Spatial Reuse Backoff via Dynamic Transmit Power Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless local area networks, especially those using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), existing technologies face challenges in promoting spatial reuse between neighboring networks due to interference from spatial reuse signals, particularly when these signals are transmitted at high power levels.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method where communication devices adjust their transmit power levels based on signal power thresholds, using a reduced power level when transmitting spatial reuse signals to mitigate interference, and employing dynamic channel assessment procedures to determine channel availability, thereby promoting spatial reuse while minimizing interference with other networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If spatial reuse signals are transmitted at high power levels, then spatial reuse between neighboring networks is promoted, but interference between networks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the transmit power level based on the BSS color of received signals. When a signal from a different BSS (different color) is detected, the device transitions to a second transmit power level that is lower than the first level, thereby reducing interference while still enabling spatial reuse. This conditional parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between promoting spatial reuse and minimizing interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the transmit power level adaptive rather than static. The communication device continuously monitors received signals, determines their BSS color, and dynamically switches between different transmit power levels accordingly. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize spatial reuse when networks are separate while minimizing interference when networks are overlapping, effectively resolving the technical contradiction.
2Ease of manufacture
If a default threshold is used for backoff procedure, then the procedure is simple to implement, but it cannot effectively distinguish between same-BSS and other-BSS signals for spatial reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing different threshold levels for different signal types. Instead of using a single default threshold for all signals, the device uses a first threshold level for same-BSS signals and a second, different threshold level for other-BSS signals. This localized differentiation enables the backoff procedure to effectively distinguish between signal types and promote spatial reuse, while adding minimal complexity to the implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by adjusting the threshold level based on the BSS color of received signals. When a signal from a different BSS is detected, the device changes the threshold parameter used in the backoff procedure, allowing it to treat other-BSS signals differently from same-BSS signals. This parameter adaptation enables spatial reuse capability while maintaining a relatively simple implementation based on existing backoff mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device receives a signal during a backoff period of a backoff procedure, wherein the communication device is part of a first communication network. In response to determining that i) the signal is valid, ii) the signal is from another communication network, and iii) the power level of the signal does not meet a threshold that is higher than a default threshold, the communication device continues a count of a backoff timer during reception of the signal. In connection with comparing the power level of the signal to the threshold higher than the default threshold, the communication device sets a transmit power level to a reduced power level that is lower than a default power level. The communication device transmits at a transmit power level that is less than or equal to the reduced transmit power level in response to the backoff timer expiring.