more non-AP stations (STAs) or groups of STAs. The trigger frame may allocate resource units (RUs) for a trigger-based (TB) transmission to the two or more STAs. The AP may encode the trigger frame to include a Common Info field followed by one or more Special User Info fields. The Common Info field and the one or more Special User Info fields and may be encoded to solicit (i.e., trigger) a trigger-based (TB) Frequency Aggregated Physical layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) (FA-PPDU) that includes more than one PPDU of at least two different physical layer (PHY) types from the two or more STAs or groups of STAs. The different PHY types may include high-efficiency (HE), Extremely High Throughput (EHT), Ultra-High Rate (UHR), and UHR+. Accordingly, an AP can trigger a FA-PPDU that includes TB PPDUs of different PHY types.