TDD Slot Allocation for WLAN Power Saving and Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless local area network (WLAN) systems face challenges in achieving high transfer rates and efficient power management, particularly in TDD-SP structures, where beamforming processes are inefficient due to distinct UL and DL durations, leading to ineffective performance in meeting the required rates for IEEE 802.11ay standards.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves MIMO beamforming during a TDD-SP, where a STA determines its power saving mode based on a TDD slot structure, allowing for efficient power management by assigning specific slots for transmission and reception, and using SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO techniques to optimize beamforming processes within the TDD slot schedule.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If beamforming processes are performed in TDD-SP structure with distinct UL and DL durations, then power management can be implemented, but beamforming efficiency deteriorates and transfer rate requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic slot allocation where TDD slots can be flexibly assigned as TX or RX slots based on real-time beamforming requirements and power saving needs. The slot configuration is not fixed but can be dynamically adjusted to optimize both power efficiency and beamforming performance, allowing the system to transition between different operational modes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The service period is divided into multiple TDD slots that can be independently configured and allocated. Each slot can be assigned to different STAs for TX or RX operations, allowing fine-grained control over power management and beamforming operations. This segmentation enables parallel beamforming processes across multiple slots while maintaining power saving modes.
2Productivity
If multiple STAs perform beamforming simultaneously in TDD-SP, then transfer rate requirements can be met, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows STAs to perform beamforming operations in only a subset of TDD slots rather than continuously. Individual STAs can enter power saving modes during slots where they are not actively participating in beamforming, while other STAs continue to perform beamforming operations. This partial action approach maintains overall system throughput while reducing individual STA power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Beamforming operations are performed periodically in allocated TDD slots rather than continuously. STAs can alternate between active beamforming periods and power saving periods, creating a periodic pattern of operation. This allows the system to achieve required transfer rates through concentrated beamforming efforts while allowing power recovery during idle slots.
3Use of energy by moving object
If TDD slots are allocated for signal transmission and reception, then power saving mode can be determined, but slot allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The TDD slot structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides time division for UL/DL communications, enables power saving mode determination, supports beamforming operations, and allows flexible resource allocation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each purpose, simplifying overall system complexity despite the versatility of the slot allocation approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving a signal based on a power saving (PS) mode in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system. Specifically, a first station (STA) determines the PS mode in a time division duplex (TDD)-based service period (SP), and transmit the signal to the second STA or receive the signal from the second STA based on the PS mode. The SP includes a plurality of TDD slots. The plurality of TDD slots include an unassigned TDD slot, an assigned Tx TDD slot, and an assigned Rx TDD slot. In the unassigned TDD slot, a PS mode of the first STA is determined as a doze state, and a PS mode of the second STA is determined an awake or doze state. In the assigned Rx TDD slot, the PS mode of the first STA is determined as the awake state, and the PS mode of the second STA is determined as the awake state. In the assigned Tx TDD slot, the PS mode of the first STA is determined as the awake or doze state, and the PS mode of the second STA is determined as the awake state.