Flow-Group QoS Information in Wireless PPDU Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in effectively communicating flow-group Quality of Service (QoS) information, which is crucial for ensuring synchronized and correlated data streams, especially in applications like Extended Reality (XR) where timing synchronization of different data types is critical.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a flow-group scheduling mechanism that includes setting and transmitting flow-group QoS information within the Aggregated Control (A-Ctrl) field of Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs), allowing for identification of traffic flows and synchronization requirements, enabling APs to efficiently schedule and forward MSDUs belonging to correlated flows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flow-group QoS information is communicated using existing wireless communication protocols, then communication between devices is maintained according to standard protocols, but the timing synchronization and correlation of data streams cannot be effectively ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming synchronizationVSAvoidflow-group QoS information communication
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the QoS information communication by introducing a new flow-group QoS field within the existing QoS control field structure. This allows specific flow-group timing correlation information to be extracted and communicated separately from general QoS parameters, enabling effective timing synchronization while maintaining protocol compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary flow-group identifier field that acts as a mediator between multiple traffic flows. This identifier enables the Access Point to recognize and group correlated flows, applying timing correlation rules to synchronize data streams from different flows while maintaining standard protocol operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple traffic flows are transmitted without flow-group scheduling, then communication flexibility is maintained, but synchronized data streams cannot be delivered with minimal latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata stream synchronization efficiencyVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing flow-group QoS information and timing correlation rules before data transmission occurs. The Access Point uses the flow-group identifier to pre-group correlated flows and pre-determine scheduling priorities, enabling synchronized data streams to be delivered with minimal latency when the actual transmission occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If existing QoS mechanisms are used without flow-group identification, then standard QoS handling is maintained, but correlated flows cannot be identified and synchronized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata stream correlationVSAvoidQoS information structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements the nested doll principle by embedding the flow-group QoS information within the existing QoS control field structure. The flow-group identifier is nested within the QoS information framework, allowing correlated flow identification and synchronization without creating a separate complex system, thus maintaining manageable device complexity while enabling reliable data stream correlation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4436132A1Apparatus, system, and method of communicating flow-group quality of service (QOS) information
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 INTEL CORP
  • EP4436132A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4436132A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4436132A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

For example, a wireless communication station (STA) may be configured to set flow-group Quality of Service (QoS) information corresponding to a Medium Access Control (MAC) Service Data Unit (MSDU) in a traffic flow belonging to a flow group including a plurality of traffic flows. For example, the flow-group QoS information corresponding to the MSDU may include a flow identifier (ID) to identify the traffic flow, a flow group ID to identify the flow group, and MSDU set information corresponding to an MSDU set including the MSDU. For example, the STA may be configured to transmit a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) including the MSDU, wherein the PPDU includes the flow-group QoS information corresponding to the MSDU.