Wireless Station Clustering for Spatial Diversity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing reliance on wireless devices for high data rate and reliable communication poses a challenge due to the need for multiple antennas, which occupy additional space and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that form clusters of wireless stations (STAs) with designated cluster leads to manage data transmission efficiently, using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and space-time block codes to enhance bandwidth and reliability without the need for multiple antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple antennas are used to increase bandwidth capability and reliability, then data rate and reliability are improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless network into clusters of stations with designated cluster leads. Instead of each station using multiple antennas, the system divides communication tasks across multiple stations, where each station uses a single antenna but collectively provides the functionality of multiple antennas through spatial diversity and cooperative communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the antenna functions across multiple stations. By having multiple stations transmit and receive signals simultaneously, the system combines the spatial diversity benefits of multiple antennas into a distributed network, achieving improved reliability and data rates without requiring multiple antennas at each individual station.
2Productivity
If multiple antennas are used to improve bandwidth capability, then data rate is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high data rate requirement across multiple stations rather than requiring each station to have multiple antennas. Each station maintains simple single-antenna hardware, but the collective system achieves high data rates through coordinated transmission and reception across the cluster.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each station multi-functional by enabling them to serve as both transmitters and receivers, and potentially as cluster leads or members. This universal capability allows the system to achieve advanced communication performance using simple, cost-effective single-antenna stations rather than expensive multi-antenna devices.
3Reliability
If cluster leads re-transmit data to access point, then communication reliability is improved, but transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by having cluster leads receive and buffer data from multiple stations before re-transmitting to the access point. This allows the cluster lead to aggregate data from multiple sources and transmit it efficiently in coordinated time slots, reducing overall transmission time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining persistent connections and data buffers within the cluster. The cluster lead continuously receives data from stations and prepares it for re-transmission, ensuring that communication remains active and efficient without unnecessary interruptions or retransmissions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A wireless system includes a cluster (100) of wireless stations (STAs) (102, 103) with one or more STA functioning as a cluster lead (103). Methods of wireless communication are also described.