WLAN Physical Layer Header Intra-Frame Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in WLANs, face inefficiencies in power management and data decoding due to the lack of effective mechanisms for identifying and filtering frames based on BSS identifiers and device association IDs, leading to unnecessary resource usage and potential frame miss reception.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating identifiers such as BSS IDs and device AIDs in the physical layer headers to perform intra-frame operations like power saving and receive filtering, allowing devices to enter power save mode or discontinue decoding based on matching or non-matching identifiers, thereby optimizing resource allocation and improving frame reception chances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices continuously decode all received transmissions, then frame reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe reception reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing identifier matching in the physical layer header before full frame decoding. Devices extract and compare BSS color and AID identifiers from the header portion of received frames, allowing them to determine early whether a frame is intended for them. This preliminary identification step prevents unnecessary full decoding of frames not meant for the device, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable reception of intended frames.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If devices process all received frames, then frame reception reliability is improved, but resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe reception reliabilityVSAvoidresource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by isolating and utilizing specific identifier fields (BSS color and AID) from the physical layer header for filtering purposes. Instead of processing entire frames, devices extract only these critical identifier elements to determine frame relevance. This selective extraction enables efficient resource utilization by processing only the necessary portions of transmitted data while maintaining reliable reception of intended frames.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Use of energy by moving object

If devices enter power save mode frequently, then power consumption is reduced, but frame reception reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidframe reception reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by using identifier matching results to dynamically control power save mode transitions. Devices continuously monitor physical layer headers for identifier matches, and this feedback information determines whether to remain awake or enter power save mode. When identifiers match, devices stay active to receive the frame; when they don't match, devices can confidently enter power save mode. This feedback-driven approach maintains frame reception reliability while optimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4080944A1Techniques for performing an intra-frame operation based at least in part on identifiers in a wireless local area network physical layer header
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4080944A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4080944A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4080944A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices are described for wireless communication at a receiving device. A receiving device may receive a first physical layer header of a first wireless local area network (WLAN) protocol data unit, sent by a transmitting device, over a shared radio frequency spectrum band. The first physical layer header may comprise at least a value of a color field and at least one of a first device identifier or an uplink/downlink indicator, wherein the value of the color field indicates a first identifier of a basic service set (BSS) and the value of the color field is selected by the transmitting device. The receiving device may compare a second identifier of a BSS to the first identifier of the BSS, the second identifier of the BSS identifying a BSS used by the receiving device. The receiving device may perform an intra-frame operation based at least in part on the comparison and the at least one of the first device identifier or the uplink/downlink indicator.