Derivative works — US Patent 11716171

Defensive Disclosure for US Patent 11716171

Date: April 26, 2026

Patent Title: Wireless communication terminal and wireless communication method for multi-user concurrent transmission
Patent Number: US11716171B2
Current Assignee: Wilus Institute of Standards and Technology Inc.

This Defensive Disclosure aims to establish prior art for derivative variations of the inventions described in US Patent 11716171B2, specifically focusing on Independent Claims 1 and 9. The objective is to render future incremental improvements by competitors "obvious" or "non-novel" by publicly disclosing these advanced concepts.

Derivative Variations for Core Claim 1 (Method Claim)

Claim 1: A wireless communication method of a base wireless communication terminal, comprising: transmitting a trigger frame triggering a multi-user uplink transmission of a plurality of terminals; receiving multi-user uplink data through resources allocated to the plurality of terminals; and transmitting a block ACK through the resources in response to the received multi-user uplink data; wherein the transmission of the block ACK in each resource is terminated at the same time.

1.1 Material & Component Substitution: Cognitive Radio with Dynamic Spectrum Access

Enabling Description:
The method is implemented using a cognitive radio base wireless communication terminal, where the transceiver dynamically senses and adapts to the spectral environment. Instead of fixed resources, the system employs a Software-Defined Radio (SDR) architecture with reconfigurable RF front-ends. The trigger frame is generated by a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based MAC controller, allowing for rapid reprogramming of frame structures and resource allocation algorithms. Uplink data reception leverages a massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna array (e.g., 64T64R) with digital beamforming, where each antenna element's signal path is managed by a dedicated Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) with high-speed serial links to the FPGA. The block ACK generation and synchronized termination are handled by a custom Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) integrated with the FPGA, ensuring nanosecond-level timing precision across dynamically assigned orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers, even when individual subcarriers are dynamically reallocated based on real-time interference patterns detected by the cognitive engine. The processing for signal detection, demodulation, and ACK formulation is accelerated by a dedicated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) cluster for parallel processing of multi-user data streams.

graph TD
    A[Cognitive Radio Base Terminal] --> B{SDR Transceiver};
    B --> C[FPGA MAC Controller];
    C --> D[Massive MIMO Array];
    D --> E[ADC/DAC Banks];
    E --> F[ASIC Block ACK Generator];
    F --> G[GPU Processing Cluster];
    G -- Control/Data --> C;
    C -- Trigger Frame --> H[Plurality of Terminals];
    H -- Uplink Data --> D;
    F -- Block ACK (Synchronized) --> H;

1.2 Operational Parameter Expansion: Terahertz (THz) Intra-Chip Communication with Femtosecond Timing

Enabling Description:
This derivative applies the method to ultra-short-range, high-bandwidth intra-chip communication at Terahertz (THz) frequencies (e.g., 0.1 THz to 10 THz band). The "base wireless communication terminal" is a central processing unit (CPU) or System-on-Chip (SoC) acting as a coordinator, and "terminals" are sub-cores, specialized accelerators, or memory modules within the same chip package. Resources are picosecond-duration time-frequency slots on plasmonic waveguides or on-chip antenna structures. The trigger frame is a femtosecond-duration pulse sequence encoded via Time-Domain Multiplexing (TDM) and Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) across THz carriers. Multi-user uplink data involves bursts of data (e.g., cache coherence messages, accelerator outputs) transmitted at several terabits per second. The block ACK is a precisely synchronized burst of optical or plasmonic signals, where active and passive termination mechanisms (e.g., tunable metamaterials or resonant cavities) are utilized to ensure all ACK transmissions across different intra-chip resources conclude within a few femtoseconds, despite varying propagation delays across the chip substrate. This extreme synchronization prevents internal bus contention and optimizes latency in highly parallel computing architectures.

sequenceDiagram
    participant CPU as Central Processing Unit (Base Terminal)
    participant ACC1 as Accelerator 1 (Terminal)
    participant ACC2 as Accelerator 2 (Terminal)
    participant MEM as Memory Module (Terminal)

    CPU->>ACC1: THz Trigger Frame (femtosecond pulse)
    CPU->>ACC2: THz Trigger Frame (femtosecond pulse)
    CPU->>MEM: THz Trigger Frame (femtosecond pulse)

    ACC1-->>CPU: Uplink Data Burst (THz)
    ACC2-->>CPU: Uplink Data Burst (THz)
    MEM-->>CPU: Uplink Data Burst (THz)

    Note over CPU: Receive Multi-User Uplink Data
    Note over CPU: Process & Generate Block ACKs

    CPU->>ACC1: THz Block ACK (femtosecond synchronized)
    CPU->>ACC2: THz Block ACK (femtosecond synchronized)
    CPU->>MEM: THz Block ACK (femtosecond synchronized)
    Note over CPU: All Block ACKs terminate at the same femtosecond.

