Coordinator Quiet Phase for Time-Sensitive Packet Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks using shared media face challenges in ensuring precise and timely transmissions due to collision avoidance techniques, which can result in variable and unpredictable latency.
Innovation Solution
A method where a coordinator device in the network transmits signals to follower devices to quiet their transmissions during specific time periods, allowing the coordinator to transmit time-sensitive packets with greater precision and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If collision avoidance techniques (PLCA) are used in shared media communication networks, then transmission reliability is improved by preventing collisions, but transmission latency becomes variable and unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The network transmission time is segmented into distinct phases: a PLCA phase for general data transmission with collision avoidance, and a quiet phase for time-sensitive transmissions without collisions. This segmentation allows different transmission requirements to be met in different time segments, resolving the contradiction between reliability and latency predictability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinator device preliminarily establishes a quiet phase schedule before time-sensitive transmissions occur. By pre-announcing quiet phases through beacon signals and quiet phase indicators, follower devices can prepare to refrain from transmitting, ensuring the medium is reserved for time-sensitive packets without collision and with predictable latency.
2Productivity
If follower devices transmit during every transmit opportunity in PLCA cycles, then network utilization is maximized, but time-sensitive packet transmission precision deteriorates due to unpredictable collisions and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The network operates with periodic PLCA cycles that include both regular transmit opportunities for general data and periodic quiet phases for time-sensitive transmissions. This periodic structure allows follower devices to transmit actively during most cycles (maintaining high utilization) while periodically refraining from transmission during quiet phases (ensuring precise time-sensitive packet delivery).
Solution Approach 2:
Different transmission qualities are applied to different time periods: during regular PLCA cycles, normal transmission protocols with collision avoidance are used for general data; during quiet phases, exclusive coordinator access is granted for time-sensitive packets. This local differentiation of transmission quality resolves the contradiction between overall network utilization and specific transmission precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the coordinator transmits beacon signals in every time cycle, then follower devices maintain synchronization, but network traffic increases reducing efficiency for time-sensitive packets
Solution Approach 1:
The coordinator transmits beacon signals with quiet phase indicators in advance of the quiet phases. This preliminary notification allows follower devices to synchronize their behavior (refrain from transmitting during quiet phases) without requiring continuous beacon signals during the quiet phases themselves, reducing unnecessary traffic while maintaining synchronization stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A coordinator communication device in a communication network determines that a time period is to begin during which only the coordinator communication device will have opportunities to transmit. The time period includes a plurality of time cycles, each time cycle i) beginning with the coordinator communication device transmitting a beacon signal and ii) including a transmit opportunity that follows the beacon signal. The transmit opportunity is for the coordinator communication device. The coordinator communication device transmits one or more signals to follower communication devices in the communication network to prompt the follower communication devices to refrain from transmitting during the time period. During one or more transmit opportunities of the time period, the coordinator communication device transmits one or more time-sensitive packets.