Transmission Opportunity Scheduling via Time-Frequency Grid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face interference issues when multiple terminal units transmit simultaneously over a common medium, leading to collisions and reduced throughput.

Innovation Solution

A scheduler is implemented to manage transmission opportunities across a time-frequency grid, adjusting for the unique operating characteristics of each terminal unit to prevent collisions and optimize bandwidth use, including the use of TDMA and OFDMA to switch between different PHY layers and modulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple terminal units transmit simultaneously over a common medium to maximize throughput, then productivity is improved, but transmission collisions and interference occur reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidtransmission collision prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission medium into multiple orthogonal resources (frequency subcarriers, time slots, spatial streams) allowing multiple terminal units to transmit simultaneously without collision. Each terminal unit is assigned specific orthogonal resources, dividing the shared medium into independent transmission channels that prevent interference while maximizing overall throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If transmission opportunities are scheduled to prevent collisions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to scheduling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission collision preventionVSAvoidscheduling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where terminal units autonomously determine their transmission opportunities based on pre-configured orthogonal resource assignments and local channel conditions. Each terminal unit independently selects appropriate resources without requiring complex centralized scheduling decisions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable collision-free transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If TDMA and OFDMA are used to switch between PHY layers and modulations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePHY layer switching capabilityVSAvoidmodulation switching complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic adaptation mechanisms where terminal units and access points continuously adjust PHY layer parameters, modulation schemes, and resource allocations based on real-time channel conditions and traffic requirements. This dynamic switching between TDMA and OFDMA modes, and between different modulation levels, enables the system to adapt to varying conditions while the standardized switching protocols keep implementation complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10306683B2Transmission opportunity scheduling

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 CABLE TELEVISION LAB INC

AI summary

Scheduling of transmission opportunities to prevent collisions is contemplated. The transmission opportunities may be scheduled for terminal units where transmissions of one terminal unit may collide or otherwise interfere with transmissions of another terminal unit. The transmission opportunities may be scheduled according to a time-frequency grid to prevent collisions in a time domain and/or a frequency domain.