1.3 Cross-Domain Application:

1.3.1 Autonomous Swarm Robotics in Harsh Environments

Enabling Description:
In an autonomous swarm robotics system operating in an underground mining environment (harsh environment), a central control robot (base wireless communication terminal) orchestrates data collection from multiple sensor-equipped exploration drones (terminals). The drones continuously transmit environmental data (gas levels, temperature, 3D mapping scans) as multi-user uplink data over a robust ultra-wideband (UWB) or acoustic communication link. The central robot initiates a synchronized data upload cycle by transmitting a UWB trigger frame, specifying allocated time-frequency hopping sequences (resources) for each drone. After receiving the diverse uplink data, the central robot transmits a block ACK through the same allocated resources. Crucially, the ACK termination across all drone communication links is synchronized to manage the swarm's collective data pipeline, allowing subsequent synchronized actions or reporting. This precise timing ensures that all drones can simultaneously prepare for the next data collection phase or acknowledge a command, which is vital for coordinated movement and rapid response to detected hazards in dynamic, obstructed environments. Error correction codes and redundancy are integrated into the ACK for robustness against environmental noise.

graph LR
    A[Central Control Robot] -- UWB Trigger Frame (Allocates Resources) --> B(Exploration Drone 1);
    A -- UWB Trigger Frame (Allocates Resources) --> C(Exploration Drone 2);
    A -- UWB Trigger Frame (Allocates Resources) --> D(Exploration Drone 3);
    B -- Uplink Data (Environmental) --> A;
    C -- Uplink Data (Environmental) --> A;
    D -- Uplink Data (Environmental) --> A;
    A -- Block ACK (Synchronized Termination) --> B;
    A -- Block ACK (Synchronized Termination) --> C;
    A -- Block ACK (Synchronized Termination) --> D;

1.3.2 Real-time Financial Transaction Validation Network

Enabling Description:
In a distributed financial transaction validation network, a central ledger node (base wireless communication terminal) coordinates real-time transaction updates from multiple client nodes (terminals) across a high-speed, low-latency private fiber optic network or dedicated wireless channels (e.g., millimeter-wave links). Each client node transmits proposed transaction blocks as multi-user uplink data. The central ledger node transmits a trigger frame to initiate a simultaneous submission window, with assigned time-division multiple access (TDMA) slots or wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) channels as resources. Upon receiving all transaction blocks, the central ledger node transmits a block ACK to all participating client nodes, confirming reception and preliminary validation status. The transmission of this block ACK is engineered to terminate simultaneously across all client node connections, using precise timing protocols and potentially optical padding or buffer flush mechanisms. This ensures that all client nodes receive validation confirmation concurrently, minimizing discrepancies and enabling synchronous updates to distributed ledgers or rapid consensus mechanisms critical for high-frequency trading and secure financial operations.

sequenceDiagram
    participant CLN as Central Ledger Node (Base Terminal)
    participant CN1 as Client Node 1 (Terminal)
    participant CN2 as Client Node 2 (Terminal)
    participant CN3 as Client Node 3 (Terminal)

    CLN->>CN1: Trigger Frame (Private Network)
    CLN->>CN2: Trigger Frame (Private Network)
    CLN->>CN3: Trigger Frame (Private Network)

    CN1-->>CLN: Transaction Block (Uplink Data)
    CN2-->>CLN: Transaction Block (Uplink Data)
    CN3-->>CLN: Transaction Block (Uplink Data)

    Note over CLN: Validate Transaction Blocks & Generate Block ACKs

    CLN->>CN1: Block ACK (Synchronized Termination)
    CLN->>CN2: Block ACK (Synchronized Termination)
    CLN->>CN3: Block ACK (Synchronized Termination)
    Note over CLN: All Block ACKs terminate precisely at the same time.

