Wireless Device NAV Management for OBSS Interference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in effectively managing wireless channels due to the lack of specific techniques for utilizing Intra-BSS NAV and Regular NAV, leading to inefficiencies in Dynamic Sensitivity Control (DSC) and increased interference from hidden terminals and OBSS.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device that sets transmission prohibition periods for both Intra-BSS and Regular NAVs, and determines the state of the wireless medium by comparing the reception level of frames with thresholds specific to each network, allowing for Dynamic Sensitivity Control (DSC) to prioritize channel access and reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single NAV management method is used for both own BSS and OBSS packets, then the system is simple to operate, but channel access efficiency deteriorates due to excessive transmission prohibitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments NAV management into two independent mechanisms: Intra-BSS NAV for packets from own BSS and Regular NAV for packets from OBSS. This segmentation allows different handling strategies for different packet sources, enabling terminals to differentiate between intra-BSS and inter-BSS transmissions and apply appropriate NAV settings, thereby improving channel access efficiency without sacrificing operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic NAV management where the terminal adaptively adjusts transmission prohibition periods based on packet source identification. By dynamically setting Intra-BSS NAV and Regular NAV separately, the system can flexibly respond to different transmission scenarios, allowing terminals to access the channel more efficiently when OBSS packets are detected while maintaining proper coordination within own BSS.
2Device complexity
If DSC is performed without specific Intra-BSS NAV and Regular NAV utilization techniques, then device complexity is reduced, but interference from hidden terminals and OBSS increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different CCA thresholds to different BSS contexts. Terminals use a first CCA threshold for detecting packets from own BSS and a second CCA threshold for detecting packets from OBSS. This localized threshold assignment allows the system to maintain low device complexity while effectively reducing interference from hidden terminals and OBSS by adapting sensitivity to the local transmission environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where terminals continuously monitor received packets, identify their source (own BSS or OBSS), and adjust CCA thresholds accordingly. This feedback loop enables the DSC mechanism to respond dynamically to channel conditions, reducing interference from hidden terminals and OBSS while keeping device complexity manageable through automated threshold adjustment.
3Productivity
If transmission prohibition periods are set for both Intra-BSS and Regular NAV, then channel utilization improves, but device complexity increases due to dual NAV management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of Intra-BSS NAV and Regular NAV into a unified terminal architecture. The terminal maintains both NAV values but integrates their management through a single control logic that determines which NAV to apply based on packet source identification. This merging approach allows the system to improve channel utilization through dual NAV management while minimizing the increase in device complexity by consolidating control functions.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a wireless communication device includes: controlling circuitry configured to set at least one of: a first transmission prohibition period for a first network to which the wireless communication device belongs; or a second transmission prohibition period for a second network, and to determine, when a first frame addressed to another device is received in a case that the first transmission prohibition period is not set and the second transmission prohibition period is set, a state of a wireless medium based on comparing a reception level of the first frame with a threshold defined corresponding to one of the first network and the second network, to which a sender of the first frame belongs.