Wireless STA Receive Mode Change via Data Frame Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The next-generation wireless LAN system, IEEE 802.11ax, faces challenges in improving resource use efficiency and throughput, particularly in outdoor environments with limited bandwidth, where existing systems require separate procedures for changing receive operating modes, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An STA can dynamically change the number of reception chains for power saving based on spatial streams and channel bandwidth during spatial multiplexing, allowing for mode changes within common data and ACK frames without additional procedures, enabling flexible operation and enhanced throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate procedures are used for changing receive operating modes, then reliability of mode change is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the receive operating mode change procedure with the existing data transmission procedure. The access point includes Rx operating mode information directly in the data frame being transmitted, eliminating the need for separate mode change frames or procedures. This merging reduces device complexity and time loss while maintaining reliability through the existing acknowledged data transmission protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The data frame is given multiple functions: it simultaneously serves as both a data transmission carrier and a mode change command carrier. By including the Rx operating mode information field within the standard data frame structure, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring additional specialized frames or procedures, thus reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If separate procedures are used for changing receive operating modes, then reliability of mode change is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mode change operation with the data transmission operation into a single unified procedure. The receiver processes both the data and the mode change information simultaneously upon receiving the data frame, eliminating the sequential execution time required for separate mode change procedures while maintaining reliability through the existing acknowledgment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point prepares and includes the Rx operating mode information in advance within the data frame before transmission. This preliminary inclusion of mode change information allows the receiver to process the mode change concurrently with data reception, rather than requiring a separate subsequent step, thus reducing total time loss.
3Productivity
If dynamic mode changes are enabled, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data frame structure is enhanced with multi-functionality to simultaneously carry data and dynamic mode change information. This universal approach allows frequent mode changes without requiring separate specialized frames or procedures, thus improving productivity while minimizing the increase in device complexity by reusing existing frame structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic changes of receive operating mode parameters (such as number of reception chains, spatial streams, channel bandwidth) by including these parameters within the data frame. This allows flexible, on-the-fly adjustment of transmission parameters to optimize throughput without requiring complex reconfiguration procedures or additional signaling mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method for transmitting, by a station (STA), data in a wireless LAN (WLAN) system. The method includes receiving an uplink data frame from a first STA, the uplink data frame comprising first receive (Rx) operating mode information indicative of Rx operating mode to be changed by the first STA and sending an ACK frame for the uplink data frame, the ACK frame including mode change acceptance information indicative of an acceptance or denial of an Rx operating mode change according to the Rx operating mode information. The first Rx operating mode information includes received spatial stream number information and Rx channel bandwidth information.