Multi-Channel WLAN Allocation for Low-Latency Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless LANs, CSMA/CA-based access control leads to increased latency due to congestion, as successful carrier sense followed by random backoff is required when a transmission occasion is not acquired, resulting in prolonged waiting times.
Innovation Solution
A radio communication apparatus and method that utilizes multiple radio channels, allocating at least one channel for reducing latency, with beacons and trigger frames including information elements to facilitate low-latency communication, and adjusting carrier sense levels accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CSMA/CA based access control is used, then channel access is controlled, but communication latency increases due to random backoff waiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radio channels into multiple channels, where at least one channel is dedicated to low-latency communication. This segmentation allows the system to separate traffic into standard CSMA/CA channels and low-latency channels, enabling devices to bypass random backoff on dedicated low-latency channels while maintaining channel access control on other channels.
2Loss of time
If multiple radio channels are allocated for low-latency communication, then latency is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel allocation where the radio controller can flexibly allocate at least one radio channel for low-latency communication based on current network conditions and device capabilities. The allocation is not fixed but can be adjusted dynamically, allowing the system to optimize latency reduction while managing complexity through adaptive resource allocation rather than static configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of channel allocation by introducing information elements in beacon frames that indicate which radio channels are allocated for low-latency communication. This parameter change allows devices to identify and utilize appropriate channels without complex manual configuration, reducing device complexity while enabling latency reduction through multiple dedicated channels.
3Loss of information
If beacons are transmitted frequently to indicate low-latency channel allocation, then information is communicated efficiently, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by including low-latency channel allocation information elements only in beacons transmitted on radio channels that are allocated for low-latency communication, rather than duplicating this information in all beacon transmissions across all channels. This localized information inclusion reduces redundant transmissions and energy consumption while maintaining efficient communication of critical information to devices that need it.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio communication apparatus that simultaneously uses multiple radio channels, the radio communication apparatus includes a radio communicator, and a radio controller, wherein the radio controller uses multiple transmission methods, at least one of the multiple transmission methods is a method for reducing latency, at least one radio channel of the multiple radio channels is allocated to the method for reducing latency, a beacon is transmitted on the multiple radio channels by use of the radio communicator, and information transmitted in the beacon includes an information element indicating the at least one radio channel allocated to the method for reducing latency.