Wireless Communication Frame Selection Across Microwave and mmWave Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of millimeter-wave bands in Multi-Link communication poses challenges due to their highly directional nature, making it desirable to transmit and receive information using suitable frequency bands according to purpose.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication device capable of operating in multiple frequency bands includes a transmitting means for selecting between links in different frequency bands based on the type of frame to be transmitted, ensuring optimal use of microwave and millimeter-wave bands for efficient information exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If millimeter-wave bands are used for Multi-Link communication, then high throughput can be achieved, but the highly directional nature causes interruptions and reliability issues

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses microwave-band links as intermediary channels to transmit control frames and scheduling information that coordinate millimeter-wave data transmission. This mediator approach allows the system to maintain reliable control signaling through omnidirectional microwave links while utilizing directional millimeter-wave links for high-speed data transfer, thereby resolving the reliability-throughput contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments communication functions by separating control frame transmission from data transmission. Control frames are transmitted via microwave-band links while data is transmitted via millimeter-wave links. This segmentation allows each frequency band to be optimized for its suitable function, with microwave providing reliable control signaling and millimeter-wave providing high-speed data transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple frequency bands are used for Multi-Link communication, then communication performance can be improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a unified link selection mechanism that handles multiple frequency bands through a single decision-making framework. The transmitting device determines whether to use microwave or millimeter-wave bands based on frame type and communication requirements, providing a universal approach that manages multi-band complexity while maintaining performance benefits.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4622386A1Wireless communication device, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 CANON KK
  • EP4622386A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4622386A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4622386A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless communication device transmits a wireless frame compliant with an IEEE 802.11 series standard, establishes multiple links between the wireless communication device and another wireless communication device, and selects, in a case where the multiple links include a link in a prescribed frequency band and a link in a frequency band other than the prescribed frequency band, whether to use the link in the prescribed frequency band or the link in the frequency band other than the prescribed frequency band according to a type of frame to be transmitted by the transmitting means.