Fast Control Messaging Frames in Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless networks face inefficiencies in data throughput due to high overhead from control messaging frames, which are typically sent at low data rates and occupy significant time, hindering effective data transfer.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of fast control messaging (FCM) frames that integrate MAC layer control bits into the PLCP header, eliminating the need for a PSDU, and using modified CRC fields or dedicated bits to indicate FCM frames, allowing for reduced network overhead and efficient control information exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control frames are sent at low data rates to ensure all stations can receive and understand them, then reliability of control message delivery is improved, but transmission time increases causing higher overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges MAC layer control information with PLCP layer signaling by placing control bits directly in the PLCP header. This combining of functions allows control messages to be transmitted as part of the physical layer preamble without requiring separate MAC frame transmissions, thereby reducing total transmission time while maintaining reliability through the robust PLCP signaling mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments control information into two parts: critical control bits are placed in the PLCP header for immediate transmission at high data rates, while less time-sensitive control information remains in the MAC layer PSDU. This segmentation allows time-critical control messages to be transmitted quickly without compromising reliability
2Loss of information
If control frames include complete MAC layer information in PSDU, then completeness of control information is improved, but frame size increases causing higher overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts essential control information from the MAC layer PSDU and places it directly in the PLCP header. This extraction eliminates the need to transmit redundant control information in both layers, reducing overall frame size and transmission time while maintaining control information completeness through the streamlined PLCP-header-based control mechanism
3Adaptability or versatility
If control frames are transmitted using traditional PPDU structure with PLCP preamble and header, then compatibility with existing wireless standards is improved, but overhead increases reducing data throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control functions across multiple protocol layers by implementing control bits in the PLCP header, eliminating the need for separate MAC control frames. This merging reduces the total number of frames required for control operations, decreases overhead, and improves data throughput while maintaining compatibility with existing 802.11 standards through proper PLCP header formatting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal control mechanism that operates at the PLCP layer, serving multiple control functions (RTS/CTS, ACK, CTS-to-self) through a single unified approach. This multi-functional control system reduces the variety and number of control frames needed, thereby reducing overhead and improving throughput while remaining compatible with standard wireless protocols
Data Source
AI summary
In a wireless network according to embodiments of the present invention, fast control messaging frames are used to signal control information. A fast control messaging (“FCM”) frame includes MAC layer control bits in a PLCP header, obviating the need for a PSDU. These frames can be used in 802.11n wireless networks as well as in other suitable 802.11x networks as well as non-802.11x networks to exchange control information while significantly reducing network overhead. In some embodiments, some information that might have been conveyed to a receiver's MAC layer in a PSDU is conveyed by including that information is a PLCP header and having logic within the receiver's PHY layer processing to process that information and convey that information up to the receiver's MAC layer in a simulated PSDU or other method. The indicator of an FCM frame can be a bit in a PLCP header, a modification of a CRC field of the PLCP header, or other indicator. The medication of the CRC field of the PLCP header can be an inversion of the CRC field, a translation of the CRC field by a constant value, or both, or some other variation.