Multi-Access Point Coordination Frames for Parameter Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems lack a mechanism for exchanging transmission parameters to coordinate multi-access points (M-APs) effectively, hindering efficient network performance and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A multi-access point (M-AP) coordination method that involves transmitting and receiving a coordination control frame with enhanced user information fields, enabling coordinated transmission parameters sharing between access points, facilitating techniques like coordinated spatial reuse (CSR), coordinated beam-forming (CBF), and coordinated time division multiple access (TDMA).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If M-AP coordination schemes are implemented to enhance network performance and reliability, then network efficiency and user experience are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for coordination mechanisms between access points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoidcoordination mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coordination control frame as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates communication and parameter exchange between access points. This frame serves as a standardized mediator that carries coordination information, enabling M-AP coordination without requiring complex direct coordination protocols between APs, thus improving reliability while managing complexity through a structured intermediate format

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If coordination control frames with user information fields are exchanged between access points, then transmission parameter coordination is enabled, but loss of information increases due to the additional overhead and potential for transmission errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination information loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The coordination control frame incorporates feedback mechanisms where access points exchange transmission parameters and coordination information through standardized fields. This structured feedback loop enables accurate parameter coordination while minimizing information loss through defined field formats that ensure complete and consistent information exchange between APs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple user information fields are included in coordination control frames to support multiple access points, then adaptability increases for different M-AP scenarios, but device complexity increases due to the need to process and manage multiple fields

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveM-AP coordination adaptabilityVSAvoidfield processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coordination control frame is segmented into multiple user information fields, each dedicated to specific coordination parameters or access points. This segmentation allows the system to handle different M-AP scenarios adaptably by including or excluding specific fields as needed, while simplifying processing by dividing complex coordination data into manageable, purpose-specific segments that can be handled independently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4615128A1Multi-access point coordination method, wireless communication device, and multi-access point coordination system capable of triggering coordinated transmission
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP4615128A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4615128A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4615128A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A multi-access point (M-AP) coordination method comprises receiving a coordination control frame, by a processor of a second access point (AP), wherein the coordination control frame is transmitted from a first AP, wherein the coordination control frame comprises at least one user information field for at least one shared AP, and each of the at least one user information field comprises an AP ID of a shared AP and coordination transmission parameters information of the shared AP; identifying, by the processor, the second AP as the shared AP if the AP ID of the second AP is in one user information field; and transmitting, by the processor, a packet during a transmission opportunity (TX OP) shared by the first AP based on the coordination transmission parameters information in the user information field containing the AP ID of the second AP.