PPDU Feedback Signaling for Concurrent Wi-Fi Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Wi-Fi devices struggle to simultaneously perform communication and sensing measurements due to conflicts that degrade communication quality of service (QoS) or sensing quality.
Innovation Solution
A PPDU transmission method that includes generating and sending a data frame with indication information to determine the transmit power and quantity of fields for sensing, allowing concurrent communication and sensing by adjusting the PPDU feedback and fields used for sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sensing measurement and communication are performed simultaneously using existing Wi-Fi devices, then both functions can be executed, but communication quality of service (QoS) degrades or sensing quality degrades due to conflicts between the two functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of transmit power and quantity of fields used for sensing based on real-time communication requirements. The first communication apparatus determines these parameters and notifies the second communication apparatus, allowing the system to adaptively balance communication and sensing resources. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by enabling simultaneous operation while preventing quality degradation through real-time parameter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters (transmit power and quantity of fields for sensing) to resolve the conflict between communication and sensing. By adjusting these parameters based on communication needs and notifying the peer device, the system can simultaneously perform both functions while maintaining acceptable quality levels for both communication QoS and sensing accuracy.
2Productivity
If transmit power of second PPDU is determined by indication information in first data frame, then communication and sensing can be coordinated, but device complexity increases due to additional signaling and coordination mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the first data frame serve multiple functions: it carries both communication data and sensing coordination information (indication information for transmit power and field quantity). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling messages, thereby coordinating communication and sensing while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service coordination where each communication apparatus uses the indication information from the peer's data frame to automatically adjust its own transmit parameters. This self-adjusting mechanism reduces the need for complex centralized control, achieving coordinated operation with minimal additional complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application relates to the wireless communication field and is applied to a sensing system supporting, for example, the 802.11bf protocol or a next-generation sensing protocol, and in particular, relates to a PPDU transmission method and apparatus. The method includes: An AP generates and sends a data frame, where a MAC header of the data frame includes indication information, used to determine transmit power of a PPDU from a STA and a quantity of HE-LTFs/EHT-LTFs in the PPDU. According to this application, communication and sensing measurement can be simultaneously performed. This application is further applied to a WLAN system that supports 802.11ax and a next-generation Wi-Fi protocol, for example, 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, or EHT, or for another example, 802.11 series protocols such as a next generation of 802.11be, like Wi-Fi 8, UHR, and Wi-Fi AI, and may be further applied to a UWB-based WPAN system.