Wireless Data Frame Padding for MU-MIMO Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) and multi-channel environments, the difference in data frame lengths across transmission paths leads to frame reception issues and collisions, as terminals cannot simultaneously transmit and receive data due to varying frame lengths.

Innovation Solution

A new data frame format is introduced, which includes subframes with zero MPDU length information and padding delimiters to ensure all data frames have the same temporal length, preventing frame collisions by synchronizing transmission times across multiple terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data frames are transmitted to multiple terminals using MU-MIMO or multi-channel, then data throughput is improved, but frame collisions occur due to different frame lengths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidframe reception reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitting terminal determines the maximum data frame length among all terminals before transmission, and pads shorter frames in advance to match this maximum length. This preliminary padding action ensures all frames have equal length before being transmitted through different channels, preventing frame collisions and ensuring reliable reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If data frames of different lengths are transmitted to multiple terminals, then transmission efficiency is improved, but terminals cannot simultaneously transmit and receive due to length differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidsimultaneous transmission and reception capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies homogeneity by making all data frames transmitted to different terminals have the same length through padding. This uniformity ensures that all terminals complete reception at the same time, enabling simultaneous transmission and reception operations without interference, thus maintaining both transmission efficiency and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Stability of the object's composition

If a new data frame format with padding is introduced, then frame length uniformity is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe length uniformityVSAvoiddata frame structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses padding fields as temporary, disposable elements that are added to data frames only when needed to achieve uniform length. These padding fields occupy minimal space and are simple in structure, providing the necessary frame length uniformity without significantly increasing overall system complexity or requiring complex processing logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3285409B1Method and apparatus for transmitting a data frame in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST
  • EP3285409B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3285409B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3285409B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a technique relating to a method and apparatus for generating, transmitting, and receiving a data frame having a newly proposed format in a wireless communication system. According to the technique, the method for generating a data frame in a wireless communication system comprises the following steps: generating at least one first subframe; generating at least one second sub frame; and generating a data frame including the first and second subframes, wherein the first and second subframes include length information of a MAC protocol data unit (MPDU) contained in the and second subrames, and the length information of the MPDU contained in the second subframe is zero.