Unified Memory Architecture for OFDM Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current OFDM wireless communication devices face challenges in efficiently processing and buffering OFDM symbol frames due to the increased number of tones in newer standards like IEEE 802.11ax, leading to higher memory requirements, power consumption, and spectral inefficiency compared to older standards like IEEE 802.11ac, especially when backward compatibility is mandated across various channel bandwidths.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless communication device that can switch between different PHY layer protocols (e.g., 802.11ac and 802.11ax) using a unified memory architecture, allowing for baseband processing with a similar memory size, and dynamically adjust modes based on received signal strength, interference, and other conditions to optimize data rate and range, thereby minimizing memory and power usage while maintaining compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the device uses more OFDM tones to increase data rate (newer standards like 802.11ax), then throughput is improved, but memory requirements and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified memory architecture that serves multiple PHY layer protocols (802.11ac and 802.11ax) simultaneously. The same memory resource is shared across different standards, allowing the device to operate in either mode without requiring separate memory allocations. This universal memory structure enables high throughput in 802.11ax mode with 4x more tones while avoiding the need for doubled memory capacity, thus resolving the contradiction between increased productivity and memory requirements.
2Productivity
If the device increases the number of OFDM tones for higher data rates, then spectral efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mode switching between 802.11ac and 802.11ax protocols based on real-time channel conditions, signal strength, and interference levels. The controller dynamically adjusts the number of OFDM tones and data rate according to environmental factors, allowing the device to achieve high spectral efficiency when conditions permit while conserving power when conditions are poor. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making spectral efficiency and power consumption variable rather than fixed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device must support multiple PHY layer protocols for backward compatibility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing paths for 802.11ac and 802.11ax protocols into a unified architecture. Instead of maintaining separate processing chains for each protocol, the device uses a single baseband processing unit, shared memory, and common RF front-end that can handle both standards. The controller selects the appropriate protocol mode based on channel conditions, eliminating the need for parallel processing infrastructure. This merging approach maintains full protocol compatibility while significantly reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
One example discloses an OFDM wireless communications device, including: a memory configured to support processing of OFDM tones; a controller, coupled to the memory, and configured to set the wireless communication device to a first mode and a second mode; wherein the first mode is configured to transmit or receive a first wireless communication signal having a first set of OFDM tones contained within an OFDM channel bandwidth; wherein the second mode is configured to transmit or receive a second wireless communication signal having a second set of OFDM tones contained within the OFDM channel bandwidth; and wherein the memory used for processing the first set of OFDM tones is same as the memory used for processing the second set of OFDM tones.