Scheduling Element Duplication for WiGig Coexistence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Legacy WiGig communication devices struggle to decode and reschedule channel time allocations due to format differences in Extended Schedule Elements (ESEs) between NG60_WiGig and legacy WiGig technologies, leading to interference and operational challenges in coexistence environments.

Innovation Solution

A communication method that generates and transmits duplicate scheduling information, where a first scheduling element for legacy devices includes virtual allocations of time-frequency resources allocated to NG60_WiGig devices, allowing legacy devices to recognize and reschedule channel time allocations by analyzing both NG60_ESE and legacy ESE formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If NG60_WiGig devices use a different ESE format to achieve higher data rates and advanced features, then NG60_WiGig performance is improved, but legacy WiGig devices cannot decode the scheduling information, leading to interference and coexistence problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidcompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of the NG60_ESE scheduling information in the legacy ESE format. The NG60_PCP/AP generates both an NG60_ESE with detailed scheduling information for NG60_WiGig devices and a legacy ESE that contains copied scheduling information in the legacy format, allowing legacy devices to decode and understand the schedule without interfering with NG60 operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the NG60_PCP/AP capable of generating and transmitting multiple types of scheduling elements (both NG60_ESE and legacy ESE) to serve different device types. This multi-functionality allows the system to support both NG60_WiGig and legacy WiGig devices simultaneously, with each device type using the appropriate ESE format

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

2Productivity

If legacy WiGig devices operate in the same channel as NG60_WiGig devices without proper scheduling information, then channel utilization is improved, but interference increases and system reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel utilizationVSAvoidinterference mitigation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where legacy PCP/APs receive the legacy ESE containing scheduling information from NG60_PCP/APs, decode it, and use this information to adjust their own transmissions. This feedback loop allows legacy devices to adapt their channel usage based on NG60 allocations, reducing interference while maintaining channel utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides scheduling information to legacy devices in advance through the legacy ESE transmitted in beacon frames. This preliminary action allows legacy devices to plan their transmissions ahead of time, avoiding conflicts with NG60_WiGig transmissions and ensuring reliable coexistence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3840475A1Communication method and communication device
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 APPLE INC
  • EP3840475A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3840475A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3840475A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

There is provided a communication method for a coordinator communication device, the method including generating a first scheduling element to be used by a first communication device and a second scheduling element to be used by a second communication device; and transmitting the first scheduling element and the second scheduling element to the first communication device and to the second communication device. The second scheduling element includes a second allocation that indicates a time-frequency resource allocated to the second communication device, and the first scheduling element includes a first virtual allocation that is a duplicate of the second allocation and a first allocation that indicates a time-frequency resource allocated to the first communication device. The first communication device performs communication in accordance with a first communication system using a first frequency band, and the second communication device performs communication in accordance with the first communication system or a second communication system using a second frequency band that includes the first frequency band.