Wireless Mesh MU Grouping for OFDMA and MU-MIMO Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless mesh networks face inefficiencies in managing wireless channel resources, leading to suboptimal utilization and performance in multi-user communication scenarios.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multi-user (MU) association groups within a wireless mesh network, where a mesh node acts as an MU group head to allocate wireless channel resources for concurrent transmissions among peer nodes using techniques like OFDMA and MU-MIMO, optimizing resource allocation and traffic management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional single-user communication methods are used in wireless mesh networks, then device complexity is reduced, but wireless channel utilization and network capacity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless mesh network into multiple MU association groups, each managed by an MU group head. This segmentation allows concurrent MU communications to occur in parallel across different groups, improving wireless channel utilization while distributing management complexity across multiple group heads rather than requiring a single centralized controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new organizational dimension by creating MU association groups with designated group heads, adding a hierarchical layer to the traditional flat mesh network structure. This dimensional change enables efficient resource allocation and concurrent transmissions without significantly increasing individual node complexity.
2Productivity
If concurrent transmissions are enabled in wireless mesh networks, then network capacity increases, but resource allocation complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling each MU group head to autonomously allocate wireless channel resources within its own association group using local information. This distributed self-service approach increases network capacity through concurrent transmissions while avoiding the need for complex centralized resource allocation, as each group head independently manages its own group's resources.
3Reliability
If MU association groups are implemented, then quality of service improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing mesh nodes that can function both as regular members and as MU group heads. This multi-functionality allows nodes to adapt their role based on network conditions, improving quality of service through organized MU communications while avoiding the need for dedicated complex infrastructure, as any mesh node can serve as a group head when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for implementing multi-user (MU) communication in a wireless mesh network. A first mesh node or a network management unit may collect information from various mesh nodes and form MU association groups based on the information. An MU association group may include an MU group head that coordinates MU group communication to or from member mesh nodes that are in the MU association group. For example, the MU group head may coordinate orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) resource unit allocations, or MU multiple-input-multiple-output (MU-MEMO) spatial stream configurations, among other examples. Different MU association groups may be formed for uplink or downlink traffic. The creation of MU association groups may enable a wireless mesh network to realize the advantages of MU group communication within the flexible topology of a mesh environment.