Multicast Identifier in WLAN Preamble for Selective Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications, particularly in multicast transmissions within wireless local area networks (WLANs), stations often need to unnecessarily process and decode multicast frames that are not intended for them, leading to increased power consumption and processing time due to the inclusion of unintended subframes in multi-user physical layer protocol data units (MU-PPDU) frames.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a request frame with a multicast group address allows access points to determine a multicast identifier, which is then used by stations to selectively process multicast frames. This involves transmitting a request frame to an access point to obtain a multicast identifier, which is used to determine whether a multicast subframe is destined for the station, enabling the station to skip decoding if it is not intended for it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stations decode all multicast frames in MU-PPDU regardless of destination, then all multicast traffic is processed, but power consumption and processing time increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by including a multicast identifier in the preamble of the MU-PPDU frame before the actual data transmission. This allows stations to determine in advance whether the multicast frame is intended for them before committing to full decoding operations, thereby avoiding unnecessary power consumption and processing time for non-intended frames
2Reliability
If stations decode all multicast frames in MU-PPDU regardless of destination, then all multicast traffic is processed, but processing time increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by including a multicast identifier in the preamble of the MU-PPDU frame before the actual data transmission. This allows stations to determine in advance whether the multicast frame is intended for them before committing to full decoding operations, thereby avoiding unnecessary processing time for non-intended frames
3Productivity
If multicast identifier is included in preamble, then stations can selectively decode frames, but frame structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by utilizing the existing preamble structure of the MU-PPDU frame to carry the multicast identifier. The preamble, which is already a standard component of the frame structure, is enhanced to serve dual purposes: maintaining its original synchronization and signaling functions while also providing multicast group identification. This avoids adding separate overhead structures and minimizes frame structure complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for selectively decoding a multicast subframe in a multi-user frame for a wireless communications protocol. Embodiments include transmitting a request frame including a multicast group address for a multicast group to an access point (AP). The AP can determine a multicast identifier for the multicast group based on the multicast group address in the request frame. The AP can also transmit a response frame including the determined multicast identifier to a station (STA). The STA can receive a multi-user frame containing a multicast subframe from the AP. The STA can determine whether the multicast subframe is destined for the STA based on the determined multicast identifier and a multicast identifier stored in a preamble of the multi-user frame. The STA can determine whether to decode the multicast subframe based on the determination of whether the multicast subframe is destined for the STA.