WLAN Frame Additional Data Subcarriers for Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing WLAN technologies face challenges in providing additional signaling information while maintaining backward compatibility with previous standards, particularly in high-density scenarios where increased system throughput is required.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating and transmitting frames with additional data subcarriers in the legacy short training field, legacy long training field, legacy signal field, and data field of a legacy frame format, allowing for the allocation of predetermined information in subcarriers not initially set as data subcarriers, and using these additional data subcarriers for channel estimation and signaling, while maintaining compatibility with legacy devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If additional signaling information is provided in new WLAN versions, then system throughput is improved, but backward compatibility with legacy WLAN standards deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the frequency domain by introducing additional data subcarriers beyond the legacy frame format specifications. These extra subcarriers provide an additional dimension for carrying signaling information without altering the time-domain structure or legacy field definitions, thereby maintaining backward compatibility while enabling enhanced throughput through increased information capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the frame structure by separating legacy fields (which maintain original functionality for backward compatibility) from additional data subcarriers (which carry new signaling information). This segmentation allows legacy devices to process only the original fields while new devices can exploit both legacy and additional portions, resolving the compatibility contradiction.
2Loss of information
If additional data subcarriers are used for signaling information, then information capacity is increased, but frame structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The additional data subcarriers are designed to serve multiple functions: they carry signaling information for new WLAN features while maintaining compatibility with legacy frame processing. The same subcarrier structure and modulation schemes are reused from legacy standards, allowing universal processing methods that reduce overall system complexity despite increased information capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transmitting a frame is provided by a device in a WLAN. The device sets as additional data subcarriers some of subcarriers which are not set as data subcarriers in at least part of fields included in a frame of a legacy frame format, and allocates information to the additional data subcarriers.