Coordinated OFDMA Trigger Frames for Access Point Allocation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The IEEE 802.11 standard lacks a defined procedure for allocating frequency resources for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communication among multiple access point devices, making it difficult to optimize frequency resource allocation for improved communication efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An access point device that uses a trigger frame to allocate frequency resources to cooperating access points, including identification information and resource allocation details, enabling coordinated OFDMA communication among multiple access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple access points perform OFDMA communication at the same timing without a defined allocation procedure, then communication efficiency can be improved through coordinated operation, but frequency resource allocation becomes difficult and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trigger frame as an intermediary control mechanism that mediates frequency resource allocation among multiple access points. The trigger frame carries resource allocation information and coordinates OFDMA communication timing, serving as a mediator between the need for coordinated operation and the lack of defined allocation procedures in the standard.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having access points collect information about stations and frequency resources in advance before the actual OFDMA communication. The trigger frame is prepared and transmitted beforehand to allocate frequency resources, ensuring that coordinated communication can proceed efficiently without ad-hoc allocation issues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequency resources are allocated dynamically to multiple access points, then resource utilization improves, but the complexity of coordination and control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it allocates frequency resources, coordinates transmission timing, identifies target access points, and carries control information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the trigger frame to dynamically allocate frequency resources. By modifying parameters such as frequency resource identifiers, timing information, and access point identifiers within the trigger frame, the system achieves flexible resource allocation without requiring complex structural changes to the coordination mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An access point device transmits, in communication in which one or more other cooperating access points use Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) technology based on at least externally collected information, a trigger frame including information indicating a frequency resource to be used for communication with a station under control thereof to the one or more other cooperating access points. The trigger frame includes information in which identification information that identifies another access point and information indicating a frequency resource to be allocated to the other access point are associated with each other, and the trigger frame allocates a transmission opportunity using a different frequency resource to each of the one or more other cooperating access points.