Coordinated Monostatic Sensing in IEEE 802.11 EDMG Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless local area network (WLAN) sensing systems, particularly those using the IEEE 802.11bf standard, face limitations in efficiently performing coordinated monostatic sensing across multiple stations (STAs) in a parallel and coordinated manner.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an apparatus in an IEEE 802.11 EDMG station (STA) that is configured as a sensing responder in a coordinated monostatic sensing operation. This apparatus receives a DMG sensing request frame and transmits a monostatic sensing PPDU concurrently with other STAs on different channels, determined by the content of the BW field in the DMG sensing request frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple STAs perform sequential monostatic sensing one at a time, then each STA can complete its sensing measurement, but the overall sensing time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing operation into two distinct phases: a coordination phase where STAs exchange sensing parameters and allocate channels, and a parallel measurement phase where multiple STAs simultaneously perform monostatic sensing on different channels. This segmentation allows sequential coordination to enable parallel execution of measurements, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a channel dimension (frequency domain) to enable parallel sensing operations. By allocating different channels to different STAs for their monostatic sensing PPDUs, the system transforms a time-sequential process into a spatially-parallel process across multiple frequency resources, thereby improving productivity without compromising measurement precision.
2Productivity
If multiple STAs transmit sensing PPDUs simultaneously on the same channel, then productivity improves, but channel interference and measurement reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different channel resources to different STAs for their sensing transmissions. Each STA transmits its monostatic sensing PPDU on a specifically allocated channel, creating localized, interference-free measurement environments. This channel differentiation ensures that each STA's sensing operation maintains high reliability while the overall system achieves parallel productivity.
3Productivity
If STAs perform coordinated monostatic sensing with channel allocation, then parallel sensing efficiency improves, but system complexity and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing all channel allocation and coordination activities in an initial phase before the parallel sensing measurements begin. The coordination frame exchange establishes channel assignments, STA identifiers, and sensing parameters upfront, allowing subsequent parallel measurements to proceed without complex real-time coordination. This preliminary setup reduces the complexity burden during the actual sensing operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for coordinated monostatic sensing are provided, for example in associated with IEEE 802.11 EDMG stations which simultaneously transmit monostatic sensing PPDUs. DMG sensing request frames from a sensing initiator coordinate the sensing responders, and each frame includes a STA ID field, a Num of STAs in Exchange field and a BW field which are used to direct timing and channelization of the sensing PPDUs. In some embodiments, IEEE 802.11 service periods are allocated for transmission operations such as simultaneous monostatic sensing PPDUs on different channels, and related operations such as sensing request frames, sensing response frames, polls, reports, acknowledgments, etc. In some embodiments, IEEE 802.11 contention based access periods are used for the monostatic sensing. Responders determine whether or not they are recipient of a last sensing request frame and operate accordingly to transmit their monostatic sensing PPDU. Determination can be based on the STA ID field.