Multi-Link Device Common Queue Packet Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-link wireless communication systems, existing technologies face challenges in efficient data flow control and resource allocation due to independent link operations, leading to significant transmission delays and inefficient resource usage, particularly in systems like USB, where software struggles to manage control information and adapt to varying radio environments.

Innovation Solution

A multi-link device with a control circuit and transmitters that utilize a common queue to buffer packets with sequence numbers, allowing for the determination of packet allocation based on sequence numbers and block acknowledgment window sizes, enabling efficient allocation and transmission across multiple links while adapting to real-time radio environment conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If software is used to control data flow of each link independently, then link independence is maintained, but transmission delay increases significantly and system resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink independenceVSAvoidtransmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions of multiple independent links into a single control circuit that manages all links. The control circuit includes a common queue that buffers packets for multiple links and allocates them dynamically, eliminating the need for separate software controllers for each link and reducing transmission delay while maintaining link independence through logical separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit is designed as a universal controller that can manage multiple links simultaneously. It performs data flow control, packet allocation, and radio environment monitoring for all links through a unified architecture, reducing system resource consumption while maintaining the ability to handle each link's specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If software controls data flow with centralized management, then resource allocation improves, but transmission delay increases and timing requirements cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol information transmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hardware-based control circuit as an intermediary between the packet source and transmitters. This control circuit directly manages packet allocation and data flow control in hardware, eliminating the need for software intervention and significantly reducing the transmission delay of control information while maintaining efficient resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the software-based control system with a hardware-based control circuit. This substitution eliminates the overhead associated with software execution, context switching, and system resource management, enabling real-time packet allocation and data flow control that meets strict timing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If software manages packet transmission, then system resources are utilized, but radio environment changes during scheduling lead to inefficient resource allocation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket transmission capabilityVSAvoidradio environment adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit continuously monitors the radio environment in advance and maintains updated channel quality information for each link. When allocating packets from the common queue, it uses this pre-acquired radio environment information to make optimal allocation decisions, ensuring that packets are assigned to links with the best current channel conditions before transmission begins, thus avoiding the latency of real-time environmental assessment during scheduling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12120036B2Multi-link device adopting block acknowledgment and packet allocation method thereof

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

A multi-link device includes a first link queue, a second link queue, a control circuit, a first transmitter and a second transmitter. The control circuit includes a common queue for buffering a plurality of packets, each packet having a sequence number. The control circuit obtains a minimum sequence number of all packets in the first link queue and the second link queue, computes a maximum sequence number according to the minimum sequence number and a block acknowledgment window size, determines whether to allocate a set of packets from the common queue according to the maximum sequence number, and if so, allocates the set of packets to the first link queue and/or the second link queue. The first transmitter transmits a packet from the first link queue to a first receiving device, and the second transmitter transmits a packet from the second link queue to a second receiving device.