Unavailability Schedule Sharing for Wi-Fi COEX Traffic Coordination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems lack mechanisms for devices to efficiently manage unavailability schedules due to coexistence events, leading to interference and latency issues in peer-to-peer communications, particularly in multi-link operations.
Innovation Solution
Devices establish and communicate unavailability schedules with peer devices through mechanisms that include requesting and sharing information about coexistence events, allowing for non-overlapping availability intervals and potential adjustments to these schedules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If devices establish unavailability schedules for coexistence events, then interference between peer-to-peer communications is reduced, but communication efficiency with the access point deteriorates during unavailability periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first STA notify the AP in advance about upcoming unavailability periods due to coexistence events. The AP receives this information ahead of time and can schedule its own transmissions during availability intervals when the STA is available, thereby preventing interference while maintaining communication efficiency during productive time windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication timeline into distinct availability intervals and unavailability intervals. During availability intervals, normal AP-STA communication occurs. During unavailability intervals, the STA is occupied with coexistence events. This segmentation allows the system to manage different communication needs at different times without interference.
2Reliability
If devices share unavailability schedule information with the access point, then coordination between peer-to-peer and infrastructure communications is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the access point as an intermediary to manage the complexity of coordination. Instead of requiring direct complex negotiations between peer STAs and the AP, the first STA simply notifies the AP of its unavailability schedule. The AP then handles the scheduling and coordination internally, acting as a mediator that simplifies the overall system complexity while maintaining reliable coordination.
3Loss of time
If the access point requests information about unavailability schedules, then traffic prioritization for latency-sensitive applications is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the AP request only the necessary information about unavailability schedules (such as timing and duration) rather than requiring complete detailed information about all coexistence events. This partial information request approach reduces communication overhead while still providing the AP with sufficient data to prioritize latency-sensitive traffic appropriately during available time windows.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a mechanism for an AP to request for information related to an unavailability schedule that has been set up with a STA. The information may enable the AP to inform or recommend the STA to change the unavailability schedule. A STA may establish an unavailability schedule with an AP. The STA is unavailable to communicate with the AP based on the unavailability schedule. The STA may receive from the AP a request for information related to the unavailability schedule. The request may solicit information on the traffic of a coexistence event between the STA and a second STA. The STA may transmit to the AP a response that provides characteristics of the unavailability schedule, such as the traffic of the coexistence event, based on the request. The STA may communicate with the AP during an availability interval that is non-overlapping with the unavailability schedule.