80 MHz Tone Plan for Wi-Fi Interference

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Wi-Fi systems using 80 MHz channels face interference from overlapping 20 MHz sub-channels due to tone plan configurations, leading to inefficiencies and potential interference in OFDMA transmissions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an alternative 80 MHz tone plan that involves de-boosting or shifting tones in resource units (RUs) to avoid overlap with physical 20 MHz sub-channels, including specific tone adjustments and RU reconfigurations, such as nulling certain tones or shifting RUs to create a guard space, thereby minimizing interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If an 80 MHz channel is used for Wi-Fi transmission, then data transmission capacity is improved, but interference from overlapping 20 MHz sub-channels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidinterference from overlapping sub-channels

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The 80 MHz channel is segmented into multiple 20 MHz sub-channels, each with its own tone plan. By identifying which 20 MHz sub-channels are in use and applying selective tone nulling only in the overlapping portions, the patent enables efficient utilization of the 80 MHz channel while minimizing interference with active sub-channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of uniformly treating the entire 80 MHz channel, the patent applies local quality by selectively nulling tones only in the specific resource units (RUs) where overlap with active 20 MHz sub-channels occurs. This localized approach maintains transmission capacity in non-overlapping regions while eliminating interference in overlapping regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If tone nulling is applied to avoid interference with 20 MHz sub-channels, then interference is reduced, but transmission efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference with sub-channelsVSAvoidtransmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively nulling only the specific tones that cause interference with overlapping 20 MHz sub-channels, rather than nulling all tones in the 80 MHz channel. This partial approach eliminates harmful interference while preserving transmission efficiency in non-overlapping regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If an alternative tone plan is implemented, then interference is minimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference in OFDMA transmissionsVSAvoidtone plan configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic tone plan that adapts based on the actual usage of 20 MHz sub-channels. The system determines which sub-channels are active and dynamically selects or modifies the 80 MHz tone plan accordingly, allowing flexibility to minimize interference while maintaining compatibility with existing Wi-Fi infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11528104B2OFMDA tone plan for 80MHZ

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 NXP USA INC

AI summary

Various embodiments relate to a method for transmitting a Wi-Fi signal using a channel of 80 MHz or wider, wherein each 80 MHz segment has a tone plan, including: determining that a physical 20 MHz sub-channel overlaps the 80 MHz segment or OFDMA transmission is used for the 80 MHz segment; selecting an alternative 80 MHz tone plan; and transmitting data on the 80 MHz segment using the selected alternative 80 MHz tone plan.