PHY Preamble Transmission for MAC Processing Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Next-generation wireless networks, such as WiMedia UWB, face challenges in optimizing medium access control (MAC) processing time due to the need for immediate data preparation for frame transmission, which limits flexibility and efficiency in data communication.

Innovation Solution

The physical layer (PHY) transmits the first part of a response frame without information from the MAC layer, allowing the MAC to have additional time for data preparation by separating the preamble transmission from the data transmission, thereby increasing the time available for preparing the response frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the MAC layer prepares data immediately for frame transmission, then the transmission speed is improved, but the MAC processing time is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidMAC processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The response frame is segmented into two parts: a first part (preamble) that can be transmitted without MAC layer data, and a second part that contains the actual data from the MAC layer. This segmentation allows the physical layer to begin transmission immediately while the MAC layer continues preparing the data portion, thus resolving the contradiction between transmission speed and processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the physical layer waits for complete data from the MAC layer before transmission, then the data accuracy is improved, but the transmission delay is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidtransmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The physical layer performs preliminary transmission of the frame preamble before the MAC layer has completed preparing the data portion. This preliminary action allows the transmission to start earlier without compromising data accuracy, as the data portion is subsequently filled in once ready, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and transmission delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the interframe space is reduced for faster transition, then the network efficiency is improved, but the MAC preparation time is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidMAC preparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the frame transmission into a preamble portion and a data portion, the system allows the physical layer to start transmission during the reduced interframe space while the MAC layer continues preparing data. This maintains the shortened interframe space for network efficiency while preserving adequate MAC preparation time through the segmented approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8705336B2Delayed data feeding for increased media access control processing time

Publication Date: 2014.04.22 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A system and method are provided that are operable for network communications that promote network devices to receive a transmit request, transmit a first part of a frame by a physical layer without a second part of the frame from a medium access control layer, and request the second part of the frame by the physical layer from the medium access control layer. These systems and methods also allow, in some embodiments, for the transmitting of the second part of the frame by the physical layer with data from the medium access control layer.