Coordinated AP TXOP Sharing Using Capability and Traffic Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional TXOP sharing schemes in wireless local area networks (WLANs) are associated with excessive signaling overhead, poor spectral efficiency, and delays due to APs being unaware of each other's capabilities and traffic demands, leading to inefficient resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing coordinated access point (CAP) operations where APs exchange CAP-related parameters, including static and dynamic capabilities and traffic information, to optimize TXOP sharing by scheduling based on priority and processing times, reducing signaling overhead and improving spectral efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional TXOP sharing schemes are used, then APs can share transmit opportunities, but signaling overhead increases and spectral efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTXOP sharing capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having APs exchange capability information and parameters before TXOP sharing occurs. The first AP receives indication of parameters corresponding to second APs including static capability parameters and dynamic parameters beforehand, allowing the system to prepare sharing arrangements in advance rather than negotiating in real-time, thus reducing signaling overhead during actual TXOP sharing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting sharing criteria based on received parameters from multiple APs. The system modifies TXOP sharing decisions according to capability parameters, traffic demands, and other dynamic information exchanged between APs, enabling adaptive resource allocation that optimizes spectral efficiency while managing signaling overhead through intelligent parameter-based decisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional TXOP sharing schemes are used, then APs can share transmit opportunities, but spectral efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTXOP sharing capabilityVSAvoidspectral efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by having APs exchange capability information and operational parameters with each other. The first AP receives indication of parameters from second APs including their capabilities and traffic demands, and uses this feedback information to make informed TXOP sharing decisions that optimize spectral efficiency by matching resources to actual network conditions and AP capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling flexible, adaptive TXOP sharing based on received parameter information. The system dynamically adjusts sharing arrangements according to capability parameters, traffic demands, and operational conditions of participating APs, allowing the network to optimize spectral efficiency in real-time rather than using fixed sharing schemes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional TXOP sharing schemes are used, then APs can share transmit opportunities, but delays increase due to lack of awareness of capabilities and traffic demands

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTXOP sharing capabilityVSAvoiddelay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having APs exchange capability information and parameters before TXOP sharing operations commence. The first AP receives indication of parameters including static capability parameters and dynamic parameters from second APs in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming discovery and negotiation during actual data transmission, thus reducing delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12593325B2Information exchanges for coordinated access point operations

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

This disclosure provides methods, components, devices, and systems that support information exchanges for coordinated access point (CAP) operations. Some aspects more specifically relate to transmitting and receiving CAP-specific parameters to facilitate transmit opportunity (TXOP) sharing between a first access point (AP) and one or more second APs. For example, the first AP (such as a sharing AP) may use CAP-specific parameters provided by the one or more second APs (such as shared APs) to determine a CAP sharing schedule for a TXOP. The CAP-specific parameters may include static capability parameters and dynamic parameters. The static capability parameters may include supported CAP modes, association identifiers (AIDs), and processing times, while the dynamic parameters may include medium access demands, traffic priority information, and service period information. The first AP may advertise the CAP sharing schedule to the one or more second APs via an announcement frame.