WLAN Trigger Frame Bitmaps for Distributed Resource Unit Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing WLAN technologies face challenges in efficiently utilizing distributed resource units (DRUs) for improved transmission rates, reliability, and reduced latency, particularly in supporting low latency and ultra-high reliability (UHR) environments.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for signaling the application of distributed resource units (DRUs) in a WLAN system, involving the transmission and reception of physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) with trigger frames containing bitmaps that indicate DRU allocation, enabling efficient DRU application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If distributed resource units (DRUs) are implemented in WLAN systems, then transmission rates and reliability are improved, but device complexity and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resource units are segmented into distributed resource units (DRUs) that can be independently allocated to different stations. The trigger frame is segmented into multiple bitmaps, where each bitmap corresponds to a specific DRU group, allowing granular control and reduced signaling overhead per DRU while maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension in resource allocation by distributing resource units across the frequency spectrum in a non-contiguous manner. Multiple bitmaps are used to represent different DRU groups, adding a dimensional structure to the signaling mechanism that enables efficient representation of complex DRU allocations without proportionally increasing overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple bitmaps are used to indicate DRU allocation, then resource allocation precision is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation precisionVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The resource allocation information is segmented into multiple bitmaps, where each bitmap represents a specific group of DRUs. This segmentation allows for precise indication of which DRUs are allocated to which stations while using compact bitmap representations that minimize the total signaling overhead compared to alternative encoding schemes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation by using bitmaps instead of traditional resource allocation fields. Each bitmap uses a compact binary representation where each bit corresponds to a specific DRU, allowing for efficient encoding of allocation status (allocated/not allocated) with minimal bits per DRU group.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If DRU-based resource allocation is implemented, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic DRU allocation where the number, size, and position of DRUs can be flexibly adjusted based on channel conditions and traffic requirements. The trigger frame dynamically indicates which DRUs are allocated to which stations, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and optimize bandwidth utilization without requiring complex reconfiguration procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger frame structure is designed to be universal, supporting both traditional contiguous resource allocation and the new distributed resource allocation schemes. The same trigger frame mechanism can indicate different types of resource allocations by simply modifying the bitmap configurations, allowing the system to handle multiple allocation scenarios without requiring separate signaling mechanisms for each case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4668647A1Transmission or reception method and device based on distributed resource unit in wireless LAN system
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4668647A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4668647A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4668647A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A transmission or reception method and device based on a distributed resource unit in a wireless LAN system are disclosed. A method performed by means of a first station (STA) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, may comprise the steps of: transmitting, to one or more second STAs, a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including a trigger frame, the trigger frame including a first field having one or more bitmaps related to a distributed resource unit (DRU); and receiving, from the one or more second STAs, a second PPDU triggered by the trigger frame. Each of the one or more bitmaps can have a bit size corresponding to the maximum channel size to which the DRU can be applied with respect to the second PPDU.