Multi-AP Coordination via Propagation Delay Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in achieving low latency and high reliability, especially in environments requiring real-time applications like gaming and industrial automation, due to propagation delays in multi-access point (AP) coordination, which affect the synchronization and timing of data transmission between APs and station devices.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced multi-AP coordination system that implements a three-phase protocol to compensate for propagation delays by estimating and storing delay information, allowing coordinated APs to transmit data simultaneously, thereby improving downlink performance and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple APs coordinate data transmission without delay compensation, then device coverage and signal reliability are improved, but transmission synchronization and timing precision deteriorate due to propagation delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary delay estimation between APs before actual data transmission. Each AP estimates propagation delay to other APs and stores this information for future use, enabling proactive compensation rather than reactive adjustment during transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission timing parameters based on estimated propagation delays. Each AP modifies its transmission time by adding the estimated delay to achieve synchronized arrival at the receiving device, effectively changing the transmission parameter to compensate for physical distance variations
2Manufacturing precision
If propagation delay estimation and compensation mechanisms are implemented, then timing precision and synchronization are improved, but system complexity and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Delay estimation is performed in advance during a preliminary phase before actual coordinated transmission. The estimated delays are stored for reuse, avoiding the need for continuous real-time calculation during data transmission and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the estimated propagation delay values as reusable parameters for multiple transmission instances. Instead of recalculating delays for each transmission, the system copies and applies the pre-estimated delay values, significantly reducing computational overhead
3Ease of operation
If APs transmit data at different times due to propagation delays, then individual AP transmission flexibility is maintained, but overall downlink performance and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Each AP adjusts its transmission timing parameter by adding the estimated propagation delay to the target transmission time. This parameter modification ensures that despite different physical distances from the receiving device, all APs achieve synchronized data arrival, maintaining both flexibility and performance
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices related to enhanced multiple access point (AP) coordination. A device may determine a first access point (AP) is an associated AP of a station device (STA). The device may identify a null data packet announce (NDPA) frame received from the first AP. The device may determine a propagation delay between the first AP and the device based on the NDPA frame. The device may identify a multi-AP trigger frame received from the first AP at a first time. The device may cause a data packet to be sent to the STA at a second time, wherein the second time is based on the propagation delay.