MAC Frame Overhead Reduction via Selective Field Omission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication protocols in portable devices result in high overhead due to repetitive frame parameters in multi-frame data transfers, leading to increased power consumption and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
A transceiver apparatus with a MAC controller and PHY controller that selectively omits or alters portions of the MAC frame, configuring the physical protocol data unit to indicate these changes, thereby reducing the number of transmitted bits and conserving power by omitting repetitive frame parameters after the initial frame is acknowledged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complete MAC frames with all fields are transmitted for each data transfer, then data integrity and protocol compliance are ensured, but overhead increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the essential fields of the MAC frame (such as frame control, destination address, source address, and data) while omitting redundant fields (such as length, CRC, and other optional fields) that can be inferred or are not critical for basic communication. This selective extraction reduces the number of transmitted bits and lowers power consumption while maintaining data integrity through alternative error checking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting a simplified version of the MAC frame that includes only the necessary fields for reliable communication. Instead of transmitting the complete frame structure every time, the system transmits partial frame information and uses the PHY layer indication bits to signal the receiver about the omitted fields, achieving energy efficiency while preserving essential communication functionality.
2Reliability
If all frame parameters are included in every MAC frame, then protocol compliance and data reliability are maintained, but the size of each frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes redundant frame parameters from each MAC frame transmission. Specifically, it extracts only the critical fields needed for protocol compliance and data integrity, while omitting fields that can be derived from context or previously transmitted frames. The PHY layer indication bits provide metadata about the frame structure without increasing the actual payload size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing communication context and frame structure expectations before actual data transmission. The PHY layer configuration and indication bits are set in advance to inform the receiver about the simplified frame structure, allowing the receiver to correctly interpret the transmitted data without requiring all standard MAC frame fields to be present.
3Loss of information
If complete MAC frames are transmitted for each data unit, then all necessary information is conveyed, but the number of transmitted bits increases overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the essential information fields while removing redundant bits. By identifying and transmitting only the critical data elements (frame control, addresses, payload) and omitting redundant fields, the system reduces the total number of transmitted bits while preserving information completeness through the use of PHY layer indication bits that convey structural information about the omitted fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by transmitting condensed representations of frame information rather than complete duplicates of standard MAC frames. The simplified frame structure serves as a copy of the essential information, with the understanding that certain fields are omitted but can be reconstructed or inferred at the receiver using the PHY layer indications and communication context.
4Adaptability or versatility
If standard MAC frame structure is used for all transmissions, then protocol compatibility is ensured, but power consumption increases due to repetitive parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the MAC frame structure adaptable rather than static. The frame structure dynamically adjusts its content based on the communication context, transmitting only the fields that are necessary for the current transmission. The PHY layer indication bits provide a mechanism for dynamically signaling the frame structure variations, allowing the system to maintain protocol compatibility while optimizing for energy efficiency in each specific transmission scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the MAC frame by selectively omitting certain fields and modifying the frame structure. Instead of using a fixed standard MAC frame structure for all transmissions, the system varies the frame parameters (which fields are present, their positions, and their formats) based on the specific communication requirements. The PHY layer indication bits signal these parameter changes to ensure the receiver can correctly interpret the variable frame structure while maintaining protocol compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a transceiver having a MAC controller and a PHY controller. The MAC controller is configured to selectively omit at least a portion of a field of a media access control (MAC) frame. The PHY controller is configured to insert the MAC frame into a physical protocol data unit and to selectively configure a portion of the physical protocol data unit to indicate omission of at least the portion of the field from the MAC frame.