Sensing NDPA Frame Design Using Ranging Variant Subfield

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current designs for Sensing Null Data Packet Announcement (NDPA) frames in IEEE 802.11bf standards lack effective solutions, with existing proposals facing limitations such as limited subtype or subtype field usage, potential overlap with existing identifiers, and inefficiencies in reusing existing frame formats.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution reuses the Ranging NDPA frame format for sensing purposes, incorporating a Ranging/Sensing Variant subfield and Measurement Setup ID signaling, allowing for efficient differentiation and signaling in both trigger-based and non-trigger-based sensing measurement instances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If existing NDPA frame formats are reused for sensing purposes, then device complexity is reduced and compatibility is improved, but the frame structure becomes insufficient to accommodate sensing-specific information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe format complexityVSAvoidsensing information accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The NDPA frame is segmented into distinct fields, with the STA Info field divided into multiple subfields including AID11, Measurement Setup ID, and Ranging/Sensing Variant. This segmentation allows sensing-specific information to be accommodated within the existing frame structure without requiring a complete redesign, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The existing NDPA frame format is made multi-functional by incorporating both ranging and sensing capabilities. The Ranging/Sensing Variant subfield and Measurement Setup ID enable the same frame structure to serve multiple purposes (ranging and sensing), eliminating the need for separate frame formats and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If new control subtype values are created for Sensing NDPA frames, then sensing-specific functionality is improved, but the limited subtype field usage is exhausted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing NDPA functionalityVSAvoidsubtype field management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of changing the overall frame type or control subtype, the invention introduces localized quality changes within the STA Info field by adding the Ranging/Sensing Variant subfield and Measurement Setup ID. This allows sensing-specific functionality to be implemented without exhausting the limited control subtype values, maintaining simplicity while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If existing frame formats are reused with modified fields, then ease of manufacture is improved, but potential overlap with existing identifiers occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe implementation easeVSAvoididentifier uniqueness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces dynamic identification mechanisms through the Ranging/Sensing Variant subfield and Measurement Setup ID, which dynamically indicate the frame type and measurement context. This dynamic approach ensures identifier uniqueness for sensing operations while reusing the existing static frame structure, maintaining ease of implementation while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4221318A1Sensing null data packet announcement (NDPA) frame design

Publication Date: 2023.08.02 INTEL CORP

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AI summary

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices related to sensing NDPA. A device may generate a null data packet announcement (NDPA). The device may include a measurement setup identification (ID) associated with a station device (STA). The device may cause to send the NDPA to the STA.