WLAN Resource Allocation via Station Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless local area networks (WLANs), data transmission collisions occur due to the hidden node problem, where access points may select busy resources for data transmission, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

An access point and station system that divides OFDMA time-frequency channel resources into child resources, with the station reporting resource status information to the access point, allowing for precise allocation of orthogonal time-frequency resource blocks or groups, reducing the likelihood of data transmission collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the access point allocates resources based on independent channel sensing by both devices, then the system complexity is reduced, but data transmission collisions occur due to hidden node problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel access complexityVSAvoiddata transmission collision avoidance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the access point sends resource allocation decisions to stations, and stations feedback their actual channel sensing results. This closed-loop feedback system allows the access point to adjust resource allocation based on real channel conditions, resolving hidden node collisions while maintaining centralized control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The access point acts as an intermediary between multiple stations, collecting channel status information from stations and making centralized resource allocation decisions. This intermediary role coordinates channel access among hidden nodes, preventing collisions without requiring direct peer-to-peer negotiation between stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the access point selects resources independently without station feedback, then the resource allocation speed is improved, but the accuracy of resource selection deteriorates leading to collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation speedVSAvoidchannel state detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary channel sensing by stations before resource allocation, where stations report their channel status to the access point in advance. This preliminary action provides the access point with accurate channel state information before making allocation decisions, improving selection accuracy while maintaining fast centralized allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If both devices independently search for free channels, then the autonomy of devices is improved, but the hidden node problem causes discrepancies in channel determination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice autonomyVSAvoidchannel status determination consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Stations autonomously sense channels and provide feedback to the access point about their observations. The access point then uses this feedback to make coordinated resource allocation decisions, maintaining device autonomy in sensing while ensuring consistency in channel status determination through centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3148274B1Information transmitting method, access point and station
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3148274B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3148274B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3148274B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide an information transmission method, an access point, and a station. A channel resource of a wireless local area network is divided into multiple child resources in a frequency domain. The access point includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive resource status information sent by a station, where the resource status information indicates a busy/idle state of each child resource on the station; and an allocation unit, configured to allocate, according to the resource status information, the child resource used to transmit data between the access point and the station. In the embodiments of the present invention, a station sends resource status information to an access point, so as to report a busy/idle state of a child resource on the station to the access point. In this way, the access point can allocate, according to the busy/idle state of a child resource on the station, an appropriate resource for data transmission, thereby reducing a data transmission collision possibility.