Wi‑Fi Trigger Frame Relay Control for Throughput and Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

The procedure for controlling relay transmission of data frames using Trigger frames compliant with the IEEE802.11 series standard has not been defined.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus is configured to transmit Trigger frames that include information for identifying the transmission source, destination, and relay communication apparatus, enabling controlled relay transmission of data frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If relay transmission technique is introduced to improve throughput and expand communication range, then communication performance is improved, but control procedure complexity increases because the procedure for controlling relay transmission using Trigger frames has not been defined

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcontrol procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a Trigger frame as an intermediary control mechanism to manage relay transmission. The Trigger frame contains specific fields (Common Info, User Info, and Padding/FCS) that mediate between the access point and relay stations, enabling standardized control of relay transmission without requiring complex ad-hoc procedures. This intermediary structure resolves the control complexity issue while maintaining improved throughput and communication range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If relay transmission is implemented to expand communication range, then communication coverage is expanded, but system complexity increases due to lack of standardized control procedure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The Trigger frame structure is designed with universal applicability for relay transmission control. The Common Info field provides universal parameters applicable to all user stations, while the User Info field can be replicated for multiple users. This multi-functional design allows the same standardized procedure to handle various relay transmission scenarios, expanding communication range without proportionally increasing system complexity.

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

3Productivity

If Trigger frame is used to control relay transmission, then control efficiency is improved, but frame structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol efficiencyVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The Trigger frame is segmented into distinct functional fields: Common Info field for general control parameters, User Info field for user-specific relay transmission parameters, and Padding/FCS for integrity. This segmentation allows efficient processing by separating common operations from user-specific operations, improving control efficiency while managing frame structure complexity through organized modular sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4694270A1Communication device, communication method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 CANON KK
  • EP4694270A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4694270A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4694270A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication apparatus includes a unit configured to transmit, to an access point complying with an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11 series standard, a Trigger frame, the Trigger frame including information for identifying a transmission source communication apparatus as a transmission source of a data frame, information for identifying a destination communication apparatus as a destination of the data frame, and information for identifying a relay communication apparatus relaying and transmitting the data frame, and a unit configured to transmit the data frame to the relay communication apparatus in a case where the information for identifying the transmission source communication apparatus in the Trigger frame matches information for identifying the access point.