WLAN Channel Bonding via Extended Scheduling Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing channel bonding methods in wireless local area networks (WLANs) face delays and inefficiencies in determining suitable channels for bonding, particularly with the IEEE 802.11ay standard, which requires a more flexible and efficient channel bonding scheme to manage media states effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method for transmitting data through channel bonding in a WLAN system involves receiving scheduling information from an access point, including channel bonding and non-channel bonding beacon intervals, and using this information to allocate service periods and contention-based access periods, allowing for flexible channel bonding based on channel availability and STA capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If channel bonding is implemented to increase throughput, then data transmission rate is improved, but delay in determining bondable channels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point performs channel bonding determination in advance during beacon interval processing, before actual data transmission occurs. The AP identifies bondable channels and creates bonding opportunity information proactively, so that when STAs have data to transmit, the channel bonding configuration is already ready, eliminating determination delay and enabling immediate high-rate transmission.
2Productivity
If traditional channel bonding methods are used, then throughput can be increased, but flexibility in coping with media states is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts channel bonding configuration based on real-time media states. The access point monitors channel conditions and STA capabilities, then adjusts bonding opportunities accordingly - selecting which channels to bond, which STAs can use them, and when bonding opportunities occur. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high throughput while flexibly responding to changing media conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes multiple parameters including channel bandwidth (20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz), bonding interval timing, and STA participation based on media states. The access point modifies these parameters dynamically to optimize both throughput and adaptability - for example, using wider bandwidths when channels are favorable and narrower when conditions are poor, while adjusting bonding opportunities to match STA data buffer states.
3Productivity
If channel bonding beacon intervals are allocated for all STAs, then channel bonding capability is maximized, but complexity of scheduling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point applies different scheduling treatments to different STAs based on their specific characteristics and data needs. Rather than uniform scheduling, the AP identifies which STAs have data ready, which STAs support channel bonding, and allocates bonding opportunities selectively to appropriate STAs during specific beacon intervals. This localized, differentiated approach maintains high bonding efficiency while reducing overall scheduling complexity by focusing resources where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of receiving a signal by a station (STA) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system includes receiving, from an access point (AP), an extended scheduling element for allocating one channel that not being a primary channel of the WLAN system among a plurality of channels used for a channel bonding in the WLAN system; and receiving, from the AP, the signal via the one channel, based on the extended scheduling element.