DSP Packet Synchronization with Polled Transmission Windows

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Solution Overview

Problem

In IEEE 802.11(e) wireless networks, voice packet transmission is delayed due to misalignment between packet production and transmission opportunities, leading to reduced voice quality as packets often arrive at the transmission device before the next available polling window, resulting in additional wait times.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that synchronize packet production with polled transmission opportunities by calculating and adjusting the wait time using a calculator and synchronizer, ensuring packets are transmitted at the next available window, thereby minimizing delay and improving voice quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If packet production and transmission are performed at fixed time slots with predetermined intervals, then the transmission timing is simplified and predictable, but the packets may arrive at the transmission device before the next available polling window, resulting in additional wait times and increased transmission delay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission timing simplicityVSAvoidpacket transmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures the actual propagation delay between DSP and transmission device, then uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the packet production timing at the DSP. The transmission device sends delay measurements back to the DSP, which then synchronizes its packet generation to account for the measured propagation time, ensuring packets arrive exactly at polling windows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates and applies the propagation delay compensation to the packet production timing. By measuring the delay once and then adjusting future packet generation times in advance, the system ensures that packets are produced at the DSP with built-in timing offset to arrive precisely at the transmission device's polling windows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the DSP and transmission device are separate physical modules not running synchronized clocks, then the system architecture is flexible and modular, but the lack of synchronized clocks causes misalignment between packet production and transmission opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem architecture flexibilityVSAvoidtiming alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission device measures the actual arrival time of packets and calculates the propagation delay, then sends this timing information back to the DSP. This feedback loop allows the two independently clocked modules to synchronize their operations without requiring hardware synchronization, maintaining architectural flexibility while achieving precise timing alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the timing parameter of packet production at the DSP based on the measured propagation delay. By dynamically adjusting the packet generation time offset according to the measured delay parameter, the system compensates for the lack of synchronized clocks and achieves precise timing alignment between separate modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7773639B2Synchronization of voice packet generation with transmission opportunities in a wireless network
Publication Date: 2010.08.10 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC
  • US7773639B2 patent drawing
  • US7773639B2 patent drawing
  • US7773639B2 patent drawing

AI summary

One embodiment of the present invention includes a method for synchronizing packet production and receipt from a digital signal processor (DSP) with polled transmission opportunities in an IEEE 802.11e network. The method comprises producing a packet via the DSP and transmitting the packet from the DSP to a transmission device at a time that is substantially synchronized with a next polled transmission opportunity granted by an access point in an IEEE 802.11(e) network. The method also comprises time stamping the arrival of the packet at the transmission device and transmitting the packet from the transmission device.