mmWave Wireless Clustering Management for Overlapping BSS Coexistence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly at 60 GHz, lack methods for non-PCP/non-AP stations to report overlapping Basic Service Sets (BSSs) and request PCP/AP clustering, leading to inadequate coexistence and user experience in dense environments.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enable non-PCP/non-AP stations to detect and report overlapping BSSs, requesting PCP/AP clustering by transmitting a Cluster Report element with specific timing and scheduling information, allowing for improved coexistence and interference mitigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-PCP/non-AP stations cannot report overlapping BSSs, then the system maintains simple operation, but coexistence between overlapping BSSs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoexistence between overlapping BSSsVSAvoidoperation complexity for stations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary reporting mechanism where non-PCP/non-AP stations can report overlapping BSS information to the PCP/AP through a standardized format. This intermediary structure enables stations to contribute to coexistence management without requiring complex direct coordination between all stations, thus improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If PCP/AP clustering is not enabled, then device complexity remains low, but interference between overlapping BSSs increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference between overlapping BSSsVSAvoidclustering management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by enabling stations to report overlapping BSS information before interference becomes critical. The PCP/AP uses this advance information to proactively configure clustering and scheduling parameters, preventing interference rather than reacting to it. This reduces the need for complex real-time interference management while maintaining low device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If stations cannot request clustering, then the system maintains simple scheduling, but spatial frequency sharing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial frequency sharing efficiencyVSAvoidclustering request management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where stations can request clustering based on their observed interference conditions and performance needs. The PCP/AP receives these feedback requests and makes informed decisions about enabling clustering and configuring scheduling parameters. This feedback loop improves spatial frequency sharing efficiency by allowing the system to adapt to actual network conditions while maintaining manageable device complexity through automated decision-making at the PCP/AP.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2537268B1CLUSTERING MANAGEMENT IN mmWAVE WIRELESS SYSTEMS

Publication Date: 2020.01.08 INTEL CORP

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Figure 3~4

AI summary

According to various embodiments, a method is disclosed that includes detecting if a first cluster capable PCP/AP is within range of a non-PCP/non-AP STA; and transmitting a message to a second cluster capable PCP/AP associated with the non-PCP/non-AP STA requesting that the second cluster capable PCP/AP start or continue the use of clustering in a basic service set (BSS) of the second cluster capable PCP/AP.