WLAN Frame Transmission Using Discontinuous Channel Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current WLAN technologies cannot efficiently use channels due to the need for the secondary channel to always be used with the primary channel, leading to unoccupied channels being unused, especially in high-density environments with overlapping basic service sets (OBSS).
Innovation Solution
A method for transmitting and receiving frames in a WLAN that involves selecting and using discontinuous channels, including transmitting bandwidth information to align transmission end times and set network allocation vectors (NAV) for efficient channel utilization, allowing for independent use of primary and secondary channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the secondary channel is always used together with the primary channel, then channel access control is simplified, but unoccupied channels cannot be used leading to poor bandwidth utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel usage by introducing separate NAV timers (first NAV for primary channel, second NAV for secondary channel) that can be independently managed. This allows the secondary channel to be divided into occupied and unoccupied portions, enabling independent access control and utilization of different channel segments without being bound to always use the entire secondary channel with the primary channel.
2Reliability
If the primary channel is occupied by OBSS, then channel access is controlled, but unoccupied secondary channels cannot be used in high density environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the NAV timing by introducing a second NAV timer that can be set to expire at a different time than the first NAV timer. This segmentation allows the secondary channel to become available for use even when the primary channel is still occupied by OBSS transmissions, enabling continuous channel efficiency while maintaining collision avoidance reliability through the first NAV timer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic NAV timer management where the second NAV timer can be independently adjusted and expired at different times than the first NAV timer. This dynamic timing adjustment allows the system to adaptively utilize unoccupied secondary channels while the primary channel is occupied, optimizing channel efficiency in high-density environments without compromising collision avoidance.
3Productivity
If discontinuous channels are selected for communication, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but transmission coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel access control by introducing separate NAV timers for primary and secondary channels. This segmentation simplifies the coordination of discontinuous channel selection by providing independent timing control mechanisms for each channel, allowing devices to efficiently switch between occupied and unoccupied channels without complex coordination overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transmitting a frame is provided by a first device in a WLAN. The first device transmits a first frame including bandwidth information of a first channel to a second device and performs a communication with the second device through the first channel. The first channel is selected from among a plurality of channels into which an entire channel width is divided. Discontinuous channels are capable of being selected as the first channel from among the plurality of channels.