Wireless Resource Allocation in Overlapping WLANs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In overlapping basic service sets (OBSS) environments, wireless local area networks (WLANs) face collisions and performance degradation due to interference between coexisting networks, leading to reduced spectral efficiency and increased service delays, which existing MAC protocols struggle to mitigate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involve transmitting beacon signals and request signals to collect resource allocation information from adjacent networks, allowing for resource reservation and communication based on received information to minimize interference and optimize resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple WLANs coexist in overlapping basic service sets (OBSS) environments using contention-based MAC protocols, then wireless connectivity is provided to multiple terminals, but collisions and interference occur leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having access points transmit beacon signals containing resource allocation information before actual data transmission occurs. Terminals collect this information in advance and use it to determine appropriate transmission resources, preventing collisions before they happen rather than dealing with them after occurrence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where terminals monitor and collect resource allocation information from beacon signals of adjacent access points. This feedback loop allows terminals to adapt their transmission decisions based on current network conditions and resource usage patterns of neighboring networks, improving overall system coordination.
2Productivity
If terminals transmit signals simultaneously in OBSS environments without resource coordination, then channel access opportunity increases, but collision probability increases reducing spectral efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of transmission timing by having terminals determine specific transmission time slots based on collected resource allocation information from adjacent networks. Instead of random or simultaneous transmission, terminals adjust their transmission timing parameters to avoid overlapping with other networks, maintaining productivity while reducing energy waste from collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation where terminals can adaptively select transmission resources based on current network conditions. The resource allocation information contained in beacon signals allows terminals to dynamically adjust their channel access strategy, changing transmission parameters according to the temporal and spatial distribution of other networks.
3Reliability
If resource allocation information is collected from adjacent networks, then interference is reduced improving resource efficiency, but additional signaling overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the beacon signal serve multiple functions: it provides standard wireless network identification and connectivity information, and simultaneously carries resource allocation information for interference coordination. This multi-functionality allows resource efficiency improvement without requiring separate dedicated signaling channels, thereby minimizing additional overhead.
4Ease of operation
If contention-free period (CFP) is operated by reservation without observing channel conditions, then transmission opportunities are allocated to particular users, but collisions with reserved TXOP of other overlapping service sets occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having access points include resource allocation information in their beacon signals before terminals attempt CFP transmissions. Terminals collect this information in advance and use it to select transmission opportunities that do not conflict with reserved TXOPs of adjacent networks, preventing collisions before they occur while maintaining the ease of CFP operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A 5th-Generation (5G) or pre-5G communication system to support a higher data rate beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE) is provided. The method for operating resources by a device included in a first network among a plurality of networks in a wireless communication system where the plurality of networks overlap includes transmitting, to terminals included in the first network, at least one of a beacon signal and a request signal requesting resource allocation information related to adjacent devices respectively included in networks adjacent to the first network, receiving the resource allocation information related to the adjacent devices from the terminals, and reserving a resource to be used for communication based on the received resource allocation information related to the adjacent devices.