320 MHz Resource Units Repurposing Null Tones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tone plans for wireless communication networks are inefficient when reused for 320 MHz bands, resulting in wasted bandwidth due to unused null tones and direct current tones, which hampers spectral efficiency and throughput.
Innovation Solution
Repurposing unused null tones and direct current tones from existing 160 MHz tone plans to define new resource units for 320 MHz channels, allowing for improved spectral efficiency by reconfiguring and reusing these tones for data and control transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing tone plans are reused for 320 MHz bands, then compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but spectral efficiency deteriorates due to wasted bandwidth from unused null tones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of tone allocation by redefining resource units to include previously unused null tones and DC tones. Specifically, it introduces new RU configurations (e.g., 2x996-tone RUs, 4x242-tone RUs) that repurpose the null tones between 160 MHz segments, transforming wasted spectral resources into usable data transmission capacity while maintaining compatibility with existing 802.11ax protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the null tones serve multiple functions: they are repurposed as data-carrying resource units while still maintaining their original spacing function for FFT synchronization. This multi-functionality allows the same frequency resources to contribute to both traditional channel structure maintenance and enhanced data transmission, thereby improving spectral efficiency without sacrificing system compatibility.
2Reliability
If null tones are left unused in existing tone plans, then signal integrity is maintained, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates due to wasted spectral resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the parameter of tone usage by redefining the function of null tones from 'unused guard tones' to 'active resource units'. It introduces new RU identifiers and allocation schemes that allow these tones to carry data while maintaining the necessary spacing for signal processing, thereby transforming a reliability-critical element into a dual-purpose component that enhances both signal integrity and bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The null tones serve themselves by continuing to provide their original function as FFT synchronization references while simultaneously being allocated for data transmission. This self-service approach allows the same tones to maintain signal integrity requirements while contributing to increased productivity through dual-purpose utilization.
3Productivity
If wider channel bandwidths are used for 320 MHz transmissions, then data throughput is improved, but spectral efficiency deteriorates due to substantial wasted bandwidth from unused tones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of resource unit configuration by introducing new RU sizes and allocations specifically optimized for 320 MHz channels. It defines configurations such as 2x996-tone RUs and 4x242-tone RUs that fully utilize the available spectrum including previously wasted null tones, thereby achieving both high throughput and high spectral efficiency simultaneously rather than the trade-off presented by existing tone plans.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the 320 MHz channel into multiple resource units with different configurations, allowing flexible allocation of repurposed null tones across various RU types. This segmentation enables the system to optimize both throughput and spectral efficiency by distributing data across differently sized RUs that collectively utilize the entire bandwidth without waste.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for WLAN transmission over 320 MHz channels that use encoding and modulation schemes of existing 160 MHz tone plans defined in the IEEE 802.11ax standard. For example, 320MHz transmissions on a contiguous 320MHz channel or a non-contiguous 160MHz+160MHz channel can be performed using a 320MHz PPDU, or a 160MHz+160MHz PPDU, and the 320MHz/160 MHz+160 MHz PPDU can be defined using the 160MHz tone plan according to the IEEE 802.11ax standard. The existing tone plan of the IEEE 802.11ax standard is modified as described herein according to embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiment, the 160MHz tone plan can be repurposed to support multi-link aggregation including 80MHz+240MHz transmission, or 160MHz+160MHz transmission using two or more links.