MAC Device Rate Adaptation via Iterative Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communications systems are unable to adjust transmission parameters of frames once they are stored in the queue, leading to inefficiencies when channel conditions degrade, as they rely on fixed rates and lack adaptive mechanisms to ensure successful transmission.
Innovation Solution
A medium access control (MAC) device with a queue module and control module that stores multiple transmission parameter specifications and count values, allowing for iterative attempts using different specifications until successful transmission or reaching a predetermined count, enabling dynamic rate adaptation and parameter adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed transmission rates are used for frames in the queue, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates when channel conditions degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic rate adaptation by allowing transmission parameters to change based on channel conditions. The MAC device monitors transmission success and automatically adjusts the transmission rate for subsequent frames, transitioning from static fixed rates to dynamic adaptive rates, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the outcome of each transmission attempt is monitored and used to adjust future transmission parameters. When a frame transmission fails or succeeds, this information feeds back into the rate adaptation algorithm, which then selects appropriate transmission rates for subsequent frames, creating a closed-loop control system that improves reliability adaptively
2Adaptability or versatility
If transmission parameters are fixed after queuing, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when channel conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The MAC device performs self-adjustment of transmission parameters without external intervention. The rate adaptation mechanism automatically monitors channel conditions and modifies transmission rates based on observed performance, enabling the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes multiple transmission parameter specifications (different rates) in advance and stores them for selective use. When channel conditions change, the system can quickly switch between pre-defined parameter sets rather than calculating new parameters in real-time, thereby achieving adaptability while maintaining operational efficiency
3Reliability
If multiple transmission parameter specifications are stored and iteratively attempted, then reliability is improved through adaptation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments transmission parameters into discrete, manageable specifications (different rates) that can be individually stored and selected. Instead of dealing with continuous parameter optimization, the system divides the parameter space into distinct rate options, making the management of multiple specifications more tractable while still enabling effective adaptation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes transmission parameters (specifically transmission rate) in response to observed channel conditions. By systematically varying this key parameter based on feedback from transmission outcomes, the system achieves reliable adaptation without requiring complex multi-parameter optimization, focusing changes on the most critical parameter
Data Source
AI summary
A medium access control (MAC) device comprises memory, a queue module, and a control module. Memory stores N transmission parameter specifications and N−1 count values, each count value being associated with one of the N specifications, where N is an integer greater than one. The queue module stores a plurality of frames. The control module receives a first frame of the plurality of frames from the queue module and selectively attempts to transmit the first frame using a first specification of the N specifications until at least one of successful transmission occurs, a number of unsuccessful transmissions is equal to one of the N−1 count values associated with the first specification, and a predetermined period expires. The control module selectively attempts to transmit the first frame using a second specification of the N specifications when transmission of the first frame is unsuccessful using the first specification.