Multi-Link WLAN STR Channel Sensing After EIFS Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless LAN systems supporting multi-links, simultaneous transmit and receive (STR) operations are hindered by interference between adjacent bands, preventing effective communication performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow for channel access operations in multi-links by performing carrier sensing after an Extended InterFrame Space (EIFS) from a busy state or receiving information on channel usage time from an access point, ensuring fair transmission operations and minimizing time inefficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-link operations are performed using adjacent bands, then communication throughput is improved, but interference between adjacent bands prevents simultaneous transmit and receive operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel access procedure into distinct phases: EIFS period for interference avoidance, followed by separate carrier sensing operations for each link. This segmentation allows the system to handle interference from adjacent bands by isolating the sensing operations in time, enabling multi-link operations to proceed effectively despite the interference between adjacent bands
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary carrier sensing operations during the EIFS period before actual data transmission begins. By performing this preliminary sensing action, the system identifies available channels in advance, ensuring that simultaneous transmit and receive operations can be coordinated properly across multiple links without suffering from adjacent band interference
2Loss of time
If carrier sensing is performed immediately after transmission ends, then channel access efficiency is improved, but interference from adjacent bands causes detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the EIFS (Extended Interframe Space) period as a cushioning interval between transmission end and carrier sensing begin. This beforehand cushioning allows the system to wait out the interference from adjacent bands before attempting to sense the channel, ensuring that carrier sensing is performed only after interference has subsided, thus maintaining both timing efficiency and detection accuracy
3Productivity
If simultaneous transmit and receive operations are performed on adjacent links, then communication performance is improved, but interference prevents fair transmission operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each link independently performs carrier sensing and reports channel status, allowing the system to make informed decisions about simultaneous transmit and receive operations. This feedback approach ensures that interference conditions are continuously monitored and responded to, maintaining transmission fairness across multiple links while still enabling improved communication performance through coordinated multi-link operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for STR in a wireless LAN that supports multi-links are disclosed. An operating method of a first communication node comprises the steps of: transmitting a first frame to a second communication node through a first link from among multi-links; receiving, from the second communication node, a response frame for the first frame through the first link; checking a channel occupancy time in a second link from among the multi-links on the basis of first information included in the response frame; and performing a sensing operation in a preset section after the end of the channel occupancy time in the second link.