MU-MIMO Fairness Enforcement via Pathloss-Based Airtime Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In MU-MIMO wireless technology, existing scheduling algorithms can lead to unfair packet distribution among client devices, resulting in some devices being starved of packets, negatively impacting system performance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that calculates airtime values based on pathloss and other wireless metrics to control data submission to client devices, using token counts to limit or delay packet transmission to prevent unfairness, thereby indirectly managing the scheduling algorithms and ensuring fair airtime allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing scheduling algorithms are used in MU-MIMO deployments, then system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is maintained, but fairness among client devices deteriorates and some devices are starved of packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary fairness enforcement mechanism that sits between the existing scheduling algorithm and the actual packet transmission. This intermediary layer monitors airtime usage and pathloss values, then adjusts packet submission rates accordingly. The intermediary does not replace the existing scheduling algorithm but works alongside it to enforce fairness, thus maintaining operational simplicity while improving fairness metrics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where airtime values and pathloss measurements are continuously monitored and used to adjust packet submission rates. The fairness enforcement mechanism receives feedback about current transmission conditions and client device airtime usage, then dynamically adjusts scheduling decisions to maintain fairness. This feedback-driven approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions without increasing fundamental system complexity.
2Reliability
If data transmission rates are adjusted based on pathloss values to ensure fairness, then fairness among client devices is improved, but transmission efficiency and productivity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts packet submission rates based on real-time pathloss values and airtime measurements. Rather than using fixed rate limits, the fairness enforcement mechanism continuously adapts transmission rates to current channel conditions and fairness requirements. This dynamic adjustment ensures that fairness is maintained while maximizing overall system productivity under varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key transmission parameters (packet submission rates, airtime allocations) based on measured pathloss values and fairness metrics. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than using fixed values, the system achieves fair airtime allocation across clients with different channel conditions while maintaining high overall transmission efficiency. The parameter changes are made in response to measured conditions rather than arbitrarily.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions which, when executed by one or more hardware processors, causes performance of operations. The operations include: obtaining a first pathloss value for a first data transmitted between a first device and a second device; receiving, at a first component of the first device, a second data to be transmitted to the second device; based at least on the first pathloss value: selecting a first subset of the second data for transmission from the first component to a second component of the first device, where the second component is configured for causing transmission of the first subset of the second data to the second device; transmitting, during a first period of time from the first component to the second component, the first subset of the second data.