1.3.3 Large-Scale Environmental Sensor Grid for Climate Monitoring

Enabling Description:
For a large-scale environmental sensor grid deployed across a remote wilderness area for climate monitoring, a satellite uplink station (base wireless communication terminal) acts as the data aggregator. Hundreds of autonomous, low-power sensor nodes (terminals) scattered across the terrain collect meteorological, seismic, and hydrological data. These nodes communicate via a hybrid LoRaWAN/satellite uplink, with dedicated frequency channels or spread spectrum codes as resources. The satellite uplink station transmits a trigger frame over its downlink, instructing specific groups of sensor nodes to initiate multi-user uplink data transmission of their collected sensor readings. After receiving the diverse data packets, the satellite uplink station transmits a block ACK via its downlink to the respective sensor groups. The ACK transmission is meticulously synchronized to terminate simultaneously across all allocated LoRaWAN channels and satellite frequency bands, ensuring uniform acknowledgment of data reception. This synchronization is critical for managing the power cycles of the remote sensor nodes and for maintaining the integrity of time-series environmental data, allowing for coordinated sleep/wake cycles and minimizing data loss in highly distributed, asynchronous data collection scenarios.

stateDiagram-v2
    state "Idle" as Idle
    state "Triggering Uplink" as Triggering
    state "Receiving Uplink Data" as Receiving
    state "Transmitting Block ACK" as TransmittingACK

    Idle --> Triggering : AP sends Trigger Frame
    Triggering --> Receiving : Terminals send Uplink Data
    Receiving --> TransmittingACK : AP generates Block ACK
    TransmittingACK --> Idle : Block ACK Transmissions Terminate Synchronously

1.4 Integration with Emerging Tech: AI-Driven Multi-Layer Optimization with IoT and Blockchain Verification

Enabling Description:
This method integrates AI-driven optimization, IoT sensors for real-time monitoring, and blockchain for supply chain verification. The base wireless communication terminal's processor incorporates an AI/Machine Learning (ML) module, continuously analyzing IoT sensor data (e.g., RSSI, SINR, ambient noise, packet error rates from a local sensor network) to predict optimal resource allocation and ACK padding/duplication strategies. The trigger frame includes not only resource assignments but also dynamically adjusted padding parameters determined by the AI. When receiving multi-user uplink data from IoT devices (terminals) such as industrial asset trackers or smart factory sensors, the AI module processes the received data for anomaly detection and predicts future channel conditions. The block ACK, generated and transmitted by the base terminal, contains cryptographic hashes of the received IoT data packets. These hashes, along with timestamp and terminal ID, are immediately pushed to a permissioned blockchain network via an integrated secure element. The simultaneous termination of the block ACKs across all resources is crucial: it provides a synchronized "checkpoint" for the blockchain, where all acknowledgments are registered concurrently, enabling efficient verification of data integrity and provenance for regulatory compliance and audit trails in critical IoT applications. The AI also uses blockchain state information to further refine its resource scheduling.

flowchart TD
    subgraph Base Wireless Terminal
        A[IoT Sensors (Channel/Environment Monitoring)] --> B(AI/ML Module);
        B --> C{Processor: Trigger Frame Generator};
        C -- Dynamic Parameters --> D[Transceiver];
        D --> E[Plurality of IoT Terminals];
        E --> F[Transceiver];
        F --> G{Processor: Uplink Data Receiver};
        G --> H(AI/ML Module: Uplink Data Analysis);
        G --> I{Processor: Block ACK Generator};
        I -- Synchronized Termination --> J[Transceiver];
        J --> E;
        I --> K[Secure Element];
        K -- Cryptographic Hash --> L[Blockchain Network];
        L -- State Info --> B;
    end

