Dynamic TXOP Preemption Structure for Low-Latency Event Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless technologies face challenges in reducing latency for stations (STAs) with event-triggered data exchange, as exclusive channel access by a STA can lead to delays in transmitting high-priority traffic for other STAs.

Innovation Solution

Mechanisms for dynamically structuring transmission opportunity preemption opportunities (TXOPs) by defining sub-windows with traffic priority values, configuring parameters like sub-windows, bands, and inter-frame spaces, and adjusting based on notifications and collisions to allow efficient channel access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a STA holds a transmission opportunity (TXOP) with exclusive channel access, then transmission reliability for the holding STA is improved, but latency for other STAs with event-triggered traffic increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The TXOP is segmented into multiple sub-windows, each dedicated to specific priority levels. High-priority event-triggered traffic is allocated specific sub-windows where it can transmit without being blocked by lower-priority traffic, thus reducing latency while maintaining reliable transmission for all priority levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sub-windows within the TXOP are assigned different quality characteristics based on traffic priority. High-priority traffic receives guaranteed access in its designated sub-windows, while lower-priority traffic operates in other sub-windows, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction between reliability and latency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the TXOP duration is extended to accommodate more transmissions, then productivity of the channel is improved, but latency for high-priority event-triggered traffic increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel throughputVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The extended TXOP is divided into multiple sub-windows with different priority assignments. This segmentation allows the channel to maintain high productivity over the extended period while ensuring that high-priority traffic experiences low latency by being confined to specific early sub-windows

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The TXOP structure creates periodic opportunities for high-priority traffic within the extended transmission period. High-priority traffic can access the channel at regular intervals defined by the sub-window structure, maintaining low latency even as the overall TXOP duration increases to improve productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the TXOP structure is made rigid to simplify management, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to varying traffic conditions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveTXOP management simplicityVSAvoidtraffic condition adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The TXOP structure incorporates dynamic elements where the AP can adjust sub-window configurations, durations, and priority assignments based on real-time traffic conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to respond to varying traffic patterns while maintaining a structured framework that simplifies overall management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sub-window structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structured resource allocation, enables priority-based access, allows dynamic reconfiguration, and maintains simple AP-controlled management. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between operational simplicity and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4716349A1Mechanisms for dynamic structuring of transmission opportunity preemption opportunities
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4716349A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
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AI summary

Embodiments described herein may include: (i) determining, based on receiving one or more notifications about event-triggered traffic in a sub-window of a preemption opportunity (PO), that a threshold quantity of transmissions is available to be scheduled in a transmission period; (ii) terminating, based on the threshold being met or exceeded, the PO; (iii) structuring, based on at least one of a number, type, or amount of traffic buffered by stations (STAs), the PO via an initial actions (IA) frame at a beginning of the PO; (iv) transmitting, based on detecting one or more collisions in the sub-window, a frame informing one or more stations (STAs) about one or more new sub-windows and their corresponding structures; and (v) transmitting, based on a second threshold quantity of notifications about event-triggered traffic being received, a trigger frame (TF) prior to an end of the sub-window.