Reserved Sub-Band Signaling for OFDMA WLAN Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly IEEE 802.11ax, face challenges in efficiently allocating resources for signal transmission using orthogonal frequency divisional multiple access (OFDMA) and multi-user multiple input multiple output (MIMO) in wireless local area networks (WLANs).

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for resource allocation in WLANs that include preparing and transmitting resource allocation information to multiple stations, utilizing a frequency band with null subbands not used for data transmission, and employing a common resource allocation bitmap and indication information to efficiently allocate subbands to stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If resource allocation information is transmitted to multiple STAs using traditional methods, then all STAs can receive data, but signaling overhead increases and resource allocation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency band is segmented into multiple subbands, and a resource allocation bitmap is used to indicate which subbands are allocated to which STAs. This segmentation allows efficient representation of resource allocation states without transmitting redundant information for each STA individually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of indicating allocated subbands directly, the patent uses a resource allocation bitmap where specific bit patterns (e.g., all 1s or all 0s) indicate null subbands (subbands not allocated to any STA). This inversion approach reduces signaling overhead by implicitly representing unallocated resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the entire frequency band is used for data transmission, then bandwidth utilization is maximized, but interference increases and signal quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Null subbands are extracted from the entire frequency band, creating gaps in the allocated spectrum. These null subbands act as protective barriers that reduce interference between adjacent allocated subbands while maintaining overall bandwidth utilization through efficient resource packing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12556322B2Method and apparatus for performing signaling for reserved sub-band in wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A wireless communication system and, more particularly, to a method for performing efficient signaling for a reserved sub-band in a wireless LAN system, and a method and an apparatus for signal transmission using the same. To this end, an STA provides resource allocation information for transmitting data to a plurality of STAs using an orthogonal frequency divisional multiple access (OFDMA) or multiple user MIMO (MU-MIMO) method; transmits the resource allocation information to the plurality of STAs; and transmits data to the plurality of STAs according to the resource allocation information. The entire frequency band may include a sub-band which is not used for the data transmission, and it is preferable that the resource allocation information includes a resource allocation bitmap having a form common to the plurality of STAs and indication information which informs a sub-band, from among the entire frequency band, which is not used for the data transmission.