1.5 The "Inverse" or Failure Mode: Graceful Degradation with Diagnostic Block ACKs

Enabling Description:
In a scenario where the base wireless communication terminal detects degradation in channel conditions or partial failure of uplink data reception from a subset of terminals, the system enters a graceful degradation mode. Instead of failing outright, the trigger frame includes a "diagnostic request" flag. Upon receiving multi-user uplink data, if some data packets are corrupted or missing, the base terminal's processor generates a block ACK that still terminates simultaneously across all resources. However, for resources where data reception was problematic, the block ACK's padding mechanism is utilized to embed specific diagnostic codes (e.g., "Partial Reception - Re-transmit Sequence X-Y," "CRC Mismatch," "Resource Contention Detected"). This diagnostic information is inserted as structured padding data rather than simple zero-padding. The duplicated ACK information, if used for padding, can also be tailored to indicate the specific status of different segments of a larger data block. This allows terminals to receive immediate, synchronized feedback on the status of their transmissions, even if incomplete. Terminals experiencing issues can then intelligently retransmit only the problematic segments or switch to a lower data rate, while successfully transmitting terminals can proceed, preventing a single point of failure from crippling the entire multi-user uplink session. This "limited-functionality" mode prioritizes system resilience and diagnostic transparency over peak throughput.

stateDiagram-v2
    state "Normal Operation" as Normal
    state "Degraded Mode" as Degraded

    Normal --> Degraded : Channel Degradation Detected OR Partial Uplink Failure
    Degraded --> "Transmitting Block ACK with Diagnostics" : Base Terminal Generates Diagnostic ACK
    "Transmitting Block ACK with Diagnostics" --> Degraded : Terminals Re-evaluate/Retransmit
    "Transmitting Block ACK with Diagnostics" --> Normal : Channel Conditions Improve AND Full Reception

    state "Transmitting Block ACK with Diagnostics" {
        state "Synchronized Termination" as SyncTerm
        state "Embedded Diagnostic Codes" as DiagCodes
        state "Partial Reception Indicators" as PartialRec

        SyncTerm --> DiagCodes
        DiagCodes --> PartialRec
        PartialRec --> SyncTerm
    }

Derivative Variations for Core Claim 9 (Apparatus Claim)

Claim 9: A base wireless communication terminal, including: a transceiver configured to transmit and receive a wireless signal; and a processor configured to control an operation of the base wireless communication terminal, wherein the processor transmits a trigger frame triggering a multi-user uplink transmission of a plurality of terminals, receives multi-user uplink data through resources allocated to the plurality of terminals, and transmits a block ACK through the resources in response to the received multi-user uplink data, wherein the transmission of the block ACK in each resource is terminated at the same time.

2.1 Material & Component Substitution: GaN HEMT-based Transceiver with Quantum Processor

Enabling Description:
The base wireless communication terminal's transceiver utilizes Gallium Nitride (GaN) High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs) for its power amplifiers and low-noise amplifiers, enabling significantly higher power efficiency and linearity across a wider frequency range (e.g., 20-100 GHz). The processor is a hybrid architecture, combining a classical RISC-V CPU for general control with a quantum processing unit (QPU) for optimizing resource allocation and ACK synchronization. The QPU, using superconducting transmon qubits, runs quantum annealing algorithms to solve the complex optimization problem of minimal latency and maximal throughput multi-user scheduling, especially when dealing with highly dynamic channel conditions and varying data lengths from a large number of terminals. The trigger frame generation and encoding are offloaded to a specialized Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) within the processor, accelerating the encoding of complex modulation schemes. The block ACK transmission path incorporates a high-speed photonic switch matrix to ensure that the GaN HEMT-based RF chains for each resource are precisely activated and deactivated, with femtosecond timing control, allowing for ultra-accurate simultaneous termination of the block ACKs. This hardware-accelerated, quantum-optimized approach achieves unprecedented synchronization precision and adaptive resource management.

classDiagram
    class Base_Terminal {
        +GaN_HEMT_Transceiver transceiver
        +Hybrid_Processor processor
    }
    class GaN_HEMT_Transceiver {
        +RF_Front_End GaN_PA
        +RF_Front_End GaN_LNA
        +Photonic_Switch_Matrix optical_switch
        +Tx_Rx_Chains[] radio_chains
    }
    class Hybrid_Processor {
        +RISC_V_CPU cpu
        +Quantum_Processing_Unit qpu
        +Tensor_Processing_Unit tpu
        +Memory_Controller mem_ctrl
        +DMA_Engine dma
    }
    Base_Terminal "1" *-- "1" GaN_HEMT_Transceiver : contains
    Base_Terminal "1" *-- "1" Hybrid_Processor : contains
    Hybrid_Processor --|> GaN_HEMT_Transceiver : controls
    Hybrid_Processor --|> GaN_HEMT_Transceiver : data_flow

