Uplink Rate Control Using Multi-User Packet Error Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless local area networks (WLANs) face inefficiencies in uplink packet transmission due to incomplete or erroneous data transfer, leading to suboptimal network performance.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for determining a multi-user packet error rate by monitoring sequence numbers in multi-user communication frames, allowing a host device to adjust communication rates based on the error rate to optimize uplink transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the transfer rate is increased to improve throughput, then network speed improves, but packet error rate increases leading to more retransmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidpacket error rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the transfer rate based on real-time channel conditions and error rates. The access point monitors packet error rates and modifies the transfer rate for subsequent transmissions, transforming a static rate into a dynamic parameter that adapts to changing network conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between throughput and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the access point monitors packet error rates from uplink transmissions and uses this information to adjust future transfer rates. This closed-loop control allows the system to learn from past transmission outcomes and optimize future performance, balancing throughput and error rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If retransmissions are performed to improve reliability, then packet delivery accuracy improves, but network latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket delivery accuracyVSAvoidnetwork latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by selecting optimal transfer rates before transmission based on current channel conditions and historical error rates. By proactively choosing appropriate rates rather than reacting to errors after transmission, the system reduces the need for retransmissions and associated latency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

When channel conditions are favorable and error rates are low, the system skips cautious transmission approaches and uses higher transfer rates to rush through data transmission quickly. This selective acceleration reduces overall latency while maintaining reliability through conditional rate selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS12520185B2Uplink error rate

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 MAXLINEAR INC

AI summary

An example method may include determining a multi-user packet error rate associated with communications from a client device to a host device, the multi-user packet error rate based on a number of packets in a multi-user communication frame with an error. The method may also include sending a trigger from the host device to the client device to communicate via a second multi-user communication frame, the trigger identifying a transfer rate based on the multi-user packet error rate.