IP Verse

Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Information Storage Media For Variable Header Repetition In A Wireless Ofdm Network

Patent No. US10917272 (titled "Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Information Storage Media For Variable Header Repetition In A Wireless Ofdm Network") was filed by Ax Wireless Llc on Feb 3, 2020.

What is this patent about?

’272 is related to the field of wireless communication systems, specifically those employing Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) . OFDM is a technique used in modern communication standards like Wi-Fi and others, where data is transmitted over multiple parallel sub-carriers. A key challenge in such systems is ensuring reliable reception of the packet header, which contains crucial control information for decoding the payload.

The underlying idea behind ’272 is to improve the robustness of header transmission in OFDM systems by selectively repeating header information across multiple OFDM symbols. The system can dynamically switch between using a shorter header (transmitted over two OFDM symbols, each carrying different header bits) and a longer, more robust header (transmitted over four OFDM symbols, where the first two symbols repeat the same header bits, and the last two symbols repeat another set of header bits). This allows for a trade-off between overhead and reliability based on channel conditions or application requirements.

The claims of ’272 focus on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions for a wireless OFDM transceiver. These instructions enable the transceiver to generate and transmit two types of packets: one with a header split across two OFDM symbols, and another with a header split across four OFDM symbols, where the first two and last two symbols contain repeated information. The claims also cover the corresponding reception and demodulation process, including handling the reordering of bits in the repeated symbols.

In practice, a transmitter might choose to use the four-symbol header when communicating with a receiver experiencing poor signal quality, or when transmitting critical control information. The repetition of header bits in the four-symbol header increases the likelihood of correct reception, as the receiver can combine the information from multiple symbols to overcome noise or interference. The reordering of bits in the repeated symbols adds an extra layer of diversity, further improving robustness against channel impairments.

The key differentiation from prior approaches lies in the dynamic adaptation of the header length and the intelligent repetition of header bits. Traditional systems might use a fixed header length, which can be inefficient in good channel conditions or insufficient in poor conditions. By offering a flexible header structure, ’272 allows the system to optimize for both throughput and reliability, adapting to the specific needs of the communication link. The reordering of bits in the repeated symbols is also a novel approach to further enhance robustness.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the late 2000s when ’272 was filed, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) was commonly used in multi-user communication systems. At a time when these systems typically relied on frame-based transmission, reliably decoding the header, which contained crucial control information, was a non-trivial engineering constraint.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner approved the application because the prior art of record did not disclose the first header field (Figure 1 “(3)”) and the second header field (Figure 1 “(4)”) as claimed. The examiner considered all limitations and determined that the claims were not anticipated by or obvious in view of the prior art.

Claims

This patent contains 20 claims, with claims 1 and 11 being independent. The independent claims focus on non-transitory computer-readable information storage media storing instructions for wireless Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) communications, specifically generating and transmitting packet types with varying header field structures (claim 1) and receiving such packet types (claim 11). The dependent claims generally elaborate on and refine the features of the independent claims, such as diversity, supported applications/standards, channel bandwidths, and the number of OFDM symbols used.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
First header field
(Claim 1, Claim 11)		“The header contains important control information for the receiver to decode the payload properly, and also provides information about the packet length for virtual carrier sensing. Hence, it is essential to decode the header reliably. In G.9960, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and should be familiar to those skilled in the art, the header containing PHY H bits (header information block) is carried over one or two OFDM symbols (D=1 or 2), and within each symbol, multiple header information blocks are repeated over the entire frequency band.”A field within a first packet type that contains two parts: a first set of header bits and a second set of header bits, where the two sets are different.
First packet type
(Claim 1, Claim 11)		“Conventional multi-user communications system use frame-based (or packet-based) transmission to communication between two or more users over a shared channel based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)—(OFDM is also sometimes referred to as multicarrier modulation.) A packet is usually formed by a preamble, header, and payload, and transmitted using time-sharing or contention-based media access methods.”A packet type that includes a first header field comprising two parts, a first set of header bits and a second set of header bits, where the two sets are different.
Second header field
(Claim 1, Claim 11)		“The possibility of carrying more than PHY H bits in the header (H=1 or 2) is also under discussion as disclosed in the “G.hn: PHY-Frame Header Extension” article and in “G.hn: Extended PHY Frame Header,” ITU-T 5G15/Q4 09XC-119, July 2009, filed in the priority application and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.”A field within a second packet type that contains four parts: a first, second, third and fourth set of header bits. The first and second sets are the same, and the third and fourth sets are the same.
Second packet type
(Claim 1, Claim 11)		“Conventional multi-user communications system use frame-based (or packet-based) transmission to communication between two or more users over a shared channel based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)—(OFDM is also sometimes referred to as multicarrier modulation.) A packet is usually formed by a preamble, header, and payload, and transmitted using time-sharing or contention-based media access methods.”A packet type that includes a second header field comprising four parts, a first, second, third and fourth set of header bits. The first and second sets are the same, and the third and fourth sets are the same.
Wireless communication channel
(Claim 1, Claim 11)		“Conventional multi-user communications system use frame-based (or packet-based) transmission to communication between two or more users over a shared channel based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)—(OFDM is also sometimes referred to as multicarrier modulation.)”A channel for wireless communication.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
1:25-cv-00934Feb 21, 2025AX Wireless, LLC v. Vantiva SA et al
4:25-cv-00175Feb 20, 2025AX Wireless, LLC v. Sony Interactive Entertainment, Inc. et al
2:22-cv-00277Jul 22, 2022AX Wireless LLC v. Dell Inc. et al
2:22-cv-00279Jul 22, 2022AX Wireless LLC v. HP Inc.
2:22-cv-00280Jul 22, 2022AX Wireless LLC v. Lenovo Group Limited

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US10917272

AX WIRELESS LLC
Application Number
US16780589
Filing Date
Feb 3, 2020
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Aug 20, 2030
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents