WLAN Channel Sounding With Selective AP Feedback for Lower Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing channel sounding methods in WLAN systems result in high overheads due to the need for all APs to feedback channel state information, leading to inefficient inter-cell interference reduction and poor resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A channel sounding method where a STA selects and feeds back channel state information only for a subset of APs based on preset conditions, reducing unnecessary feedback and improving resource utilization by indicating which APs are selected for coordinated transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all APs feedback channel state information in conventional channel sounding methods, then complete channel state information is obtained for all APs, but feedback overheads increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary channel state information for selected target APs from the complete set of APs. The STA performs channel sounding on all APs but feeds back information only for a subset of target APs that meet preset conditions, removing unnecessary feedback data and reducing overhead while maintaining essential information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating feedback requirements for different APs. Instead of uniform feedback from all APs, the system selectively provides detailed channel state information only for target APs that satisfy preset conditions, while providing minimal or no feedback for non-target APs, optimizing resource allocation based on local needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional channel sounding methods are used for multi-AP collaboration, then all APs can participate in coordinated transmission, but resource utilization decreases due to high overheads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of all APs into target APs and non-target APs based on preset conditions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain collaboration capabilities for selected target APs while excluding non-target APs from detailed feedback requirements, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency without sacrificing essential collaboration functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by having the STA perform channel sounding on all APs (excessive action) but feed back information only for a subset of target APs (partial action). This approach ensures that sufficient channel state information is obtained for coordinated transmission among target APs while avoiding the excessive overhead of feedback from all APs, thus improving resource utilization.
3Measurement precision
If the STA feeds back channel state information for all n APs, then all APs can be evaluated for collaboration, but feedback frame size and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the STA pre-select target APs based on preset conditions before generating the feedback report. This preliminary selection process filters out APs that do not meet collaboration criteria, reducing the amount of information that needs to be processed and fed back, thereby decreasing feedback processing complexity while maintaining evaluation accuracy for selected APs.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a channel sounding method and apparatus, and relate to the communication field. The method includes: A station STA receives channel sounding frames sent by a plurality of access points APs; the STA performs channel sounding based on the channel sounding frames to obtain channel state information of each AP; and the STA sends a channel measurement report frame, where the channel measurement report frame includes channel state information of some of the plurality of APs and identifiers of the some APs, and the channel measurement report frame is further used to indicate that the some APs are selected to participate in coordinated transmission. That the channel measurement report frame is used to indicate that an AP is selected to participate in coordinated transmission can not only feedback channel state information but also reduce signaling overheads.