HE-SIG B Signaling Duplication for 802.11ax MU/OFDMA

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing IEEE 802.11ax technology lacks a detailed scheme for transmitting multiple signaling fields, particularly when providing MU/OFDMA services, which affects the efficient transmission and reception of frames including HE-SIG B.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a non-access point station and access point configurations that enable efficient transmission and reception of frames by duplicating or independently configuring HE-SIG B signaling information across 20 MHz channels, improving reliability and flexibility in channel allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple signaling fields are transmitted for MU/OFDMA services, then user service capability is improved, but frame structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMU/OFDMA service capabilityVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the HE-SIG B field into multiple subfields (first HE-SIG B subfield and second HE-SIG B subfield) that can be transmitted independently across different 20 MHz channels. This segmentation allows each subfield to carry specific user signaling information, enabling MU/OFDMA services while maintaining manageable frame structure complexity through modular organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a frequency domain dimension by transmitting different HE-SIG B subfields on different 20 MHz channels simultaneously. Instead of increasing time-domain complexity to accommodate multiple signaling fields, the solution distributes them across frequency channels, effectively adding a dimensional approach to multi-user service support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If HE-SIG B is duplicated across channels, then signal reliability is improved, but transmission time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transmits the first HE-SIG B subfield on the primary 20 MHz channel before transmitting the second HE-SIG B subfield on secondary channels. This preliminary action ensures that receiving devices can acquire essential signaling information from the primary channel first, improving reliability through sequential redundancy without requiring simultaneous transmission of all subfields, thus managing transmission time effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If detailed signaling scheme is implemented, then channel allocation flexibility is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel allocation flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different transmission strategies to different 20 MHz channels based on their specific roles. The primary channel carries the first HE-SIG B subfield with specific characteristics, while secondary channels carry the second HE-SIG B subfield. This local quality differentiation allows flexible channel allocation for different users while simplifying processing by assigning distinct, well-defined transmission patterns to each channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3860069B1Methods and apparatus for transmitting/receiving he-SIG b
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3860069B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3860069B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3860069B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus for transmitting frames having a signaling field (SIG) for a second type of station (STA) in a wireless communication system are provided. For this, STA prepares a frame having a first part for a first type of STA and a second part for the second type of STA. Here, the second part includes a first signaling field (HE-SIG A) for common control information and a second signaling field (HE-SIG B) for signaling information comprising user specific control information. Regarding the second signaling field, independent signaling information for the second signaling field (HE-SIG B) is to be transmitted for each 20 MHz bandwidth within a first 40 MHz bandwidth. And the signaling information of the first 40 MHz bandwidth is duplicated in a second 40 MHz bandwidth, when the frame is to be transmitted in a bandwidth equals to or greater than 80 MHz. STA transmits this prepared frame to one or more STAs.