OFDMA Resource Unit Allocation for Mixed WLAN Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless local-area networks (WLANs) face challenges in efficiently allocating bandwidth for multiple devices using Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), particularly in mixed environments with legacy protocols, leading to difficulties in sharing the wireless medium effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a resource allocation method for WLANs that utilizes OFDMA tone allocation designs, allowing for efficient bandwidth allocation across different frequency bands, including 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, using resource units (RUs) of varying sizes, and supporting both high-efficiency (HEW) and legacy devices through scheduled transmission opportunities, enabling concurrent communication with HEW stations and legacy devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If OFDMA is used to allow multiple devices to share the wireless medium simultaneously, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but device complexity and allocation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The available bandwidth is divided into multiple resource units (RUs) of different sizes (e.g., 26, 52, 104, 242 tones). Each RU can be independently allocated to different wireless devices, enabling flexible and efficient bandwidth utilization while simplifying the allocation process through standardized unit sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects appropriate RU sizes and configurations based on the number of active devices, their channel conditions, and traffic requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize bandwidth utilization for different scenarios while maintaining manageable allocation complexity through automated resource unit selection.
2Quantity of substance
If the wireless medium is shared among many devices, then network capacity is improved, but determining how to share the medium effectively becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless medium is segmented into multiple resource units that can be independently assigned to different devices. This segmentation enables the system to accommodate many devices simultaneously by allocating appropriate RUs to each device, while the standardized RU structure simplifies the sharing determination process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes allocation parameters such as RU size, number of RUs, and frequency position based on the number of devices and their requirements. This parameter adaptation allows the system to effectively share the medium among varying numbers of devices while maintaining operational simplicity through structured allocation rules.
3Adaptability or versatility
If resource allocations are made in multiples of basic allocations, then allocation flexibility is improved, but unused tones increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bandwidth is divided into fine-grained resource units of 26 tones, which serve as the basic allocation unit. This fine segmentation allows the system to allocate bandwidth in small increments, reducing unused tones while maintaining flexibility through combinations of multiple 26-tone RUs or larger aggregated RUs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allocates resource units in multiples of the basic 26-tone unit, allowing partial utilization of larger bandwidth allocations. By allocating exactly the number of RUs needed rather than forcing full utilization of larger blocks, the system reduces unused tones while maintaining allocation flexibility through the modular RU structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Wireless devices, methods, and computer readable media are disclosed. A high-efficiency wireless local-area network (HEW) master station is disclosed. The HEW master station may include circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to generate one or more resource allocations of a bandwidth for one or more HEW stations. Each resource allocation for a first portion of the bandwidth may be a multiple of a basic resource allocation or the entire first portion of the bandwidth. There may be only one resource allocation for a second portion of the bandwidth that is at least as large as the first portion of the bandwidth. In some embodiments, each resource allocation for the second portion of the bandwidth may be a multiple of the basic resource allocation or the entire second portion of the bandwidth.