Adaptive RTS/CTS Initiation Using Transmission Power Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dense wireless LAN environments, the hidden node problem frequently occurs, leading to inefficiencies in the request-to-send (RTS)/clear-to-send (CTS) procedure, which affects transmission power and packet collision rates.

Innovation Solution

Adaptive control of the RTS/CTS procedure is implemented using transmission power thresholds received from an access point (AP), determining whether to transmit an RTS frame based on these parameters, ensuring efficient frame transmission by managing interference from hidden nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RTS/CTS procedure is frequently initiated to solve hidden node problem in dense environments, then packet collision rate is reduced, but transmission overhead and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket collision rateVSAvoidtransmission overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter for RTS transmission decision from fixed packet length threshold to dynamic transmission power threshold. The STA compares its transmission power against the threshold received from AP to determine whether to initiate RTS/CTS, allowing adaptive control based on power levels rather than fixed packet sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic control of RTS/CTS initiation through power-based thresholds. The AP configures different transmission power thresholds that STAs use to dynamically decide whether RTS/CTS is needed, making the system adaptable to varying channel conditions and interference levels rather than using static rules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If transmission power is increased to extend communication range, then coverage area is improved, but interference to hidden nodes increases causing more collisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidinterference to hidden nodes

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The AP provides feedback to STAs in the form of transmission power thresholds through beacon frames or other control messages. STAs use this feedback to adjust their RTS/CTS initiation decisions, creating a closed-loop system where the network controller optimizes individual STA behavior based on overall network conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The AP pre-configures transmission power thresholds that STAs use before actual data transmission. This preliminary configuration allows STAs to make informed decisions about RTS/CTS initiation based on anticipated interference levels, preventing collisions before they occur rather than reacting to them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10292116B2Method of performing RTS/CTS procedure in wireless LAN system and apparatus thereof

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a method of initiating a RTS/CTS procedure at a STA in a wireless LAN system. According to an embodiment of this invention, the method includes receiving, from an AP, one or more RTS transmission control parameters, determining whether to transmit an RTS frame prior to transmitting a first frame, based on the one or more RTS transmission control parameters; and transmitting at least one of the RTS frame or the first frame, wherein the one or more RTS transmission control parameters includes a transmission power threshold for controlling the RTS frame transmission, and wherein the STA transmits the RTS frame prior to transmitting the first frame when a transmission power of the first frame is less than or equals to the transmission power threshold received from the AP.