Unified Initial Control Frame Structure for Multi-Signaling WLANs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication networks face complexity and increased memory or processing costs due to the need to support separate frame exchanges for various signaling types, each associated with different types or amounts of information, leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a unified initial control frame (ICF) design that uses a single ICF structure to serve multiple signaling types or functionalities, indicated by an identifier value within a specific range, allowing for reduced complexity, backward and forward compatibility, and lower processing/memory costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate frame exchanges are used for each signaling type, then each signaling type can be supported with dedicated information structures, but device complexity and processing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple signaling typesVSAvoidcomplexity of frame exchange mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single initial control frame structure that can serve multiple signaling types (beamforming, spatial reuse, coordinated AP operations) through a unified information container mechanism. The information container can be dynamically configured to carry different types of signaling information, eliminating the need for separate dedicated frame structures for each signaling type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the control frame into distinct components: a common initial control frame structure and a configurable information container. The information container is further segmented into identifier fields and information fields that can be independently configured based on the signaling type required, allowing flexible adaptation without redesigning the entire frame structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate frame exchanges are used for each signaling type, then specific information requirements for each signaling type can be met, but memory and processing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation support for signaling typesVSAvoidmemory and processing resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The unified information container serves multiple signaling types simultaneously, reducing the total quantity of memory and processing resources needed. Instead of maintaining separate information structures for beamforming, spatial reuse, and coordinated AP operations, a single configurable container handles all these functions, thereby reducing overall resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The information container is designed to be dynamic and reconfigurable based on the signaling type being used. The identifier field indicates the current signaling type, and the information fields are dynamically configured to match the required format, allowing the system to adapt its resource usage in real-time rather than allocating resources for all possible signaling types simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a unified ICF design is used for multiple signaling types, then complexity and processing costs are reduced, but backward and forward compatibility must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of control frame structureVSAvoidcompatibility across device versions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates preliminary action by including backward compatibility elements in the unified ICF structure from the outset. The information container is designed to work with legacy devices that may not fully support the new unified format, ensuring that older devices can still interpret and process the frames appropriately while newer devices can utilize the full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The unified ICF design uses dynamic configuration of the information container based on the identifier field, allowing the frame to adapt its structure and content based on the signaling type and device capabilities. This dynamic approach enables the same frame structure to serve both legacy and next-generation devices, maintaining compatibility across different device versions and generations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260067047A1Unified initial control frame designs

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

This disclosure provides methods, components, apparatuses, devices and systems for unified control frame designs. Some aspects more specifically relate to control frame designs according to which a single control frame structure, format, or interpretation is able to serve multiple signaling types or functionalities. In some examples, a wireless communication device may transmit a control frame and one or more fields of the control frame may indicate a presence of an information container within the one or more fields, an information type associated with the information container, and information, within the information container, in accordance with the information type. In some aspects, the indicated information type may correspond to a signaling type or functionality for which the control frame provides information. The control frame may indicate the presence of the information container via an identifier value within an inclusive range of between 2008 and 2044 or between 2047 and 4094.