HE-STF Tone Plan for Mixed-Rate Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, the increasing volume and complexity of information transmitted leads to a significant overhead in bandwidth required for physical layer control signals, particularly in mixed-rate transmissions, necessitating improved power measurements and channel estimation accuracy to optimize resource usage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of high-efficiency (HE) systems with advanced tone allocation schemes and training field structures, such as HE-STF tone plans with specific periodicities, enables efficient power measurement and channel estimation, allowing for backward-compatible multiple access communications across various wireless standards like IEEE 802.11ax.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the volume and complexity of information communicated wirelessly increases, then the information transmission capacity improves, but the overhead bandwidth required for physical layer control signals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transmission capacityVSAvoidoverhead bandwidth for control signals
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the training field into distinct tone allocations: legacy tones for backward compatibility and HE tones for high-efficiency transmissions. This segmentation allows different rate devices to utilize only their required tone portions, reducing the overhead bandwidth consumed by control signals while maintaining high information transmission capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple types of traffic are concurrently sent from an access point to multiple terminals, then the network throughput improves, but the number of bits required for physical layer control information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidbits for physical layer control information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal tone plan structure that serves multiple functions simultaneously: legacy tones maintain backward compatibility with older devices, while HE tones enable high-efficiency multi-user transmissions. This multi-functionality allows the system to support concurrent traffic types without proportionally increasing control information overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If backward compatibility is maintained for low-rate uplink communications, then legacy device support is preserved, but the efficiency of signaling and packet acquisition deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackward compatibilityVSAvoidsignaling and packet acquisition efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different tone characteristics to different device types within the same transmission. Legacy devices receive traditional tone allocations optimized for their requirements, while HE-capable devices receive enhanced tone allocations. This localized optimization maintains backward compatibility for legacy devices while achieving high efficiency for modern devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3231147B1Training field tone plans for mixed-rate wireless communication networks
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3231147B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3231147B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3231147B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of wirelessly communicating a packet can include generating, at a wireless device, a packet including a training field based on a training field tone plan. The method further includes populating training tones in the training field tone plan by duplicating tone positions from a base training field one or more times, and adding one or more additional sub-band direct current (DC) tones or edge tones. The method further includes transmitting the packet.