2.2 Operational Parameter Expansion: Extreme Low-Power Satellite Gateway for Deep Space Communication

Enabling Description:
The base wireless communication terminal is an extreme low-power satellite gateway designed for deep space communication (e.g., Mars orbiters communicating with planetary surface assets). Its transceiver is optimized for operation at cryogenic temperatures (e.g., 4K) to minimize thermal noise, utilizing superconducting components for minimal power consumption and maximum signal-to-noise ratio over vast distances. The processor is a radiation-hardened System-on-Chip (SoC) operating at sub-mW power levels, employing advanced power gating and dynamic voltage/frequency scaling (DVFS) techniques. Multi-user uplink data is received from multiple deep-space probes or landers, each transmitting sporadically due to power constraints and communication windows. The trigger frame is designed for robust transmission, possibly using spread spectrum or optical communication, ensuring it reaches terminals despite interstellar dust or atmospheric interference. The block ACK generation and synchronized termination are critical for resource management in such constrained environments. Padding of ACKs is performed by transitioning a low-power digital signal processor (DSP) to a minimal activity state, emitting null symbols with carefully timed cessation of RF emission, thereby conserving every microjoule of energy. The synchronized termination mechanism accounts for relativistic effects and varying propagation delays across astronomical distances, using highly stable atomic clocks and predictive algorithms for precise timing.

sequenceDiagram
    participant SG as Satellite Gateway (Base Terminal)
    participant DP1 as Deep Space Probe 1 (Terminal)
    participant DP2 as Deep Space Probe 2 (Terminal)
    participant DP3 as Deep Space Probe 3 (Terminal)

    SG->>DP1: Low-Power Trigger Frame (Deep Space Link)
    SG->>DP2: Low-Power Trigger Frame (Deep Space Link)
    SG->>DP3: Low-Power Trigger Frame (Deep Space Link)

    DP1-->>SG: Uplink Data (Intermittent)
    DP2-->>SG: Uplink Data (Intermittent)
    DP3-->>SG: Uplink Data (Intermittent)

    Note over SG: Radiation-hardened Processor processes data
    Note over SG: Generates Block ACKs with Energy-Saving Padding

    SG->>DP1: Low-Power Block ACK (Synchronized, Cryogenic)
    SG->>DP2: Low-Power Block ACK (Synchronized, Cryogenic)
    SG->>DP3: Low-Power Block ACK (Synchronized, Cryogenic)
    Note over SG: ACK termination aligned, accounting for relativistic delays.

2.3 Cross-Domain Application:

2.3.1 Smart Road Infrastructure for Connected Vehicles

Enabling Description:
A smart road infrastructure unit (base wireless communication terminal) deployed at an intersection or highway segment. Its transceiver is a Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication module operating on Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) or C-V2X protocols, equipped with beamforming antennas to track multiple vehicles. The processor, an automotive-grade embedded system, is hardened against environmental extremes and cyber threats. This unit transmits trigger frames to clusters of connected vehicles (terminals) entering its range, initiating multi-user uplink transmissions of real-time sensor data (speed, trajectory, braking events, intent signals). The received multi-user uplink data allows the infrastructure unit to construct a dynamic, high-resolution view of traffic. In response, the processor transmits block ACKs back to the vehicles. The simultaneous termination of these block ACKs across different DSRC/C-V2X channels is crucial for coordinated traffic management, enabling the system to reliably signal "all clear" for the next group of vehicles or to broadcast synchronized advisories (e.g., synchronized traffic light changes, collision warnings) with minimal latency and high integrity across the vehicle cluster.

classDiagram
    class Smart_Road_Unit {
        +V2I_Transceiver transceiver
        +Automotive_Processor processor
    }
    class V2I_Transceiver {
        +Beamforming_Antennas antennas
        +DSRC_C_V2X_Modem modem
        +RF_Shielding shielding
    }
    class Automotive_Processor {
        +Embedded_CPU cpu
        +Hardware_Security_Module hsm
        +Real_Time_OS rtos
        +GNSS_Receiver gnss
    }
    Smart_Road_Unit "1" *-- "1" V2I_Transceiver : contains
    Smart_Road_Unit "1" *-- "1" Automotive_Processor : contains
    Automotive_Processor --|> V2I_Transceiver : controls
    Automotive_Processor --|> V2I_Transceiver : data_flow

