HARQ Block Sizing in WLAN PPDU Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) face performance degradation due to increased interference from neighboring devices, especially in environments with many Access Points (APs) and non-AP stations, and struggle to support real-time applications like video traffic effectively, requiring improved performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) protocols in WLANs, which involve error correction and retransmission techniques such as chase combining and incremental redundancy, to ensure reliable data transmission and improve peak PHY rates, especially in dense environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HARQ protocols are implemented in WLANs, then reliability and efficiency of data transmission are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission process into multiple HARQ processes that can operate in parallel. Each HARQ process handles specific data packets independently, allowing the system to manage complexity through modular organization while maintaining high reliability through coordinated retransmission across multiple processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring HARQ process parameters, buffer allocations, and feedback mechanisms before actual data transmission begins. This preparation reduces runtime complexity while ensuring reliable error correction and retransmission capabilities are ready when needed
2Productivity
If error correction and retransmission techniques are used, then peak PHY rates are improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by implementing multiple parallel HARQ processes that continuously transmit and retransmit data packets. When one process experiences errors requiring retransmission, other processes continue transmitting new data, ensuring continuous productive action and minimizing overall latency while maintaining peak PHY rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the system to dynamically switch between different HARQ processes based on channel conditions and transmission success. This dynamic allocation optimizes the balance between error correction and latency, enabling peak PHY rates when conditions are good while providing retransmission capability when errors occur
3Productivity
If HARQ protocols are implemented, then efficiency of data transmission is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing HARQ process structures that can handle multiple functions including error detection, error correction, retransmission coordination, and feedback management within a unified framework. This multi-functional approach improves transmission efficiency while managing device complexity through consolidated rather than separate implementations of each function
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining, by a Media Access Control (MAC) layer of a first wireless station, a total length of user data in a first Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU); determining, by the MAC layer, a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) block size; adding a first indication to a transmission vector, wherein the first indication indicates the total length of user data in the first PPDU; adding a second indication to the transmission vector, wherein the second indication indicates the HARQ block size; passing the transmission vector to a PHY layer of the first wireless station; generating, by the PHY layer, the first PPDU based on the first indication and the second indication, wherein the first PPDU includes a first set of HARQ blocks that each have a size equal to the HARQ block size; and transmitting the first PPDU to a second wireless station.