Wireless Device NAV Control for MU-MC Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems employing Multi-user Multi-Channel (MU-MC) communication, base stations without full duplex capabilities cannot receive uplink signals during downlink MU-MC communication, leading to unnecessary power consumption and inefficiency due to the inability to cancel Network Allocation Vector (NAV) when no CTS frame is received.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism where wireless communication devices keep the NAV set even if no CTS frame is received after a predetermined time, preventing unnecessary transmission operations and reducing power consumption by maintaining the NAV until a designated time period has elapsed, thereby allowing effective channel utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a terminal transmits data to a base station through another channel during downlink MU-MC communication, then the base station can receive the signal only if full duplex scheme is supported, but this requirement complicates the base station configuration
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the base station to support full duplex scheme to receive uplink signals during downlink transmission, the patent inverts the approach by having terminals monitor for CTS frames and cancel their NAV (Network Allocation Vector) only when CTS is received. This allows terminals to intelligently determine whether to transmit based on base station's actual reception capability, eliminating the need for complex full duplex support at the base station while maintaining channel utilization efficiency.
2Productivity
If the base station does not support full duplex scheme, then the terminal can transmit during downlink communication, but the terminal uselessly consumes power due to inability to receive signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the base station transmits CTS (Clear to Send) frames in response to terminal RTS (Request to Send) frames. Terminals monitor for these CTS frames and use them as feedback to determine whether to proceed with transmission. If no CTS is received, the terminal cancels its NAV and avoids unnecessary transmission, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining high channel utilization efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If the terminal waits for CTS frame before transmitting, then unnecessary transmission is prevented, but transmission delay increases when CTS is not received
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the terminal's transmission behavior dynamic by conditionally canceling NAV based on CTS frame reception. Instead of a fixed waiting period, the terminal dynamically adjusts its transmission timing: if CTS is received, transmission proceeds after the standard SIFS interval; if CTS is not received, NAV is canceled and transmission can occur earlier. This dynamic approach reduces both power consumption and transmission delay compared to static waiting mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a wireless communication device, includes: a receiver configured to receive a first frame that requests permission of transmission; and controlling circuitry configured to perform control to prevent transmission in a case where the first frame is not addressed for the own device, wherein the controlling circuitry is configured to keep prevention of the transmission even when a second frame notifying the permission of transmission is not received after a lapse of a first time period following receipt of the first frame.