Wireless Device Antenna Subset Selection for Spatial Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks face challenges in maximizing spatial reuse due to interference from overlapping networks, particularly when devices lack sufficient antenna elements to configure spatial streams and place radiation nulls effectively, limiting channel access opportunities and data throughput.
Innovation Solution
A method where a wireless device selects a subset of antenna elements based on reception powers from access nodes to transmit control and data frames, facilitating efficient null steering and beamforming to mitigate interference and enhance spatial reuse, by receiving control request frames with null indications and responding with calibrated frames to improve channel state information acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If directional antennas with beamforming and null-steering are applied to mitigate co-channel interference, then spatial reuse capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to select and coordinate antenna elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into multiple antenna elements that can be independently selected and controlled. The wireless device divides the full antenna array into subsets based on reception power measurements, allowing selective activation of specific antenna elements for beamforming and null-steering operations, thereby managing complexity through structured segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic antenna element selection where the device adapts its antenna configuration based on real-time reception power measurements from control request frames. The subset of antenna elements is dynamically adjusted according to channel conditions and interference scenarios, enabling flexible spatial reuse without fixed complex configurations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the number of antenna elements is increased to improve beamforming precision and null steering accuracy, then interference mitigation is enhanced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring channel state information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selecting only the necessary subset of antenna elements rather than utilizing all available elements. The device determines the minimum required number of antenna elements based on the number of nulls needed and the reception power measurements, avoiding the complexity of measuring and coordinating all antenna elements while still achieving effective interference mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the wireless device measures reception power from control request frames transmitted by access nodes, uses these measurements to select optimal antenna elements, and then transmits control response frames with the selected elements. This closed-loop feedback simplifies channel state information acquisition by focusing measurements only on the selected subset rather than the entire antenna array.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances spatial reuse, reduces latency, and improves data throughput by coordinating null steering and beamforming, allowing for more efficient channel access and interference mitigation in multi-antenna environments.
Implementation Method 1
In beamforming, phases of the antennas are aligned such that they add up constructively, to provide gain of the signal in a desired direction
Implementation Method 2
In null-steering the phases are aligned to decrease interference caused to devices in other directions
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, including receiving, by a wireless device of a first wireless network, a control request frame from a second access node of a second wireless network, the control request frame including at least a number of nulls for the wireless device. The wireless device selects a subset of antenna elements, wherein the number of antenna elements is in accordance with the number of nulls for the wireless device, and the antenna elements are selected based on reception powers of antenna elements of at least a frame from a first access node of the first wireless network and/or the second access node of the second wireless network. The wireless device transmits a control response frame with the selected antenna elements, and a data frame to the first access node with the selected antenna elements.