Wi-Fi Subchannel Occupancy Scoring for Wide-Channel Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing WiFi systems in vehicles face challenges in managing channel occupancy effectively, leading to inefficiencies in signal transmission due to varying levels of use or occupation across sub-channels.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for determining channel availability by measuring energy levels in primary and secondary subchannels, assigning scores based on energy intervals, and transmitting signals when the sum of scores is below a threshold, considering factors like access category, packet age, and urgency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional WiFi channel selection is used, then device compatibility is maintained, but signal transmission efficiency deteriorates due to channel occupancy and interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission efficiencyVSAvoidchannel occupancy interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the WiFi channel into multiple sub-channels (primary and secondary sub-channels) and evaluates each sub-channel's occupancy independently. By dividing the channel into smaller units, the system can identify and select less occupied sub-channels for transmission, thereby improving signal transmission efficiency while avoiding interference from occupied portions of the channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the evaluation parameter from binary channel occupancy (occupied/idle) to a multi-level score system based on energy measurements. By measuring energy levels in different sub-channels and assigning scores based on energy intervals, the system can make more informed decisions about channel selection, transmitting on sub-channels with lower scores (lower occupancy) to improve transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If channel occupancy scoring is implemented, then transmission efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple measurements and calculations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission qualityVSAvoidchannel evaluation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by focusing measurements only on the primary sub-channel and selectively measuring secondary sub-channels based on the primary sub-channel's occupancy status. Instead of measuring all sub-channels equally, the system performs energy measurements on secondary sub-channels only when the primary sub-channel is occupied, reducing unnecessary measurements and calculations while still improving transmission quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex qualitative channel assessment with a simplified quantitative energy measurement system. By substituting the mechanical/complex process of evaluating channel quality with direct energy measurements and standardized scoring based on energy intervals, the system achieves better transmission quality through objective, automated calculations rather than complex multi-parameter analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If strict channel idle detection is used, then interference is avoided, but transmission opportunities are lost due to conservative channel selection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal interferenceVSAvoidtransmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different occupancy thresholds and scoring criteria for different sub-channels. Instead of applying a single strict idle detection threshold to the entire channel, the system evaluates each sub-channel's energy level independently and assigns scores based on local energy conditions. This enables transmission on sub-channels with moderate occupancy (lower scores) while maintaining protection against interference on highly occupied sub-channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the channel selection criteria adaptive rather than static. The score threshold for channel selection is not fixed but can be adjusted based on overall channel conditions, packet urgency, and access category requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to be more conservative when interference risk is high and more aggressive when transmission urgency is high, balancing interference avoidance with transmission timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260005808A1Wide channel occupancy determination enhancement in wi-fi networks

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A vehicle includes a Wi-Fi system for transmitting a signal. The Wi-Fi system includes a channel having a primary subchannel and one or more secondary subchannels. A sensor measures energies of signals in the primary subchannel and in each of the one or more secondary subchannels. A processor determines that the primary subchannel is idle when the energy in the primary subchannel is less than a primary subchannel energy threshold, assigns a score to each of the one or more secondary subchannels based on the secondary subchannel energy, calculates a sum of the scores, and transmits the signal over the channel when the sum of the scores is less than a score threshold.