Uplink Multi-User MIMO Trigger Frame Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless local area network (WLAN) systems face limitations in efficiently managing uplink multi-user (UL MU) transmission, particularly in allocating resources and coordinating channel access among multiple stations (STAs) without a centralized management entity, leading to suboptimal performance and throughput.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where an access point (AP) receives request frames from STAs indicating participation in UL MU MIMO transmission, and transmits trigger frames containing identification, resource allocation, time, MCS, and coding information, enabling coordinated UL MU MIMO operations among multiple STAs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple STAs transmit uplink data simultaneously using wider bandwidths, then network throughput and transmission efficiency are improved, but resource allocation complexity and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The NAN synchronization message acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables multiple STAs to coordinate their uplink transmissions without requiring complex centralized resource allocation. The message carries synchronization information that allows STAs to autonomously align their transmissions, thereby improving throughput while reducing the complexity of resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
STAs use the NAN synchronization message to autonomously synchronize their uplink transmissions based on information broadcast in the message. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex centralized scheduling, allowing multiple STAs to simultaneously access wider bandwidths while independently managing their own transmission coordination.
2Reliability
If centralized management entity coordinates channel access, then transmission coordination is improved, but system flexibility and direct communication capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The NAN synchronization message serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides synchronization information for reliable transmission coordination while also enabling direct peer-to-peer communication between STAs. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for a dedicated centralized management entity, allowing the system to maintain both coordination reliability and communication flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the coordination function from a centralized management entity and embeds it within the NAN synchronization message itself. STAs derive coordination information directly from the message, eliminating the need for separate centralized control while maintaining reliable transmission coordination and preserving direct communication capabilities.
3Productivity
If resource allocation is optimized for UL MU MIMO, then transmission efficiency is improved, but system complexity and protocol overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges resource allocation information with the NAN synchronization message, combining synchronization functions and resource allocation functions into a single message structure. This integration allows the system to optimize UL MU MIMO transmission efficiency while avoiding the overhead of separate coordination protocols, as the same message that provides synchronization also provides resource allocation information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for a WLAN system of the present invention comprises receiving, by an AP, a request frame requesting change of operating mode of a receiving STA associated with the AP from the receiving STA, wherein the request frame includes a control indicator indicating whether the receiving STA participates in UL MU MIMO transmission, and transmitting a trigger frame for a plurality of user STAs participating in the UL MU MIMO transmission based on the request frame, wherein the trigger frame includes identification information for the plurality of user STAs, resource allocation information for allocation of uplink frequency resources allocated individually for the plurality of user STAs, time information indicating a time interval during which the UL MU MIMO transmission is performed, and coding information indicating a channel coding scheme allocated for each of the plurality of user STAs.