Wireless Network Controller Operating Mode Transition Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless networks face increased latency due to slow operating mode changes, which are necessary in response to changing intrinsic and extrinsic conditions, affecting network performance.
Innovation Solution
A network controller with upper and lower MAC functions facilitates fast operating mode changes by inserting OM change indicators into Quality of Service data frames, allowing devices to transition to new modes without waiting for the entire queue of data packets to be transmitted using the old mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If operating mode changes are performed using traditional methods (waiting for data queue transmission to complete), then data transmission reliability is maintained, but latency increases significantly (tens of milliseconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring transmission information for multiple operating modes in advance. When an operating mode change is needed, the system can immediately switch to the pre-configured mode without waiting for the data queue to finish transmitting, thus reducing latency while maintaining reliability through proper configuration of transmission parameters for each mode
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data transmission process by associating different data packets with different operating modes through transmission information configuration. This allows selective application of operating mode changes to specific data packets rather than requiring all packets to be transmitted under one mode before switching, enabling faster mode transitions
2Loss of time
If operating mode changes are performed quickly without waiting for queue completion, then latency is reduced (to tens of microseconds), but complexity of the network controller increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller pre-configures transmission information for multiple operating modes during idle periods or during mode stability. This preliminary configuration stores mode-specific parameters (bandwidth, spatial streams, etc.) in memory, so when a mode change is triggered, the controller can immediately apply the pre-configured settings without complex real-time calculations, reducing both latency and operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts operating modes based on real-time network conditions while using pre-configured transmission information to facilitate quick switching. The controller monitors channel conditions, device capabilities, and traffic patterns to determine when mode changes are beneficial, balancing the need for quick response with appropriate system complexity
3Productivity
If operating mode changes are delayed until data queue transmission completes, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity of the wireless network decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-configuring transmission information for multiple operating modes, the system enables rapid mode switching that prevents throughput degradation during mode transitions. The pre-configured parameters allow immediate application of new modes without waiting for queue completion, maintaining high productivity while managing controller complexity through organized configuration storage
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes transmission parameters (bandwidth, spatial streams, modulation schemes) based on pre-configured operating mode information. This allows the network to adapt to changing conditions by switching between predefined parameter sets, improving productivity through optimal mode selection while keeping the controller manageable through structured parameter organization
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations disclosed describe techniques to effectuate operating mode changes of a wireless connection between a first communication device (CD) and a second CD. In an example embodiment, the disclosed techniques may include detecting, by a wireless network controller of the second CD, an indication that the first CD has requested the operating mode change from a first operating mode to a second operating mode. The disclosed techniques may further include modifying a transmission information (TI) associated with one or more frames in a transmission queue of the second CD, the TI including a representation used by a physical layer of the second CD to configure transmission of a respective frame to the first CD, wherein the one or more frames in the transmission queue have been previously programmed with a first-mode TI, and wherein modification of the TI is to a second-mode TI.