Dynamic Multi-Link Queue Mapping for Wi-Fi 7 Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
New wireless standards like Wi-Fi 7 and 5G Rel. 16 introduce multi-link transmissions, but stations often lack knowledge of which links will be available for transmission, leading to suboptimal performance due to out-of-order packet errors and latency in queueing operations.
Innovation Solution
A transmitter architecture that allows for dynamic mapping and routing of queued packets to specific links at transmission time, enabling immediate re-routing of failed packets across multiple links, thereby optimizing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If packets are queued for transmission on specific links in advance, then transmission organization is improved, but performance deteriorates due to out-of-order packet errors and latency when link availability is unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link mapping where transmit queues are not permanently assigned to specific links but are dynamically mapped to available links at transmission time. The MAC circuitry receives indications of link availability and dynamically determines which queue transmits on which link, allowing the system to adapt to changing link conditions while maintaining organized transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary packet queuing in a unified transmit queue before link assignment. Packets are organized and prepared in advance in the queue, but their specific link assignment is deferred until transmission time when link availability is known. This separates the packet organization phase from the link assignment phase, resolving the contradiction between early organization and performance.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If transmit queues are enlarged to store more packets, then transmission continuity is improved, but power consumption increases and low-power mode entry is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission function into two parts: a small unified transmit queue for holding packets and MAC circuitry for managing transmission. This segmentation allows the queue to remain small (reducing power consumption) while the MAC circuitry efficiently manages link selection and retransmissions (maintaining transmission continuity). The host processor can enter low-power mode while the MAC circuitry continues managing transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The MAC circuitry acts as an intermediary between the small transmit queue and the multiple links. It receives packets from the queue, determines link availability, and manages transmission and retransmissions. This intermediary role allows the system to maintain continuity with a small queue by offloading the continuity management function to the MAC circuitry rather than requiring large queue buffers.
3Device complexity
If fixed mapping between transmit queues and links is used, then queue management is simplified, but adaptability to link availability changes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link mapping where the mapping between transmit queues and links is not fixed but changes based on link availability. The MAC circuitry receives indications of which links are available and dynamically determines the mapping at transmission time. This dynamic approach maintains simplicity by using a unified queue while achieving adaptability through runtime link selection.
4Reliability
If retransmission of failed packets waits for next transmission opportunity, then transmission reliability is maintained, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of link availability before transmission. The MAC circuitry receives indications of which links will be available and pre-plans the transmission and retransmission strategy. When a packet fails on one link, the system can immediately retransmit on a different link that was pre-identified as available, rather than waiting for the next transmission opportunity on the original link. This preliminary planning reduces retransmission latency while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-link device (MLD) apparatus, including at least two transmission queues and first medium access control (MAC) circuitry and second MAC circuitry. The first MAC circuitry and the second MAC circuitry can transmit data of the at least two transmission queues over respective links responsive to receiving a trigger indicating that a transmission opportunity (TXOP) is available on the link corresponding to the respective first MAC circuitry and second MAC circuitry.