Rate Adapt Algorithm for Wireless Throughput Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless communication systems struggle to adapt data rates effectively in interference environments, leading to reduced throughput and increased packet errors due to the lack of consideration for interferers and varying link budgets.

Innovation Solution

A rate adapt algorithm that dynamically selects the optimal Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) based on real-time interference and link budget conditions by probing different data rates, tracking success rates, and adjusting data rates to maximize throughput, even in uncontrolled interference scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional wireless communication systems use fixed data rates, then system simplicity is maintained, but throughput is reduced and packet errors increase in interference environments

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidrate adaptation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic rate adaptation by continuously monitoring packet error rates and adjusting data rates based on current channel conditions. The system transitions from fixed rates to variable rates selected from multiple available rates, allowing throughput to be optimized according to real-time interference levels and link quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by collecting packet error rate statistics from transmitted packets and using this information to adjust future data rate selections. The rate adaptation process continuously receives feedback about channel conditions and modifies its behavior accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If data rates are increased to maximize throughput, then productivity improves, but packet error rates increase in interference environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughputVSAvoidpacket error rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the operating parameter (data rate) based on measured channel conditions. By monitoring packet error rates and adjusting the selected data rate from available options, the system adapts to varying interference levels, selecting higher rates when conditions permit and lower rates when interference is detected, thus balancing throughput and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary rate selection based on historical packet error rate statistics before actual data transmission. By pre-evaluating which data rates have performed well under current conditions and selecting from those rates, the system proactively avoids rates that would likely result in high error rates, thereby maintaining reliability while maximizing throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If rate adaptation is implemented to handle interference, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidalgorithm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rate adaptation system is self-regulating, automatically monitoring its own performance through packet error rate measurement and autonomously adjusting data rates without external intervention. The system serves itself by using its transmitted packets as test signals to evaluate channel conditions and make its own rate decisions, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses copies of transmitted packets (acknowledgments and error indicators) to gather information about channel conditions. By analyzing feedback copies about packet reception status, the system extracts valuable information about interference levels and link quality without requiring additional complex sensing hardware or protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Adaptability or versatility

If packet error rates are monitored for rate adaptation, then adaptability improves, but loss of information increases due to retransmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverate adaptation capabilityVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors packet error rates at a granular level, tracking errors for individual packets and rates. By collecting detailed error information and using it to adjust rates proactively, the system prevents future errors rather than merely reacting to them. This partial monitoring approach (focusing on error patterns rather than all packet details) enables effective adaptation while minimizing unnecessary retransmissions and associated data loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10321350B2Rate adapt algorithm for a wireless connection

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 CAMBIUM NETWORKS

AI summary

In a radio device, an automatic repeat request circuit communicates data messages to remote radio devices at selected data rates. Responses to the data messages are collected and statistics developed about success rates of the data messages at the selected data rates. A current data rate is selected based on the statistics and a packet is transmitted. The data rate can be adapted using the statistics about success rates of the data messages.