WLAN Spatial Reuse Control for Triggered Uplink MU Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spatial reuse technologies in wireless local area networks (WLANs) suffer from low efficiency due to inadequate methods for determining channel reuse based on signal strength and interference, leading to suboptimal network performance.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize indication information in physical signaling fields of radio frames to determine whether to perform spatial reuse, including acquiring first and second spatial reuse information to manage network allocation vectors and transmission power, thereby improving network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If spatial reuse is performed based on signal strength threshold alone, then transmission opportunities are increased, but interference to receivers is not adequately controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial reuse efficiencyVSAvoidinterference to receiver

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the decision parameter from simple signal strength threshold to a combined assessment of signal strength and interference level. The station calculates both the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and the interference level, then uses these combined parameters to determine whether spatial reuse should be performed, thereby controlling interference while maintaining transmission opportunities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces feedback mechanisms where the station continuously monitors both signal strength and interference levels from ongoing transmissions. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust the spatial reuse decision, allowing the system to adapt to changing channel conditions and maintain optimal performance while controlling interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If spatial reuse is restricted to maintain low interference, then receiver quality is preserved, but spectrum efficiency and network performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiver qualityVSAvoidspectrum efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the spatial reuse decision dynamic by continuously evaluating both signal strength and interference levels rather than using a fixed threshold. The station can adaptively switch between performing spatial reuse and deferring transmission based on real-time channel conditions, thereby maintaining receiver quality when necessary while maximizing spectrum efficiency when conditions permit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the decision criteria from a single parameter (signal strength threshold) to multiple parameters (signal strength and interference level). This multi-parameter approach allows the system to identify transmission opportunities that would be missed by simple threshold-based methods while still protecting receiver quality through interference level monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If two types of spatial reuse determination are used separately, then comprehensive channel information is gathered, but reuse efficiency is reduced due to inability to perform multiplexed transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel information completenessVSAvoidspatial reuse efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the two separate spatial reuse determination methods (signal strength-based and interference-based) into a unified decision-making process. The station simultaneously considers both signal strength and interference level information to make a single spatial reuse decision, enabling multiplexed transmission while maintaining complete channel information assessment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal spatial reuse determination mechanism that incorporates both signal strength threshold assessment and interference level assessment into a single multi-functional decision process. This unified approach allows the system to leverage both types of information for improved spatial reuse efficiency while maintaining comprehensive channel awareness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12538280B2Spatial reuse method and device

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 ZTE CORP

AI summary

Provided are a spatial reuse method and apparatus. The method includes: receiving a radio frame and determining whether the radio frame carries a trigger frame configured to trigger uplink multi-user transmission according to indication information of the trigger frame in a physical signaling field of the radio frame; when the trigger frame is determined to be carried in the radio frame, receiving, by a station, the trigger frame, and acquiring first spatial reuse information of the trigger frame; at an end of a radio frame reception process, determining whether to perform first spatial reuse according to the first spatial reuse information. The present disclosure solves the problem in the related art of low spatial reuse efficiency when a station performs spatial reuse on a radio frame and achieves a technical effect of improving network performance.