UWB Receiver Enable Time Control via MAC Primitives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current UWB communication and ranging systems lack effective methods for specifying receiver enable times, which is crucial for efficient data transmission and ranging operations in peer-aware communication networks.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a framework and method that involves a network entity with a transceiver and processor to manage medium access control (MAC) sublayer management entities, specifically using MLME-RX-ENABLE.request primitives to control ranging scheduling time units (RSTUs) and enable receivers based on predefined counter values and durations, ensuring timely and efficient frame reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If receiver enable times are not specified, then the system is simpler to implement, but the efficiency and accuracy of data transmission and ranging operations deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of data transmission and ranging operationsVSAvoidcomplexity of receiver control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring receiver enable times and durations through the MLME-RX-ENABLE.request primitive before actual data transmission and ranging operations occur. The system预先 sets the RSTU counter values and RxOnDuration parameters, allowing the receiver to be enabled at optimal times without needing complex real-time control mechanisms during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through the MLME-RX-ENABLE.confirm primitive, which provides confirmation of the receiver enable status to the higher layers. This feedback mechanism allows the system to verify that the receiver has been successfully enabled at the specified time, ensuring proper operation while maintaining controlled complexity through standardized confirmation protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If receiver enable times are precisely controlled, then the accuracy of ranging operations improves, but the complexity of timing management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of ranging operationsVSAvoidcomplexity of timing management
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using the RSTU (Ranging Scheduling Time Unit) counter and RxOnDuration parameters to precisely control receiver enable times. Instead of complex absolute timing mechanisms, the system changes relative timing parameters based on the RSTU counter values, achieving precise ranging accuracy while simplifying timing management through standardized parameter adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If receiver enable times are managed through MAC sublayer primitives, then the control precision improves, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precision of receiver enable timesVSAvoidcomplexity of MAC sublayer management
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the MLME-RX-ENABLE.request and confirm primitives to serve multiple functions: configuring receiver enable times, managing ranging operations, and providing feedback to higher layers. This multi-functional approach achieves precise control without proportionally increasing complexity, as a single primitive mechanism handles various control needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3964003B1Apparatus and method for specifying receiver enable times in UWB communication and ranging systems
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3964003B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3964003B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3964003B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus of a network entity in a wireless communication system supporting ranging capability is provided. The method and apparatus comprises: identifying a MAC sublayer management entity-receive-enable request (MLME-RX-ENABLE.request) primitive including a list of ranging scheduling time unit (RSTU) counter (RxOnTime) values and a number of RSTUs (RxOnDuration), wherein the MLME-RX-ENABLE.request primitive is sent to a MAC layer from a higher layer; in response to identifying the MLME-RX-ENABLE.request primitive, identifying a value of a MAC RSTU_COUNTER; determining whether the value of the MAC RSTU_COUNTER is set to an RxOnTime value included in the list of the RxOnTime values of the MLME-RX-ENABLE.request primitive; increasing the value of the MAC RSTU_COUNTER; determining whether a frame is received from another network entity based on the value of the MAC RSTU_COUNTER; and in response to determining that the frame is received, generating a MAC common part sublayer indication (MCPS-DATA.indication) primitive.