Spatial Multiplexing with WLAN Sensing Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spatial multiplexing mechanisms in millimeter-wave wireless local area networks do not effectively integrate WLAN sensing, leading to inefficiencies in communication and network utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that combine WLAN sensing with spatial multiplexing by allowing stations to measure channel quality in both sensing and communications beam directions, enabling the introduction of WLAN sensing into conventional spatial multiplexing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If WLAN sensing is introduced into conventional spatial multiplexing mechanism, then communication efficiency and network utilization are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines WLAN sensing functionality with the conventional spatial multiplexing mechanism by integrating sensing measurement procedures into the existing communication framework. Stations perform both communication and sensing measurements using the same beamforming structures and resource allocation mechanisms, merging two functions into a unified system that improves communication efficiency while managing complexity through integration rather than addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the spatial multiplexing mechanism to serve dual purposes: traditional communication spatial multiplexing and WLAN sensing. The same beam training, resource allocation, and quality measurement infrastructure is used for both communication performance optimization and sensing applications (such as gesture recognition and presence detection), making the system multi-functional and improving overall utilization without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If measurements are performed in both sensing and communications beam directions, then network compatibility and extensibility are improved, but measurement overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous measurement processes by integrating sensing measurements into the ongoing communication beam training and quality assessment procedures. Rather than performing separate measurement campaigns, the system continuously gathers both communication and sensing measurements during normal operation, eliminating idle measurement periods and reducing overall overhead while maintaining compatibility with existing protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs beam training and quality measurements in advance for both communication and sensing purposes before actual data transmission or sensing operations begin. By pre-establishing beam directions and measuring channel qualities for both functions simultaneously, the system prepares measurement results ahead of time, reducing the overhead during critical operations and improving network responsiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A spatial multiplexing method and apparatus are provided to introduce WLAN sensing into a conventional spatial multiplexing mechanism and improve communication efficiency. In the method an AP sends a first request message to a first station and a second station, to request to measure channel quality in one or more sensing beam directions in a first SP; the AP sends a second request message to a third station and a fourth station, to request to measure channel quality in a communications beam direction in a second SP; the first station, the second station, the third station, and the fourth station separately perform measurement and report respective first measurement results; and the AP receives the first measurement results of the stations, and determines, based on the first measurement results, whether to perform spatial multiplexing on the first SP and the second SP.