Wireless Communication Apparatus for Millimeter Wave Device Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current millimeter waveband wireless communication systems using directional multi-gigabit (DMG) beacons face challenges in achieving high-speed device discovery within 200 ms, especially when the number of stations to be discovered increases, due to increased overhead and collision rates during beamforming and sector sweeps.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication apparatus that generates transmission frames with sector identifier fields for directional transmissions and quasi-omni transmission indicators, allowing for efficient directional and quasi-omni transmission in beacon transmission intervals, reducing overhead and collision rates by using sector identifier fields to differentiate between transmit sectors and indicating quasi-omni transmission in DMG beacons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of STAs to be discovered increases, then the discovery capacity increases, but the discovery time exceeds 200 ms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the discovery process into two distinct phases: quasi-omni transmission phase for rapid initial discovery, and directional transmission phase for detailed sector-specific communication. This segmentation allows the system to quickly discover multiple STAs in the quasi-omni phase without exceeding the 200ms limit, while still enabling comprehensive sector-level communication when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic alternation between quasi-omni transmission and directional transmission modes within the beacon transmission interval. By periodically switching between these two transmission types, the system can efficiently manage the discovery of multiple STAs while maintaining sector-specific communication capabilities, thereby reducing overall discovery time.
2Measurement precision
If traditional directional transmission is used for all DMG beacons, then sector-specific communication is optimized, but discovery speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different transmission characteristics for different beacon types: quasi-omni transmission for discovery beacons to maximize coverage and speed, and directional transmission for data transfer beacons to optimize sector-specific communication. This localized optimization of transmission quality for different functional requirements resolves the contradiction between discovery speed and sector identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the transmission mode to change based on the beacon type and operational phase. The system dynamically switches between quasi-omni and directional transmission modes, making the transmission characteristics flexible rather than fixed, thereby achieving both fast discovery and accurate sector communication.
3Reliability
If sector sweeps are performed for each STA, then directional communication quality is improved, but overhead and collision rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary quasi-omni transmission before directional sector sweeps. By first establishing initial connectivity and synchronization through quasi-omni beacons, the system prepares the communication state in advance, reducing the need for repeated sector sweeps and thereby lowering overhead and collision rates while maintaining communication quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous discovery capability through quasi-omni transmission while minimizing interruptions for sector sweeps. By keeping the quasi-omni transmission active and reducing the frequency of directional sector sweeps, the system ensures continuous useful action for discovery while reducing the complexity and collision risks associated with frequent sector sweeps.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: a frame configuration circuit that generates a transmission frame including DMG beacons, wherein sector ID fields in SSW fields included in the respective DMG beacons indicate one or more transmit sectors used for directional transmissions of the respective DMG beacons, and a field different from the sector ID field included in each DMG beacon indicates whether or not there is quasi-omni transmission; and a transmission wireless circuit that performs, by using the transmit sector indicated by the sector ID field, directional transmission on a first DMG beacon that is included in the DMG beacons and in which the field different from the sector ID field indicates non-quasi-omni transmission and performs quasi-omni transmission on a second DMG beacon that is included in the DMG beacons and in which the different field indicates quasi-omni transmission, in a BTI.