Full Duplex WLAN Access Point Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems are half-duplex, limiting full-duplex operations due to self-interference issues, which existing methods like analog and digital cancellation in the RF front end and baseband fail to fully mitigate.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a scheduling procedure for a full-duplex wireless local area network (WLAN) access point that dynamically groups stations into half-duplex sets based on location information, using beamforming to reduce interference between sets, and determining channel state information to optimize beamforming parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If full duplex operation is implemented in the same band, then spectral efficiency and productivity are improved, but self-interference occurs between transmission and reception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of half-duplex stations into multiple half-duplex sets (first half-duplex set, second half-duplex set, etc.) based on their location information. This segmentation allows the access point to schedule transmissions such that stations in different sets operate in different half-duplex modes, thereby reducing self-interference while maintaining full-duplex operation in the same band.
2Adaptability or versatility
If analog and digital cancellation are used to mitigate self-interference, then full duplex operation is enabled, but the self-interference is not fully nulled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides half-duplex stations into multiple sets based on location information, creating spatial separation between transmitting and receiving stations. This segmentation approach complements analog and digital cancellation by reducing the residual self-interference that these cancellation methods cannot fully eliminate, thereby improving reliability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If dynamic grouping of stations into half-duplex sets is implemented, then interference is reduced and full duplex operation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary grouping of half-duplex stations into different sets based on location information before scheduling transmissions. This preliminary action simplifies the subsequent scheduling process, as the access point can directly assign stations to appropriate half-duplex sets without complex real-time interference calculations, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses location information as feedback to dynamically adjust the grouping of stations into half-duplex sets. This feedback mechanism allows the access point to optimize the grouping based on current spatial relationships, reducing interference while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic decision rules.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables concurrent transmission and reception in the same band by minimizing interference between half-duplex sets, allowing for efficient full-duplex operations while maintaining compatibility with legacy half-duplex stations.
Implementation Method 1
The AP may employ beamforming in the downlink direction and the STAs may employ beamforming in the uplink direction to reduce interference between full duplex in-band communications
Implementation Method 2
Researchers have shown that analog cancellation in the radio frequency (RF) front end followed by digital cancellation in the baseband can nullify/mitigate SI
Implementation Method 3
Researchers have shown that analog cancellation in the radio frequency (RF) front end followed by digital cancellation in the baseband can nullify/mitigate SI
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are described for wireless communication at an access point (AP). A scheduling procedure for using a full duplex wireless local area network (WLAN) AP with legacy station (STA) compatibility (e.g., half duplex) may be implemented. For example, a system may include a full duplex AP and have half duplex STAs with two antennas each. The scheduling procedure may involve dynamic grouping of STAs into half duplex sets, for example, based at least in part on location information of the STAs. The STAs may be grouped such that the AP is able to transmit to one of the half duplex sets while concurrently receiving from another of the half-duplex sets. The AP may employ beamforming, via the STAs, to reduce interference between full duplex in-band communications.