Wakeup Frame Bandwidth Scheduling for Wi-Fi Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless networks, particularly WLANs and Wi-Fi networks, the increasing number of mobile devices and bandwidth-intensive applications lead to taxed spectrum resources, making it challenging to maintain desired bandwidth due to power consumption and interference, especially when additional access points cannot be installed or when throughput needs to be increased for specific stations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing channel bonding techniques, such as using a combination of narrowband and wideband reception, with the introduction of a 'wakeup frame' to dynamically allocate channel resources and manage bandwidth, allowing stations to switch between primary and secondary channels efficiently, thereby optimizing channel usage and reducing interference and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If channel bonding techniques are used to increase throughput, then bandwidth is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth switching where the STA transitions between narrowband and wideband reception modes based on real-time network conditions and throughput requirements. The wakeup frame triggers a temporary switch to wideband mode only when additional throughput is needed, allowing the system to adapt its bandwidth usage dynamically rather than operating in a fixed mode, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining high throughput and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic wideband reception triggered by wakeup frames received at specific intervals. Instead of continuous wideband operation, the STA periodically switches to wideband mode in response to wakeup frames, performs necessary communications, then returns to narrowband mode. This periodic activation pattern allows the system to achieve high throughput when needed while minimizing overall power consumption through intermittent operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If wideband reception is used continuously, then throughput is improved, but interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth switching where the STA transitions between narrowband and wideband reception modes based on real-time network conditions and throughput requirements. The wakeup frame triggers a temporary switch to wideband mode only when additional throughput is needed, allowing the system to adapt its bandwidth usage dynamically rather than operating in a fixed mode, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining high throughput and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If additional access points are installed to increase throughput, then network capacity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidnetwork infrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of existing STAs by enabling dynamic bandwidth switching capabilities. Instead of adding infrastructure, the system modifies how existing devices utilize available spectrum resources by switching between narrowband and wideband modes. This parameter change approach allows existing STAs to achieve higher throughput by utilizing wider channels when needed, eliminating the need for additional access points while maintaining network simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Use of energy by moving object

If narrowband reception is used, then power consumption is reduced, but throughput is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth switching where the STA transitions between narrowband and wideband reception modes based on real-time network conditions and throughput requirements. The wakeup frame triggers a temporary switch to wideband mode only when additional throughput is needed, allowing the system to adapt its bandwidth usage dynamically rather than operating in a fixed mode, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining high throughput and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic wideband reception triggered by wakeup frames received at specific intervals. Instead of continuous wideband operation, the STA periodically switches to wideband mode in response to wakeup frames, performs necessary communications, then returns to narrowband mode. This periodic activation pattern allows the system to achieve high throughput when needed while minimizing overall power consumption through intermittent operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3403375B1Device and method of providing grant frame for bandwidth scheduling
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 INTEL CORP
  • EP3403375B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3403375B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3403375B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Devices and methods of limiting wideband STA communication are generally described. The STA receives, over a primary channel, a wakeup frame containing an indication of a SP or CBAP to acquire a wideband TXOP over a wide bandwidth channel including the primary channel and a secondary channel and a control trailer having an indication of the wide bandwidth channel. Prior to the SP/CBAP, the STA opens reception from the primary channel to the wide bandwidth channel. The STA then communicates with another STA over the wide bandwidth channel and subsequently reduces reception from the wide bandwidth channel to the primary channel. The wakeup frame originates from an AP/PCP or the other STA, and contains fields indicating the wakeup frame length and SP or a sensing time length prior to the CBAP.