MAPC Coordination for Extended Peer-to-Peer Wi-Fi TxOPs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited transmission opportunity (TxOP) allocated for peer-to-peer (P2P) communication in Wi-Fi networks restricts data burst size and throughput due to fragmented structures interleaved with downlink and uplink transmissions, failing to support high-bandwidth applications like VR content streaming and screen casting.
Innovation Solution
A Multi-Access Point Coordination (MAPC) framework coordinates transmission opportunities across multiple access points (APs) through synchronized inter-AP coordination, allowing for extended and contiguous P2P TxOPs by sharing time, frequency, and spatial resources, and using inter-AP coordination protocols to align TxOP schedules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If P2P transmission opportunities are allocated within the contention-based channel access mechanism, then downlink and uplink transmissions between AP and stations can proceed, but the P2P TxOP duration is restricted and fragmented, limiting data burst size and throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transmission opportunities from multiple access points into a single extended contiguous P2P TxOP. By coordinating between multiple APs and merging their individual TxOP allocations, the system creates a unified extended transmission window that eliminates fragmentation and enables larger data bursts for P2P communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional (single AP) TxOP allocation to a multi-dimensional approach by involving multiple APs in coordinating and extending the P2P TxOP. This dimensional expansion allows the system to overcome the limitations of individual AP resource constraints and create longer contiguous transmission opportunities.
2Ease of operation
If multiple access points operate independently with their own TxOP schedules, then each AP can manage its own transmissions, but interference and contention occur between neighboring APs on the same channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where APs exchange information about their TxOP schedules and channel usage. This feedback loop enables coordinating APs to align their transmission opportunities, adjust schedules to avoid conflicts, and maintain synchronized operation that eliminates interference while preserving autonomous management capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Network devices in a wireless deployment may operate on a plurality of different wireless channels. These network devices may also be configured to be in communication with one or more peer-to-peer devices. These peer-to-peer devices may operate on similar wireless channels as the local access points that are serving the end user devices that are connected to the peer-to-peer devices. While various steps can be taken to select peer-to-peer wireless channels that are different from the channel that is servicing the end user devices, these steps may not be configured to account for neighboring AP wireless channels, Thus, as wireless networks become denser, the chances of peer-to-peer wireless channel communications conflicting with nearby access points can increase. Embodiments described herein allow for the configuration of extended or otherwise modified transmission opportunities that are synchronized between multiple access points through a coordinating device, such as a multi-access point coordination (MAPC) device.