Multi-protocol Frame Header for IEEE 802.11p and 802.11bd
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular communication standards, such as IEEE 802.11p, face limitations in throughput and range, necessitating the development of backward-compatible protocols like IEEE 802.11bd to enhance communication efficiency and coverage in vehicular environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a transceiver capable of operating with both IEEE 802.11p and IEEE 802.11bd protocols, using a communication controller to generate frame headers compatible with both standards, which support extended throughput and range variants by modifying legacy header fields and adding non-legacy signal fields, while maintaining backward compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If IEEE 802.11p protocol is used, then backward compatibility is maintained, but communication throughput and range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal frame header format that can operate in both IEEE 802.11p mode and IEEE 802.11bd mode. The header structure includes legacy fields for 802.11p compatibility plus optional extended fields for 802.11bd enhanced throughput and range, allowing a single device to serve multiple communication standards without requiring separate hardware paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds the IEEE 802.11p legacy header fields within the IEEE 802.11bd frame structure. The extended header format nests the legacy signaling fields (LSIG, etc.) as a subset of the broader header structure, allowing legacy devices to parse the common fields while new devices can access the extended fields for enhanced functionality.
2Length of stationary object
If IEEE 802.11bd protocol is used, then communication throughput and range are extended, but compatibility with legacy systems is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transceiver is designed with multi-functionality to handle both legacy 802.11p and enhanced 802.11bd communication modes. The same physical layer device can dynamically switch between protocol versions and interpret header fields accordingly, providing extended range when needed while maintaining compatibility with legacy vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic header format selection where the system can adaptively choose between legacy and extended header formats based on the communication mode. The controller dynamically adjusts which fields are transmitted and interpreted, allowing the system to flex between 802.11p and 802.11bd operation depending on the operational requirements.
3Productivity
If legacy header fields are used, then compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but communication efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the header into distinct legacy fields and extended fields. The legacy portion handles basic compatibility requirements while the extended portion adds efficiency enhancements. This segmentation allows receivers to selectively process only the legacy fields if needed, while transmitters can include extended fields when higher efficiency is required, balancing complexity and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the extended header fields optional and context-dependent. Rather than uniformly increasing complexity throughout the entire header, the enhancement is localized to specific fields (such as signal fields, training fields) where it provides the most benefit for extended throughput and range, while leaving the basic legacy structure intact.
Data Source
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AI summary
Communication apparatus (22, 26, 27, 30) includes a transceiver (38) configured to transmit and receive signals over a wireless channel in accordance with both a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol. The second communication protocol is backward- compatible with the first communication protocol, and has a first variant having an extended communication throughput, which is greater than the nominal communication throughput of the first protocol, and a second variant having an extended range, which is greater than the nominal range of the first protocol. A communication controller (32, 42) generates data frames (50, 78, 84) for transmission by the transceiver, including frame headers (52, 54) in a header format that is compatible both with the first communication protocol and with both the first and second variants of the second communication protocol. The header format defines first fields having respective first values provided to support the first variant and second fields having respective second values provided to support the second variant.