Multi-Link Wi-Fi Packet Coordination for STR-Limited Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in implementing multi-link wireless transmissions is mitigating Simultaneous Transmit Receive (STR) problems between different channels on the same Wi-Fi chip, particularly in residential environments where overlapping basic service sets (OBSS) are not coordinated, leading to unbounded delays and lack of guaranteed transmission opportunities.

Innovation Solution

A software-based approach for multi-link implementation that involves exchanging low latency messages with global multi-link sequence numbers to synchronize all links, using independent chipsets and RF chains for each radio, and managing traffic across multiple entities to avoid redundant packet transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multi-link devices operate in two different channels in parallel, then transmission throughput is improved, but Simultaneous Transmit Receive (STR) problems occur between channels on the same Wi-Fi chip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission throughputVSAvoidSTR interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the transmission task across multiple independent links (channels), with each link handled by a separate entity. This segmentation allows parallel transmission while isolating STR problems to individual links rather than affecting the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coordination mechanism acts as an intermediary between multiple entities, managing packet distribution and acknowledgment routing. This mediator coordinates transmissions across links to prevent STR interference while maintaining overall system throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If CSMA/CA protocol is used for wireless transmission, then medium access control is achieved, but transmission opportunity timing cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium access controlVSAvoidtransmission timing guarantee

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts transmission timing and packet scheduling based on channel conditions and acknowledgment feedback. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain CSMA/CA operation while reducing timing uncertainty through adaptive scheduling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Acknowledgment packets provide feedback about successful transmissions, allowing the system to adjust future transmission timing and scheduling. This feedback mechanism reduces timing uncertainty by enabling proactive scheduling based on channel responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If EDCA with random back-off window is used, then statistically higher priority is provided to low latency traffic, but delay cannot be bounded or guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow latency traffic priorityVSAvoiddelay bound

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary scheduling and packet sequencing before transmission, establishing transmission opportunities in advance. This preliminary action reduces reliance on random back-off while maintaining priority handling, thereby bounding delay for low latency traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Area of stationary object

If overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission is not coordinated, then network coverage is extended, but delay becomes unbounded and transmission opportunities are not guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoiddelay bound

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coordination mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it manages OBSS transmission coordination, handles packet scheduling, routes acknowledgments, and maintains timing guarantees. This universal coordinator enables extended coverage while bounding delay through integrated management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12519737B2Device and method for multi-link wireless transmissions

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to reduce latency in wireless communications. To this end, the disclosure proposes a first entity being configured to: transmit a first indication to a second entity, wherein the first indication indicates a first set of packets transmitted from the first entity to a first link receiver; and transmitting a first transmit status indication to the second entity, wherein the first transmit status indication indicates which packets of the first set of packets were successfully received by the first link receiver, and/or indicates which packets of the first set of packets were not received by the first link receiver. In particular, each packet indicated in the first indication and the first transmit status indication is associated with a global multi-link sequence number. Further, this disclosure also proposes a second entity being configured to receive a first indication and a first transmit status indication from a first entity.