Multiband WLAN Beamforming Protection Against Cross-Band Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-band operation techniques in wireless local area networks (WLANs) are inefficient due to the lack of effective protection mechanisms for beamforming training and directional transmissions, leading to interference and coverage issues across different frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiband Request to Send (MRTS) and Clear to Send (MCTS) transmissions on a secondary frequency band to schedule and protect beamforming operations on a primary frequency band, using MCS and power-controlled RTS/CTS signals to ensure seamless and interference-free communication across multiple bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-band operation techniques are implemented to support devices with multiple frequency channels, then bandwidth and throughput are improved, but interference and coverage issues arise across different frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency band operations by introducing separate RTS/CTS protection mechanisms for each band (5 GHz and 60 GHz). The 5 GHz band uses traditional RTS/CTS while the 60 GHz band uses enhanced MRTS/MCTS, allowing independent protection and management of each band to prevent cross-band interference while maintaining high throughput capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordination mechanism where the 5 GHz band RTS/CTS exchanges act as a mediator to protect and coordinate 60 GHz band beamforming training transmissions. This intermediary protection mechanism resolves interference issues by establishing clear transmission windows across bands without sacrificing the productivity gains from multi-band operation.
2Productivity
If beamforming training and directional transmissions are implemented on primary frequency band, then data throughput is improved, but protection mechanisms are lacking leading to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing RTS/CTS (and MRTS/MCTS for 60 GHz) protection mechanisms before actual beamforming training and directional data transmissions. This preliminary reservation of transmission rights ensures that high-throughput beamforming operations are protected from interference before they begin, resolving the reliability issue without compromising throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand cushioning by using power-controlled RTS/CTS signals that create a protection buffer around beamforming training transmissions. This cushioning mechanism absorbs potential interference from other devices, ensuring reliable beamforming operations while maintaining high data throughput through the protected directional transmissions.
3Reliability
If MCS and power-controlled RTS/CTS signals are used to protect beamforming operations, then interference-free communication is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different protection mechanisms tailored to each frequency band's specific requirements. The 5 GHz band uses standard RTS/CTS while the 60 GHz band uses enhanced MRTS/MCTS with beamforming-specific parameters. This localized approach achieves interference-free communication for each band's specific characteristics without unnecessarily complicating the entire device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting MCS levels and power control parameters for RTS/CTS signals based on the specific band and transmission conditions. This allows the system to achieve reliable interference-free communication by optimizing parameters for each scenario rather than using fixed complex mechanisms, thereby managing device complexity effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are provided to implement transmission scheduling. A multiband device may send a request via a first frequency band. The request may include a multiband Request to Send (MRTS) transmission. The request may be associated with a second frequency band and/or a beamforming training schedule. The first frequency band may be associated with a quasi-omni transmission and the second frequency band may be associated with a directional transmission. The first frequency band may be a 5 GHz band and the second frequency band may be a 60 GHz band. The multiband device may receive a multiband Clear to Send (MCTS) transmission via the first frequency band confirming the request. The multiband device may be configured to send a beamforming signal in accordance with the request, for example, via the second frequency band. The beamforming signal may be sent in accordance with a beamforming training schedule.