VHT Preamble Signaling Field for Legacy Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in providing backward compatibility and high throughput preamble signaling while coexisting with legacy devices, as new standards require more robust signaling formats that are not fully compatible with older systems.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a Very High Throughput (VHT) preamble signaling field that is compatible with both legacy and high-throughput stations, using a mixed-format frame that includes a legacy-compatible portion to indicate transmission deferral times, and a Greenfield format frame that does not require compatibility with legacy systems, ensuring seamless coexistence and efficient data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a new signaling format with more robust capabilities is implemented, then throughput and reliability are improved, but compatibility with legacy devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcompatibility with legacy devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure is divided into two distinct parts: a legacy-compatible preamble portion that legacy devices can decode to determine channel usage duration, and a VHT-specific signaling field that provides enhanced throughput capabilities for VHT stations. This segmentation allows each part to serve its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The legacy-compatible preamble acts as an intermediary element that bridges between legacy devices and VHT stations. It provides sufficient information for legacy devices to avoid interference while enabling VHT stations to access the enhanced signaling field for higher throughput communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a legacy-compatible preamble is used, then compatibility with legacy devices is maintained, but signaling robustness and throughput capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with legacy devicesVSAvoidthroughput capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is segmented into a legacy preamble portion and a VHT signaling field. The legacy preamble maintains compatibility by providing basic channel access information, while the additional VHT signaling field extends capability for high-throughput operations without interfering with legacy device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution adds an additional dimension to the frame structure by appending a VHT-specific signaling field after the legacy preamble. This dimensional extension allows VHT stations to access enhanced capabilities while legacy devices continue to operate with the original preamble information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If more information is transmitted in frames, then data exchange capability is improved, but complexity of frame structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata exchange capabilityVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure is segmented into distinct functional portions: a legacy-compatible preamble containing essential channel access information, and an extended VHT signaling field containing additional data exchange parameters. This segmentation organizes the increased information quantity into manageable, functionally-separated segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The legacy preamble is transmitted first to establish basic channel access parameters that all devices can understand, followed by the VHT-specific signaling information. This preliminary action ensures legacy devices can process the frame header while VHT stations can access the extended information for enhanced data exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2517381B1802.11 very high throughput preamble signaling field with legacy compatibility
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 INTEL CORP
  • EP2517381B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2517381B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2517381B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3e

AI summary

In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a method and apparatus are disclosed that includes aspects of a controller configured to create a VHT frame that is arranged to include information relating to a modulation and a coding scheme with which a data portion of the VHT frame is modulated and encoded; and a transmitter configured to transmit the VHT frame to one or more STAs.