WLAN Control Signal Scheduling via Resource Allocation Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high signaling overhead in wireless local area networks (WLANs) due to the transmission of three-dimensional resource allocation information for each downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) multi-user (MU) transmission leads to inefficient resource utilization and increased network overhead, particularly in dense deployments.
Innovation Solution
An access point (AP) generates a control signal with an identifier field indicating that previous resource allocation is to be repeated, reducing the need for resource allocation information in the control signal, allowing stations (STAs) to use stored resource allocation information for DL or UL transmissions, thereby minimizing network resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If 3D resource allocation information is transmitted in every control signal for real-time scheduling, then transmission scheduling accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the access point store resource allocation information from previous transmissions in memory before subsequent transmissions. This pre-stored information is then reused when conditions permit, eliminating the need to retransmit identical allocation data and reducing signaling overhead while maintaining scheduling accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a reference to previously transmitted resource allocation information rather than generating new allocation data. When the same resource allocation pattern applies to subsequent transmissions, the system copies the allocation information from storage and includes it in the control signal, significantly reducing the amount of new signaling required.
2Reliability
If complete resource allocation information is included in every control signal, then transmission reliability is improved, but network resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The access point performs preliminary actions by storing resource allocation information in memory before subsequent transmissions. This pre-stored information serves as a reliable reference that can be reused when applicable, ensuring transmission reliability while reducing the need to retransmit identical data, thereby improving network resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary portion of resource allocation information from previous transmissions. When the same allocation pattern applies, the system extracts and reuses this information rather than transmitting complete new allocation data, maintaining reliability where needed while improving overall network efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If resource allocation information is repeated in successive control signals, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but network overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the control signal content adaptive based on current transmission conditions. The access point dynamically determines whether to include full resource allocation information or reuse previous allocation data based on whether the same allocation pattern is appropriate, providing scheduling flexibility while minimizing network overhead through intelligent selective repetition.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for scheduling successive transmissions in a wireless local area network (WLAN). An Access Point (AP) can generate a control signal that includes an identifier field for indicating that previous resource allocation from a previous transmission is to be repeated, and therefore the control signal itself does not contain resource allocation information. One or more stations (STAs) can receive the control signal and can use the previous resource allocation information stored in their respective memory to perform the transmission. The resource allocation can include three-dimensional (3D) resource allocation, which refers to time, frequency and space-domain multiplexing. Because the control signal has the identifier field, the AP can reduce network load and free resources for payload data or other traffic.