2.3.2 Subterranean Geotechnical Monitoring Hub

Enabling Description:
A subterranean geotechnical monitoring hub (base wireless communication terminal) designed for long-term deployment in boreholes or tunnels to monitor geological stability (e.g., near fault lines or in mining operations). Its transceiver employs acoustic telemetry or very low frequency (VLF) radio to penetrate rock and soil, operating with robust error correction and adaptive modulation. The processor is a ruggedized, self-powered (e.g., geothermal or kinetic energy harvesting) embedded system with deep-learning capabilities for anomaly detection. This hub transmits trigger frames to arrays of distributed seismic, strain, and tilt sensors (terminals) embedded in the surrounding strata, initiating multi-user uplink data transmissions of their raw measurement streams. The hub's processor collects and preprocesses this geotechnical data. It then transmits a block ACK back to the sensor arrays. The synchronized termination of these block ACKs across disparate acoustic or VLF channels is vital for maintaining the temporal coherence of the distributed sensor network, ensuring that all sensors acknowledge successful data offload simultaneously before entering deep sleep modes or adjusting their sampling rates. This allows for precise, synchronized analysis of geological events and predictive modeling of subterranean changes.

graph TD
    A[Geotechnical Monitoring Hub] --> B{Acoustic/VLF Transceiver};
    B --> C[Ruggedized Processor];
    C -- Trigger Frame --> D[Seismic Sensor Array];
    C -- Trigger Frame --> E[Strain Sensor Array];
    C -- Trigger Frame --> F[Tilt Sensor Array];
    D -- Uplink Data --> B;
    E -- Uplink Data --> B;
    F -- Uplink Data --> B;
    B -- Block ACK (Synchronized) --> D;
    B -- Block ACK (Synchronized) --> E;
    B -- Block ACK (Synchronized) --> F;

2.3.3 Marine Bioacoustic Research Platform

Enabling Description:
A marine bioacoustic research platform (base wireless communication terminal) deployed on the ocean floor, serving as a data collection point for an array of underwater hydrophones and environmental sensors (terminals). The platform's transceiver utilizes advanced underwater acoustic modems capable of multi-user communication, potentially using Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) over acoustic waves, adapted for varying ocean conditions (temperature, salinity, pressure). The processor is a low-power, corrosion-resistant embedded system, optimized for real-time processing of acoustic signatures and environmental parameters. The platform transmits trigger frames via acoustic pulses, commanding synchronized multi-user uplink data transmission of hydrophone recordings (e.g., whale vocalizations, seismic activity) and water quality measurements from the distributed sensor array. After receiving these diverse acoustic and environmental data streams, the processor transmits a block ACK through the acoustic medium to the array. The precise simultaneous termination of these acoustic block ACKs is essential for maintaining the temporal alignment of collected bioacoustic data, ensuring all sensors acknowledge reception concurrently. This synchronized feedback is critical for reconstructing spatial sound fields, correlating environmental events, and managing the power cycles of the remote, battery-constrained underwater sensors.

stateDiagram-v2
    state "Platform_Idle" as Idle
    state "Send_Acoustic_Trigger" as Trigger
    state "Receive_Acoustic_Uplink" as Uplink
    state "Transmit_Acoustic_BlockACK" as ACK

    Idle --> Trigger : Initiate Data Collection
    Trigger --> Uplink : Hydrophones send data
    Uplink --> ACK : Process & Generate ACK
    ACK --> Idle : Block ACK Terminated Synchronously

2.4 Integration with Emerging Tech: Edge AI with Distributed Ledger and Digital Twin Synchronization

Enabling Description:
The base wireless communication terminal is an Edge AI gateway. Its transceiver integrates multiple radio interfaces (e.g., 5G mmWave, Wi-Fi 7, LoRa) controlled by a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) for dynamic signal shaping. The processor is an Edge AI System-on-Chip (SoC) featuring dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) for local inference. This processor transmits AI-optimized trigger frames, dynamically selecting resources based on predicted traffic patterns and channel conditions (inferred by the NPU). It receives multi-user uplink data from numerous IoT sensors (terminals) which are part of a digital twin environment (e.g., real-time status of manufacturing robots, smart grid components). Each data packet includes metadata signed by the sending IoT device and a cryptographic hash. Upon receiving the data, the Edge AI processor performs real-time anomaly detection and predictive maintenance inferences using its NPU. It then generates block ACKs, which are simultaneously terminated across all resources. These ACKs contain the original data hashes, the AI's inference results, and are immediately written to a distributed ledger technology (DLT) framework (e.g., Hyperledger Fabric) for immutable record-keeping and auditable data provenance. Furthermore, the synchronized ACK termination acts as a consensus point for updating the digital twin, ensuring that the virtual representation remains synchronized with the physical assets in real-time.

