BSS Provision Period Scheduling for Low-Latency WLAN Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks struggle to provide low latency and reliable services for latency-sensitive applications due to contention for access to the wireless medium, which can lead to delays in delivering packets within the required latency budget.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a provision period before the service period to ensure timely access to the wireless medium for low latency reliable services by extending the transmission opportunity of the access point, allowing it to secure the medium and schedule transmissions during the service period exclusively for low latency traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stations contend for uplink access using traditional EDCA mechanisms, then the wireless medium is shared among multiple stations, but latency-sensitive packets cannot be guaranteed to be delivered within the required latency budget
Solution Approach 1:
The AP performs preliminary actions by announcing the LL SP starting time in advance (e.g., in beacon frames or TWT negotiation), allowing LL STAs to prepare and ensure they can access the medium exactly when needed. This preliminary scheduling eliminates contention delays and guarantees latency requirements are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless medium access is segmented into different types: contention-based access for non-LL traffic and scheduled contention-free access for LL traffic during LL SP. This segmentation allows LL packets to bypass contention delays and be delivered reliably within the required latency budget.
2Reliability
If the AP extends its transmission opportunity to include a provision period before the service period, then the AP can secure the wireless medium for low latency traffic, but the overall transmission duration is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The provision period serves as a preliminary action where the AP secures the medium in advance of the actual LL SP. This ensures that when the LL SP begins, the medium is already reserved and LL STAs can transmit immediately without contention, guaranteeing low latency delivery despite the extended overall duration.
3Productivity
If multiple stations transmit simultaneously during contention periods, then the wireless medium utilization is improved, but collisions and delays occur affecting low latency services
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission opportunity is segmented into a provision period where general contention occurs (maintaining medium utilization) and an LL SP where scheduled contention-free transmission occurs (eliminating delays). This segmentation allows simultaneous transmission benefits to be retained while protecting LL traffic from collisions and delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
To make effective the usage of network resources and timely handling of low latency traffic, and in particular IEEE 802.11 networks, it is described according to an aspect of the invention a method of communication comprising, at an access-point, AP: contending for access to a wireless medium, a provision period prior a start of a low latency, LL, service period, SP, dedicated for transmitting LL traffic; and upon gaining access to the wireless medium, reserving an AP transmission opportunity encompassing the LL SP, thereby allowing transmission of LL traffic during the LL SP.