Wireless Sequence Number Management for Multicast Frame Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs, the existing sequence number management methods for data frames are inadequate, leading to intermittence issues during multicast and broadcast transmissions, where sequence numbers are not individually managed for each destination, causing difficulties in determining undelivered data frames and affecting data exchange efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that adds notification information about sequence numbers other than the start sequence number to request information, such as block ACK requests, to ensure accurate confirmation of data frame reception and transmission, allowing for proper data exchange by distinguishing between delivered and undelivered data frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sequence numbers are incremented by one for each data frame and management frame transmitted, then sequence number management is simplified, but intermittence occurs in sequence numbers during data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sequence number space by introducing separate sequence number counters for unicast frames and multicast/broadcast frames. This allows independent management of sequence numbers for different frame types, preventing intermittence caused by management frames incrementing the unicast sequence number counter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sequence number translation mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the transmitted frame sequence numbers and the expected sequence numbers at the receiver. This translation layer resolves the intermittence by mapping received frames to the correct position in the expected sequence number series, accounting for frames that don't require acknowledgment.
2Quantity of substance
If sequence numbers are used in common for multicast and broadcast frames, then sequence number space utilization is improved, but it becomes difficult to determine undelivered data frames
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different sequence number management characteristics to different frame types. Unicast frames use one sequence number counter with acknowledgment requirements, while multicast and broadcast frames use separate counters with different acknowledgment policies. This localized differentiation enables precise tracking of delivered and undelivered frames for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic sequence number management where the sequence number counter increments selectively based on frame type and acknowledgment requirements. The system dynamically adjusts which sequence numbers are expected and how delivery is confirmed, allowing accurate determination of undelivered frames even when sequence numbers are shared across different frame types.
3Reliability
If block ACK request is transmitted for management frames, then reception confirmation is obtained, but transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by requiring block ACK requests only for data frames that need reliable delivery confirmation, while management frames and multicast frames are transmitted without requiring block ACK. This selective approach obtains necessary reception confirmations for critical data while avoiding unnecessary transmission overhead for frames where retransmission is not required.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus including a control unit that performs control for adding, to request information for requesting a different apparatus for a confirmation response to a plurality of data transmitted to the different apparatus, notification information. The notification information is information regarding at least sequence numbers other than a start sequence number from among sequence numbers corresponding to the plurality of data. Further, the control unit transmits the request information, to which the notification information is added, to the different apparatus.