Access Point Multi-Link Switching for Preemptive Low-Latency Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Wi-Fi systems face challenges in achieving ultra-low latency and high-reliability due to the duration of channel access procedures, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption when handling preemptive low latency traffic, often requiring suspension or splitting of ongoing data transmissions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a serving access point that switches ongoing traffic to a second radio channel or link via intra-AP Multi-Link Device (MLD) or inter-AP redirection, using link-level or AP-level redirection mechanisms to handle preemptive high-priority low latency traffic without impacting the transmission opportunity of the serving access point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If preemptive solutions suspend or split ongoing data transmissions to handle high-priority low latency traffic, then low latency requirement is improved, but transmission opportunity duration is extended and channel availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radio channel into multiple links (e.g., 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies) and divides traffic types into different queues with priority levels. This allows high-priority low latency traffic to be handled on separate links without blocking ongoing data transmissions on other links, thus reducing the extension of transmission opportunity duration while maintaining low latency performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multi-link dimension to the wireless communication system, allowing traffic to be routed across multiple frequency links simultaneously. By utilizing both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz links in parallel, the system can handle preemptive low latency traffic without extending the TXOP of ongoing transmissions on other links, effectively resolving the contradiction between latency reduction and channel availability.
2Loss of time
If preemptive solutions suspend or split ongoing data transmissions to handle high-priority low latency traffic, then low latency requirement is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic into different priority queues and assigns them to different links, allowing the system to maintain power efficiency by keeping the radio interface in lower power states during non-critical transmissions while rapidly switching to high-priority queues when low latency traffic appears, thus reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous suspension of ongoing transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic traffic classification and routing that adapts to real-time conditions. The system dynamically switches between links and adjusts transmission priorities based on current traffic patterns, enabling the system to minimize power consumption by only activating high-priority transmission paths when necessary, rather than continuously suspending ongoing data transmissions.
3Reliability
If existing channel access procedures are used to prevent collisions, then communication reliability is improved, but minimum latency is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel access mechanism into link-level and network-level procedures. At the link level, simplified access methods with reduced latency are used for high-priority traffic, while more robust collision avoidance procedures are applied at the network level for general data transmission, thus achieving both low latency and high reliability without being constrained by the minimum latency of traditional channel access procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different channel access characteristics to different traffic types and links. High-priority low latency traffic on dedicated links uses streamlined access procedures with minimal latency, while best-effort traffic uses more conservative collision avoidance mechanisms, allowing each traffic class to receive the appropriate level of reliability and latency performance locally without compromising overall system performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods include receiving an interrupt request from a second station at a serving access point while ongoing traffic of a first station in an active data session with serving access point on first radio channel or first link. The second station is associated with a pre-emptive higher priority LL traffic compared to the first station. The serving access point determines a second radio channel or the second link for handling ongoing traffic. The second radio channel or the second link is affiliated with an intra-AP MLD and offloading via LLR or affiliated with an inter-AP and offloading via AP level redirection. The serving access point switches the ongoing traffic from a first radio channel or first link to a second radio channel or second link, when the second radio channel or second link is available for handling the ongoing traffic.