Uplink Channel Measurement Trigger Frame for Multi-STA Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current uplink multi-user channel measurement methods in wireless communications require a significant amount of time due to the sequential sending of null data packets by access points to multiple stations, leading to inefficiencies in channel measurement processes.
Innovation Solution
A method where an access point sends a channel measurement trigger frame to multiple stations, including parameter indication information for determining transmission parameters and times, allowing stations to send null data packets simultaneously without interframe gaps, thereby reducing the overall measurement time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the access point sends uplink polling frames to all STAs in sequence to instruct them to send NDPs, then each STA can send its NDP to the AP, but the channel measurement process requires relatively long time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel measurement process by dividing STAs into multiple groups, where each group receives a specific trigger frame with group identification information. This allows different groups to send NDPs simultaneously in different resource units, rather than sequential polling of all STAs, thereby reducing total measurement time while ensuring complete channel measurement for all stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of parallel processing by enabling multiple STAs to transmit NDPs simultaneously using different resource units (spatial, frequency, or time resources). This transforms the traditional sequential one-dimensional measurement process into a multi-dimensional parallel process, significantly reducing channel measurement time while maintaining measurement completeness.
2Reliability
If the access point uses sequential polling frames for channel measurement, then all STAs can be measured, but the measurement efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sequential polling operations into a single trigger frame that can address multiple STAs simultaneously. The trigger frame contains resource allocation information for multiple STAs, allowing them to send NDPs in parallel using different resource units. This merging of operations dramatically improves measurement efficiency while ensuring all STAs are measured through proper resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger frame is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple STAs simultaneously. It contains group identification information and resource allocation information that can accommodate different groups of STAs with different resource requirements. This multi-functional trigger frame replaces multiple dedicated polling frames, improving efficiency while maintaining complete measurement coverage.
3Ease of operation
If the access point sends individual polling frames to each STA, then each STA receives clear transmission instructions, but the overall process requires many interactions and significant time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments STAs into multiple groups, each receiving a simplified trigger frame with group-specific identification and resource allocation information. This segmentation allows each STA to easily identify its transmission parameters from the trigger frame without needing to process individual polling frames, reducing interaction complexity while maintaining operational simplicity for each STA.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger frame acts as an intermediary that consolidates transmission instructions for multiple STAs into a single message. Instead of requiring multiple separate polling interactions, the trigger frame mediates the communication by providing all necessary transmission parameters (resource units, timing, frequency) to multiple STAs simultaneously, reducing the number of interactions from N (for N STAs) to 1.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: sending, by an access point AP, a channel measurement trigger frame TF-S to at least two stations STAs, where the TF-S is used to trigger the at least two STAs to send null data packets NDPs used for uplink channel measurement, the TF-S includes parameter indication information of a transmission parameter used by each STA to send theNDP, and the parameter indication information is used by the STA to determine the transmission parameter and a transmission time; and receiving, by the AP, an NDP sent by each of the at least two STAs based on a corresponding transmission parameter of the STA at a transmission time corresponding to the STA, and performing channel measurement, where there is no interframe gap between NDPs sent by any two adjacent STAs of the at least two STAs.