WLAN Frequency-Segment Backoff and Padding Synchronization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as IEEE 802.11be, face challenges in efficiently managing simultaneous transmission and reception across multiple frequency segments, particularly in ensuring synchronized and unsynchronized transmissions end at the same time.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining that a communication device should transmit in one frequency segment simultaneously with another frequency segment, performing separate backoff operations for each segment to determine transmission times, and adjusting contention windows for retransmissions while maintaining synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate backoff operations are performed for each frequency segment, then transmission coordination between segments is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission coordinationVSAvoidbackoff operation management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the backoff operation into separate independent processes for each frequency segment. Each segment maintains its own backoff counter and contention window, allowing independent transmission decisions. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by improving transmission coordination through independent control while managing complexity through modular, segment-specific operation rather than unified complex coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of contention windows based on transmission outcomes in each frequency segment. When transmission fails in a segment, the contention window for that segment is increased; when successful, it may be decreased. This dynamic adaptation improves coordination reliability while keeping the system responsive and avoiding excessive complexity through condition-based adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If transmissions in multiple frequency segments are synchronized to end at the same time, then interference is reduced, but transmission flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidtransmission timing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary padding to transmissions in frequency segments that would otherwise end earlier than others. By adding padding data in advance to equalize transmission durations, the system achieves synchronized segment endings that reduce interference, while maintaining flexibility through selective padding application based on individual segment conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission duration parameter of individual frequency segments by adding padding to shorter transmissions. This parameter adjustment allows segments to be extended to match the longest segment duration, achieving synchronized endings and reduced interference while preserving the ability to adapt transmission lengths based on data requirements and segment conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If contention windows are adjusted for retransmissions in one frequency segment, then transmission reliability in that segment is improved, but overall system throughput may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretransmission success rateVSAvoidsystem throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the contention window adjustment mechanism so that each frequency segment independently adjusts its own contention window based on its specific transmission outcomes. This segmentation allows reliable retransmission handling in individual segments without forcing other segments to adopt conservative timing, thereby maintaining overall system throughput while improving reliability where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality adjustment by modifying contention window parameters specifically in frequency segments experiencing transmission failures, while leaving other segments operating with their original or optimized parameters. This localized adjustment improves retransmission reliability in problematic segments without unnecessarily reducing throughput in segments that are performing well.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12348345B2Padding and backoff operations when transmitting via multiple frequency segments in a WLAN

Publication Date: 2025.07.01 MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

A communication device performs a first backoff operation with a first backoff counter to determine when to transmit a first packet in a first frequency, and performs a second backoff operation with a second backoff counter to determine when to transmit a second packet in a second frequency segment. In connection with the first backoff counter expiring, the communication device transmits the first packet in the first frequency segment. In connection with the second backoff counter expiring, the communication device transmits the second packet in the second frequency segment simultaneously with transmitting the first packet in the first frequency segment. In response to determining that transmission of the first packet in the first frequency segment failed, the communication device increases a first contention window for a retransmission of the first packet, and does not adjust the second contention window for a next transmission in the second frequency segment.