WLAN Frame Format Indication Field for Multi-Standard Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing WLAN standards have distinct frame structures, making it challenging for devices to identify and support multiple standards, which hinders backward compatibility and network flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A frame transmission method that detects a format indication field within received frames to identify different WLAN standards, such as 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax, by utilizing modulation schemes and energy distribution analysis in the format indication field, allowing for backward compatibility and hybrid networking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different frame formats are used in multiple WLAN standards, then each standard can be optimized for its specific requirements, but devices cannot easily identify and support multiple standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the standard identification information from the entire frame structure and concentrates it in a specific format indication field within the preamble. This allows devices to quickly identify the WLAN standard by examining only this specific field rather than analyzing the entire frame, thereby reducing identification complexity while maintaining multi-standard support capability
Solution Approach 2:
The format indication field is placed in the preamble portion of the frame, which is transmitted and received before the main data payload. This preliminary placement of identification information allows devices to determine the frame format and standard type before attempting to decode the rest of the frame, enabling efficient multi-standard operation without increasing overall complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If new-generation WLAN devices support previous standards for backward compatibility, then hybrid networking can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal frame structure where the format indication field serves multiple functions: it identifies the WLAN standard type, determines the appropriate decoding method, and enables backward compatibility. This single field allows new-generation devices to universally handle frames from multiple standards (802.11a, 802.11n, 802.11ac, etc.) without requiring separate identification mechanisms for each standard, thereby achieving backward compatibility while managing device complexity
3Measurement precision
If the entire frame is decoded to determine the standard, then accurate identification can be achieved, but time and processing resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential standard identification information into a dedicated format indication field that can be examined independently and quickly. Devices can determine the WLAN standard by analyzing only this specific field in the preamble without needing to decode the entire frame payload, thereby maintaining accurate standard identification while significantly reducing processing time and resource consumption
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing the complete action of decoding the entire frame to identify the standard, the patent enables partial action by allowing devices to stop after examining the format indication field. This partial decoding approach provides sufficient information for standard identification without the time and resource cost of full frame decoding, achieving a balance between accuracy and efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a frame transmission method and an apparatus for a wireless local area network, which relate to the field of communications technologies. In the present invention, in a WLAN frame transmission process, a frame sent by a wireless local area network WLAN device is received, and identification of frames of different standards is completed by detecting a format indication field included in the frame, so as to implement backward compatibility of the WLAN device, so that hybrid networking of WLAN devices of different standards can be supported, flexibility of network deployment is improved, and networking complexity is reduced.