Unified MAC Module for Multi-PHY Wireless Channel Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current media access control (MAC) technologies for multiple physical layer devices (PHYs) face challenges in efficiently managing concurrent transmissions over different wireless technologies and frequency bands, leading to suboptimal performance due to lack of unified control and channel-specific function handling.
Innovation Solution
A unified MAC module is introduced, comprising a primary MAC module for common functions and secondary MAC modules for PHY-specific functions, allowing selection of optimal PHYs for transmission based on link quality and other parameters, enabling concurrent communications across multiple PHYs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate MAC modules are used for each PHY device, then each PHY can be independently controlled, but the system complexity increases and unified management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate MAC modules into a single unified MAC module that can manage multiple PHY devices. This unified module contains multiple MAC layers, each capable of handling channel-specific functions for different PHYs, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining independent control capabilities for each PHY device.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified MAC module is designed with multi-functionality to handle channel-specific functions for multiple different PHY devices (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz bands). Each MAC layer within the unified module can be configured to work with specific PHY types, providing universal management capability across diverse wireless technologies.
2Productivity
If a unified MAC module is introduced to control multiple PHYs, then management efficiency improves, but the internal structure and coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified MAC module is segmented into multiple MAC layers, where each layer is responsible for specific channel-related functions. This segmentation allows for modular design and easier coordination, as each layer can independently handle functions for its associated PHY without requiring complex cross-layer interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the unified MAC module itself) that mediates between multiple PHY devices and the upper protocol layers. This intermediary consolidates the complexity of managing multiple PHYs into a single coordination point, simplifying the overall system architecture while improving management efficiency.
3Reliability
If channel-specific functions are handled separately for each PHY, then optimal channel performance can be achieved, but the overall system coordination becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
Channel-specific functions for multiple PHYs are merged into a unified MAC module, allowing for centralized coordination while maintaining optimization for each channel. The unified structure enables efficient resource allocation and coordination across all PHY devices while preserving the ability to optimize individual channel performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A device implementing unified media access control (MAC) for multiple physical layer devices may include at least one processor communicatively coupled to first and second physical layer modules that are configured to communicate with another device over first and second wireless channels, respectively. The at least one processor may be configured to receive one or more data items to be transmitted to the another device and to select at least one of the first or second physical layer modules for transmission of the one or more data items based at least in part on a first condition of the first physical wireless channel and a condition of the second physical wireless channel. The at least one processor may be further configured to provide the one or more data items to the selected at least one of the first or second physical layer modules for transmission to the another device.