A-PPDU Subframe Insertion for Low-Latency PHY Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently reducing physical layer latency, particularly in scenarios where low-latency traffic is delayed due to being overshadowed by non-low-latency traffic during transmission opportunities, leading to performance degradation and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a PPDU design that aggregates multiple PPDUs in both the time and frequency domains, with an A-PPDU header indicating low-latency traffic insertion points, allowing for the insertion of low-latency PPDU subframes at predefined intervals or segment boundaries, thereby reducing latency and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple PPDUs are aggregated in a time domain (A-PPDU) for efficient transmission, then transmission efficiency is improved, but latency-sensitive traffic experiences increased latency due to being overshadowed by non-latency-sensitive traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the A-PPDU structure into distinct portions: a first portion containing A-PPDU subframes for non-latency-sensitive traffic, and a second portion containing LL-PPDU subframes for latency-sensitive traffic. This segmentation allows the system to maintain aggregated transmission efficiency while providing dedicated low-latency pathways for time-critical data, resolving the contradiction between overall transmission efficiency and latency performance.
2Loss of time
If the system continuously monitors for low-latency traffic insertion opportunities, then latency reduction is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the receiving station monitor for LL-PPDU insertion opportunities at specific predetermined times (at the boundaries of A-PPDU subframes) rather than continuously. This periodic monitoring approach enables timely detection of low-latency traffic while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring, as the receiver can enter low-power states between monitoring intervals.
3Loss of time
If low-latency PPDU subframes are inserted into A-PPDU structure, then latency constraints are satisfied, but data loss occurs in the original A-PPDU sequence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves data loss by transitioning from a single-dimensional A-PPDU structure to a two-dimensional structure with distinct first and second portions. The LL-PPDU subframes are inserted in the second portion without disrupting the first portion containing the original A-PPDU subframes. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous transmission of both latency-sensitive and non-latency-sensitive traffic without data loss, as each portion maintains its integrity independently.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides methods, components, devices and systems for physical layer (PHY) latency reduction. Some aspects more specifically relate to PHY protocol data unit (PPDU) designs that support inserting low-latency traffic into a transmission opportunity (TXOP) occupied by non-low-latency traffic. In some implementations, during a TXOP, an access point (AP) may output an aggregated PPDU (A-PPDU) that is aggregated in a time domain and includes an A-PPDU header and one or more A-PPDU subframes. The AP may obtain, from an application layer, a low-latency PPDU (LL-PPDU) subframe and may insert the LL-PPDU subframe in place of at least one of the one or more A-PPDU subframes. The AP may output the LL-PPDU subframe during the TXOP. A wireless station (STA) receiving the A-PPDU header and the one or more A-PPDU subframes may detect the presence of the LL-PPDU subframe and may receive and decode the LL-PPDU subframe.