Partial Channel Puncturing for 6 GHz WLAN Exclusion Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face inefficiencies in sharing the 6 GHz unlicensed frequency band with incumbent systems, leading to restricted bandwidth and performance issues due to traditional full channel puncturing methods that do not align with non-uniform Exclusion BW Zones.

Innovation Solution

Implementing partial channel puncturing techniques that allow modulated data transmission on non-overlapping portions of channels within the Exclusion BW Zones, using enhanced clear channel assessment methods to optimize channel usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If full channel puncturing is used to avoid Exclusion BW Zones, then interference with incumbent systems is avoided, but available bandwidth is reduced and throughput is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference avoidanceVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the channel into multiple sub-channels or frequency portions, allowing the system to transmit data on non-overlapping portions of channels that do not interfere with incumbent systems while still utilizing available bandwidth. This segmentation enables partial channel usage rather than complete channel avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different channel usage strategies to different portions of the frequency spectrum. Instead of uniformly avoiding entire channels, the system identifies specific local portions (sub-channels) that can be used for data transmission while avoiding only the overlapping portions with Exclusion BW Zones, thereby optimizing throughput where safe.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If traditional channel puncturing methods are used, then channel access is simplified, but channel utilization efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access simplicityVSAvoidchannel utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic channel selection and puncturing based on real-time detection of Exclusion BW Zones and incumbent system transmissions. The system adapts its channel usage strategy dynamically, switching between different puncturing patterns (full or partial) depending on the detected spectrum conditions, thereby optimizing utilization without complicating the basic channel access mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If partial channel puncturing is implemented, then available bandwidth is increased, but system complexity increases due to enhanced clear channel assessment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable bandwidthVSAvoidclear channel assessment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clear channel assessment process is segmented into multiple detection stages: first detecting the presence of Exclusion BW Zones, then detecting incumbent system transmissions within those zones, and finally determining which specific sub-channels can be used. This segmentation allows the system to achieve partial channel puncturing by breaking down the complex assessment into manageable steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection and classification of Exclusion BW Zones and incumbent transmissions before finalizing the channel selection. By preparing the channel map and identifying constrained portions in advance, the system reduces the complexity of real-time decision-making during actual data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4247092B1Wireless communication with partial channel puncturing
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4247092B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4247092B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4247092B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for wireless communication with partial channel puncturing. Using partial channel puncturing, a wireless local area network (WLAN) device may modulate data on a first portion of a wireless channel while refraining from modulating data on a second portion of the wireless channel. The partial channel puncturing can be used with an exclusion bandwidth zone defined for the WLAN. The exclusion bandwidth zone prevents transmissions on portions of channels so that the WLAN transmissions do not interfere with an incumbent system transmission in the exclusion bandwidth zone.