Wireless Signaling Structure for Multi-User Channel Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, the increasing volume and complexity of information lead to a significant overhead in bandwidth required for physical layer control signals, particularly when multiple types of traffic are sent concurrently from an access point to multiple terminals, necessitating a reduction in the number of bits required for physical layer control information.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating a message with a first signal field indicating the length of the message and a second signal field indicating channel assignments, which can have a variable length, either explicitly or implicitly encoded in the first signal field, to efficiently manage channel allocations and transmissions in wireless communication systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of physical layer control signals is increased to support multiple types of traffic concurrently, then the system can accommodate more traffic types and users, but the overhead bandwidth required for control information increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for multiple traffic typesVSAvoidoverhead bandwidth for control information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a unified signaling structure that can accommodate multiple traffic types (e.g., broadcast, multicast, unicast) and multiple users simultaneously. The downlink control information field is structured to provide universal channel assignment capabilities across different traffic types without requiring separate dedicated signaling for each type, thus supporting diverse traffic while controlling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by organizing control information in a hierarchical structure where general control parameters are nested within broader control frames. The downlink control information contains nested elements for user-specific assignments, allowing compact representation of multiple levels of control data. This nested structure enables efficient packing of control information, reducing the total overhead bandwidth required while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of bits used to convey physical layer control information is increased to manage multiple terminals, then more terminals can be controlled, but the limited communication resources are consumed more rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol capability for multiple terminalsVSAvoidnumber of bits for control information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the downlink control information into distinct fields and sub-fields, each serving specific functions. The control information is segmented into user identification portions, channel assignment portions, and traffic type indicators. This segmentation allows efficient encoding where only necessary segments are expanded to accommodate additional terminals, rather than increasing the entire control message size proportionally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes dimensionality change by organizing terminal control information in a two-dimensional structure rather than a simple linear sequence. Terminal assignments are arranged in rows and columns where one dimension represents user groups and the other represents resource allocations. This dimensional organization allows compact representation of multi-terminal control data, reducing the total bit count required compared to traditional linear encoding methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3141064B1Methods and apparatus for signaling user allocations in multi-user wireless communication networks
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3141064B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3141064B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3141064B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for high efficiency wireless communication is provided. In one aspect, a method of high efficiency wireless communication includes generating, at an access point, a message for transmission over at least one channel. The message includes a first signal field indicative of a length of the first message after the first signal field. The message further includes a second signal field indicative of at least one channel assignment. The second signal field has a length based on a minimum allocation size. The method further includes transmitting the message to one or more wireless devices.