Wireless Communication Apparatus Multi-Channel Virtual Carrier Sense
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CSMA/CA methods, such as IEEE 802.11, are inadequate for managing media access control across multiple channels with different frequency bandwidths that overlap, leading to inefficiencies in wireless communication systems, particularly in coexistence and backward compatibility with existing specifications.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication method and apparatus that utilize a state management device to determine carrier sense states and generate frames declaring channel occupancy or release across multiple channels, allowing for virtual carrier sense management across channels with different frequency bands, ensuring efficient media access control and compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional CSMA/CA methods are used for media access control, then backward compatibility with existing IEEE 802.11 specifications is maintained, but efficient management of multiple channels with different frequency bandwidths is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media access control process by introducing separate state management devices for different channels. Each state management device independently manages the carrier sense state for its specific channel, allowing parallel and efficient management of multiple channels with different bandwidths while maintaining standard CSMA/CA protocols for backward compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to media access control by introducing virtual carrier sense state management at the MAC layer alongside physical carrier sense. This dual-layer approach enables sophisticated control over multiple channels with different frequency bandwidths while preserving compatibility with existing IEEE 802.11 CSMA/CA implementations
2Speed
If multiple channels with overlapping frequency bands are used, then communication speed is enhanced, but collision management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having state management devices continuously monitor and determine carrier sense states before actual data transmission on each channel. This advance detection of channel occupancy states enables proactive collision avoidance across multiple overlapping frequency bands, managing complexity through preemptive state awareness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual carrier sense state as an intermediary mechanism that mediates access control decisions across multiple channels. This virtual state layer translates and coordinates channel occupancy information from different frequency bands, simplifying collision management by providing a unified view of channel states across overlapping spectra
3Productivity
If virtual carrier sense is implemented across multiple channels, then media access control efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual carrier sense management function into separate state management devices for each channel. This segmentation allows each device to independently track and manage carrier sense states for its specific channel, improving overall media access control efficiency while containing the complexity within modular, manageable units rather than a monolithic system
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication apparatus includes a carrier sense device which determines whether or not the first channel satisfies a specific condition of the determination of an idle state, and an occupation/release control device which performs control to make the first physical layer protocol processing device generate and transmit a first frame which declares that the first channel will be occupied for a first predetermined period by virtual carrier sense, when the specific condition of the determination of the idle state is satisfied, and perform control to make the second physical layer protocol processing device generate and transmit a second frame which declares that the second channel will be occupied for a second predetermined period by virtual carrier sense.