Multi-AP Null Data Packet Feedback Report Coordination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of efficient procedures for multi-access point (AP) based null data packet (NDP) feedback reports in Extremely High Throughput (EHT) WLAN, which hinders the improvement of throughput in EHT WLAN compared to 802.11ax High Efficiency (HE) WLAN, especially for cell-edge STAs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a communication apparatus and method that generates and transmits frames to initiate a multi-AP based NDP feedback report procedure, including a MAP Announcement frame to indicate the type of procedure, such as sequential or joint, and subsequent EHT Trigger frames to solicit NDP feedback from STAs, allowing for coordinated resource allocation and tone group assignment across multiple BSSs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multi-AP coordination is enabled to provide peak throughput increase, then throughput capacity is improved, but efficient procedure for multi-AP based NDP feedback report is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethroughput capacityVSAvoidprocedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the NDP feedback report procedure into distinct types (sequential and joint) with different execution flows. The sequential type processes feedback from one AP at a time, while the joint type processes feedback from multiple APs simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to choose the appropriate procedure based on network conditions, resolving the complexity issue while maintaining high throughput capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic procedure selection where the AP can choose between sequential and joint NDP feedback report procedures based on real-time network conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the feedback mechanism to optimize throughput while managing complexity through adaptive rather than fixed procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If cell-edge STA throughput is improved through multi-AP coordination, then spectral efficiency is enhanced, but interference between cell-edge STAs increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell-edge STA throughputVSAvoidinterference between cell-edge STAs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different tone groups to different APs in the multi-AP system. Each AP is assigned specific tone groups for feedback transmission, ensuring that cell-edge STAs from different APs use different frequency resources. This local differentiation reduces interference between cell-edge STAs while maintaining improved throughput through multi-AP coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If larger number of STAs are supported through coordinated feedback, then system capacity is improved, but feedback coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of STAsVSAvoidfeedback coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the feedback procedures of multiple APs into a unified joint NDP feedback report procedure. Instead of managing separate feedback coordination for each AP, the system combines them into a single coordinated process where multiple APs transmit feedback simultaneously using different tone groups. This merging approach increases the number of supported STAs while managing coordination complexity through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20230370237A1Communication apparatus and communication method for multiple access point based null data packet feedback report

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a communication apparatus comprising: circuity, which, in operation, generates a first frame to initiate a null data packet (NDP) feedback report procedure; and a transmitter, which, in operation, transmits the first frame to one or more peer communication apparatuses, wherein the first frame comprises a first field indicating an intended type of NDP feedback report procedure.