Coordinated WLAN Power Control for Interference Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless local area networks (WLANs), coordinating transmissions between overlapping Basic Service Sets (BSSs) to enhance spectral efficiency and prevent interference is challenging, as existing methods lack effective mechanisms to manage resource allocation and interference mitigation during coordinated transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first access point (AP) acts as a controller, transmitting multi-AP scheduling and coordinated transmission triggers to allocate resources conditionally based on interference thresholds, using parameters like CO-UL and CO-DL to determine if neighboring APs or stations can use allocated resources without causing interference, thereby enabling concurrent uplink and downlink communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple APs share the wireless channel for coordinated transmissions, then spectral efficiency is improved, but interference between overlapping BSSs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless channel into different resource units (RUs) that can be independently allocated to different APs and STAs. This allows multiple BSSs to share the channel simultaneously without complete interference, as each segment can be dedicated to specific transmissions. The segmentation enables coordinated transmissions while isolating interference to specific resource portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coordinator AP that acts as an intermediary to manage and coordinate transmissions between overlapping BSSs. The coordinator receives trigger frames from multiple APs, determines resource allocations, and manages the transmission opportunities. This intermediary role enables controlled sharing of the wireless medium while preventing uncoordinated interference.
2Speed
If resource allocation is done without interference consideration, then allocation speed is improved, but interference to primary WLAN increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the coordinator AP receive and process trigger frames from multiple APs before actual transmissions occur. The coordinator determines resource allocations and identifies transmission opportunities in advance, allowing the system to prepare coordination decisions before the wireless medium is accessed. This preliminary coordination enables fast allocation while preventing interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the coordinator AP receives trigger frames containing information about transmission requirements from multiple APs, processes this information, and returns coordinated transmission decisions. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust resource allocations based on actual transmission needs while maintaining interference protection for the primary WLAN.
3Reliability
If direct management between overlapping WLANs is implemented, then coordination effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordinator AP as an intermediary that centralizes the coordination function. Instead of requiring direct management between multiple overlapping WLANs, the coordinator receives trigger frames from various APs, processes their requirements, and manages the resource allocation. This intermediary approach maintains effective coordination while significantly reducing the complexity of direct multi-WLAN management.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinator AP performs multiple functions: receiving trigger frames from different APs, determining resource allocations, identifying transmission opportunities, and managing coordinated transmissions. This multi-functional design consolidates coordination complexity into a single device that can handle multiple BSSs, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining coordination effectiveness.
4Area of stationary object
If transmit power is increased for coordinated transmissions, then transmission range is improved, but interference to other BSSs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allocating specific resource units to specific APs and STAs with different transmit power levels appropriate to their local requirements. Rather than using uniform high power for all transmissions, the system assigns resources based on the specific needs of each BSS, allowing extended range where needed while limiting power to minimize interference to other BSSs in other resource portions.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, devices, apparatus, and methods, including computer programs encoded on storage media, for preventing or reducing cross-network interference associated with a coordinated transmission on a wireless channel. A first access point (AP) of a first basic service set (BSS) and a second AP of a second BSS can concurrently use the wireless channel using a coordinated transmission during a portion of a transmission opportunity (TXOP). The TXOP owner (such as the first AP) may allocate a resource assignment to the second AP such that the resource assignment is conditionally available for use by the second AP in a coordinated transmission. The condition may prevent the resource assignment from being used by the second BSS when its use would cause interference to the first BSS. The condition may be based on a transmit power for downlink communication or uplink communication in the second BSS.