flowchart LR
    subgraph Edge AI Gateway (Base Terminal)
        A[Multiple Radio Interfaces] -- RIS-controlled --> B(Edge AI SoC Processor);
        B --> C[NPU (AI Inference)];
        B --> D[DLT/Blockchain Client];
        B --> E[Digital Twin Synchronizer];
        F[IoT Sensors (Terminals)] -- Uplink Data + Metadata/Hash --> A;
        B -- Transmit Trigger Frame --> F;
        B -- Transmit Block ACK (Synchronized + AI Inference + DLT Update) --> F;
        D -- Immutable Record --> G[Distributed Ledger Network];
        E -- Update --> H[Digital Twin Platform];
    end

2.5 The "Inverse" or Failure Mode: Fail-Safe Redundant System with Low-Power Diagnostic Mode

Enabling Description:
The base wireless communication terminal is designed as a fail-safe redundant system, incorporating dual, spatially diverse transceivers and a fault-tolerant processor cluster (e.g., Triple Modular Redundancy - TMR). In its primary operation, it functions as described in Claim 9. However, upon detection of a critical fault (e.g., power supply degradation, transceiver module failure, excessive error rate on primary channel), the terminal automatically transitions into a "low-power diagnostic mode." In this mode, one transceiver is deactivated to save power, and the remaining active transceiver operates at minimal transmission power, possibly utilizing only a single, robust, narrowband resource. The processor cluster downclocks to its lowest operational frequency, and non-critical functionalities are suspended. The trigger frame transmitted in this mode is a simplified, highly robust "diagnostic trigger frame" indicating the degraded state and requesting minimal diagnostic uplink data (e.g., simple "heartbeat" signals, battery status, local sensor readings). The received multi-user uplink data (now primarily diagnostic information) is processed by a single, critical processor core. The block ACK is still transmitted with simultaneous termination, but instead of containing full data acknowledgments, it includes specific "fail-safe status codes" and redundant diagnostic reports (e.g., "Partial Functionality - Primary TX Offline," "Battery Critical - Low Power Mode Active"). Padding is not for data length matching but is explicitly structured to transmit repeating diagnostic patterns, ensuring that even under severe degradation, terminals receive consistent, synchronized feedback about the base terminal's operational status and can adjust their own behavior accordingly (e.g., enter low-power listening, cease high-bandwidth transmissions).

stateDiagram-v2
    state "Operational" as Operational
    state "Low_Power_Diagnostic_Mode" as Diagnostic

    Operational --> Diagnostic : Fault Detected [Power, Transceiver, Errors]
    Diagnostic --> Operational : Fault Resolved AND System Self-Checks Pass

    state Operational {
        state "Full_Functionality" as Full
        Full --> Full : Normal Operation
    }

    state Low_Power_Diagnostic_Mode {
        state "Single_Transceiver_Active" as SingleTX
        state "Processor_Downclocked" as ProcDC
        state "Diagnostic_Trigger_Frame" as DiagTF
        state "Receive_Diagnostic_Uplink" as RecDiagUL
        state "Transmit_Fail_Safe_Block_ACK" as TransmitFSACK

        [*] --> SingleTX
        SingleTX --> ProcDC
        ProcDC --> DiagTF : Transmit Trigger Frame
        DiagTF --> RecDiagUL : Receive Diagnostic Data
        RecDiagUL --> TransmitFSACK : Generate Fail-Safe ACK
        TransmitFSACK --> SingleTX : Synchronized Termination with Diagnostic Padding
    }

Combination Prior Art Scenarios

Here are at least 3 "Combination Prior Art" scenarios where the teachings of US Patent 11716171B2 can be combined with existing open-source standards to demonstrate obviousness or lack of novelty for certain improvements:

