Access Point QoS Routing for Unified Hardware-Software Packet Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current QoS processing in access points (APs) results in low accuracy due to data packets being divided into hardware and software paths, leading to inefficient CPU resource utilization and degraded performance.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method where both hardware and software receiving ports receive data packets, perform pre-processing, and route them into a unified QoS module for joint processing, reducing CPU overhead and improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data packets are divided into hardware QoS path and software QoS path for independent processing, then the hardware QoS path can process packets in parallel, but the QoS processing accuracy decreases and CPU resources are insufficient for other AP operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata packet processing throughputVSAvoidQoS processing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the QoS processing into two distinct phases: pre-processing (performed by hardware modules to extract QoS parameters and classify packets) and main processing (performed by software to execute detailed QoS policies). This segmentation allows hardware to handle high-speed packet classification while software handles complex policy enforcement, resolving the contradiction between throughput and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a QoS information structure as an intermediary data format that carries QoS parameters from hardware pre-processing to software main processing. This intermediary enables seamless information transfer between hardware and software paths, allowing accurate QoS decision-making without requiring all packets to traverse the CPU-intensive software path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If all data packets are processed through the software QoS path, then QoS processing accuracy improves, but CPU resources are excessively consumed and AP performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveQoS processing accuracyVSAvoidCPU resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having hardware perform only the essential pre-processing functions (packet classification and QoS parameter extraction) rather than complete QoS processing. This partial hardware involvement reduces CPU burden while maintaining sufficient accuracy for most packets, reserving full software processing only for complex cases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes hardware modules for CPU-based processing in the pre-processing stage. Hardware accelerators or dedicated ASICs perform packet classification and QoS parameter extraction, replacing what would otherwise require significant CPU resources, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining processing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If hardware QoS path is used for high-speed processing, then data transmission efficiency improves, but the number of packets that can pass through is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidpacket handling capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal QoS processing architecture where the hardware pre-processing module serves multiple functions: it prepares packets for both hardware and software QoS paths, handles different packet types, and works with various QoS protocols. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle diverse packet streams through a single hardware interface, increasing overall capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4697794A1Data transmission method and access point

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 TP-LINK SYSTEMS INC

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AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for data transmission and an access point (AP) for performing this method. The method includes receiving, by a hardware receiving port and a software receiving port, a first set of data packets and a second set of data packets, respectively; performing, by a hardware pre-processing module and a software pre-processing module, QoS related pre-processing on the first set of data packets and the second set of data packets, respectively; forwarding the pre-processed first set of data packets and the pre-processed second set of data packets to a selected QoS module, wherein the selected QoS module is one of a hardware QoS module and a software QoS module; and for each pre-processed data packet of the pre-processed first set of data packets and the pre-processed second set of data packets, performing, by the selected QoS module, QoS processing on the pre-processed data packet.