Scheduled Trigger Frame Uplink Control

Solution Overview

Problem

In IEEE 802.11-compliant communication networks, stations must operate their receivers for extended periods to detect unscheduled trigger frames, leading to increased power consumption and reduced efficiency, especially in low-power devices like IoT devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing scheduled trigger frames, where stations receive a response frame indicating the start time of a trigger frame, allowing them to wake up only when necessary and reduce receiver operation time, thereby conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If stations operate receivers for extended periods to detect unscheduled trigger frames, then trigger frame detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrigger frame detection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The access point performs preliminary scheduling of trigger frames and transmits this schedule information to stations in advance. Stations use this advance knowledge to wake up only at the scheduled trigger frame transmission time, eliminating the need for continuous receiver operation while ensuring reliable detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If stations operate receivers for extended periods to detect unscheduled trigger frames, then trigger frame detection capability is improved, but receiver operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrigger frame detection capabilityVSAvoidreceiver operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The access point performs preliminary scheduling of trigger frames and transmits this schedule information to stations in advance. Stations use this advance knowledge to wake up only at the scheduled trigger frame transmission time, eliminating the need for continuous receiver operation while ensuring reliable detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If stations use unscheduled trigger frames, then uplink transmission control flexibility is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink transmission control flexibilityVSAvoidpower efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically schedules trigger frames at different time intervals based on network conditions and station requirements. This dynamic scheduling maintains the flexibility needed for various uplink transmission scenarios while enabling stations to enter low-power modes between scheduled trigger frame transmissions, thereby improving power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The access point performs preliminary scheduling of trigger frames and transmits this schedule information to stations in advance. Stations use this advance knowledge to wake up only at the scheduled trigger frame transmission time, eliminating the need for continuous receiver operation while ensuring reliable detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9883529B2Controlling uplink transmissions in communication systems with scheduled trigger frames

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Example methods disclosed herein for a station in a communication system include accessing a response frame received in response to a control frame transmitted to an access point. The response frame indicates a start time for a trigger frame to be transmitted by the access point to trigger the station to transmit an uplink transmission. Disclosed example methods also include controlling a receiver of the station to receive the trigger frame at the indicated start time. Example methods disclosed herein for an access point in a communication system include transmitting a response frame to a station in response to a control frame received from the station. The example response frame indicates a start time for a trigger frame to be transmitted by the access point to trigger the station to transmit an uplink transmission. Disclosed example methods also include transmitting the trigger frame at the indicated start time.