US11716171B2 + IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) OFDMA:
- Description: IEEE 802.11ax, a widely adopted open standard, explicitly introduces Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) for both downlink and uplink transmissions in Wi-Fi networks. This allows an Access Point (AP) (the "base wireless communication terminal") to allocate different Resource Units (RUs, analogous to "resources") to multiple Stations (STAs, the "plurality of terminals") for simultaneous uplink transmission. The 802.11ax standard also defines Trigger Frames for coordinating uplink OFDMA transmissions and Block Acknowledgments (BA) for acknowledging multiple received packets.
- Combination: It would be obvious to a person skilled in the art, when implementing an 802.11ax AP, to ensure that the Block ACK transmissions issued in response to multi-user uplink OFDMA data, especially when sent back over the same allocated RUs, are coordinated to terminate simultaneously. This ensures efficient channel utilization and predictable medium access control (MAC) behavior, preventing earlier-finishing ACKs from prematurely freeing up channels for other contending devices, thereby minimizing interference and maximizing throughput, which are primary goals of 802.11ax. The padding or duplicated ACK information described in US11716171B2 would be an obvious mechanism to achieve this synchronous termination within the 802.11ax BA frame structure, especially given variable lengths of individual ACKs for different STAs within an OFDMA burst. [cite: IEEE 802.11ax standard specification]
US11716171B2 + 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR) Uplink Multi-User MIMO/OFDMA with HARQ:
- Description: The 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR) standard defines advanced uplink multi-user capabilities, including multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) and OFDMA, where a gNodeB (the "base wireless communication terminal") schedules multiple User Equipment (UEs, the "plurality of terminals") to transmit data simultaneously over allocated Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) resources. 5G NR heavily relies on Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) for error recovery, which involves sending Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) feedback. While 5G NR uses specific HARQ-ACK procedures, the underlying principle of coordinating acknowledgments for multi-user transmissions is inherent.
- Combination: Given the latency and throughput requirements of 5G NR, it would be an obvious design choice for a gNodeB to ensure that HARQ-ACK feedback, particularly when transmitted in a block-like fashion for multiple UEs and/or multiple transport blocks within a single slot, is synchronized to terminate at the same time across the various frequency/time resources allocated. This avoids premature resource release in a highly dynamic scheduling environment and maintains the integrity of the scheduling grant. The mechanisms of padding or inserting duplicated ACK information, as described in US11716171B2, could be directly applied to 5G NR HARQ-ACK feedback segments to achieve this synchronous termination, especially when the gNodeB aggregates acknowledgments for multiple UEs or multiple data units, which is a common practice for signaling efficiency. [cite: 3GPP TS 38.213, TS 38.321 specifications]
US11716171B2 + LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) Class B/C with Adaptive Data Rate:
- Description: LoRaWAN is an open-source LPWAN (Low-Power Wide Area Network) specification for IoT devices. Class B and Class C devices allow for downlink communications initiated by the network server (the "base wireless communication terminal") or continuous listening, respectively. Gateways receive uplink transmissions from multiple end-devices (the "plurality of terminals"). While LoRaWAN doesn't explicitly define "trigger frames" in the same way as Wi-Fi, a network server can send a MAC command (e.g., a "time synchronization" or "data request" command) which can trigger coordinated uplink responses from multiple devices. Downlink acknowledgments are typically individual.
- Combination: For applications requiring stricter synchronization or more efficient use of limited downlink airtime in LoRaWAN (e.g., industrial IoT for synchronized sensor readings across a large area), it would be obvious to extend the concept of a "trigger frame" (as a MAC command or a dedicated downlink message) to orchestrate multi-user uplink data from multiple LoRa end-devices. Furthermore, to optimize downlink channel usage and device sleep cycles, a network server could implement a "block ACK" mechanism, possibly grouping acknowledgments for multiple uplink messages. To further enhance efficiency and predictability in the shared LoRa spectrum, a person skilled in the art would find it obvious to ensure that the transmission of such a "block ACK" (or a composite acknowledgment frame) across different frequency channels or spreading factors (the "resources") terminates at the same time. This could involve padding the ACK frame for shorter responses to match the longest one, thereby providing a clear end-of-transmission signal for all participating devices, which is critical for managing intermittent listening windows in power-constrained LoRa devices. [cite: LoRaWAN Specification v1.0.4 or later]