NSTR Timer Mechanism for Fair WLAN Link Access

The protocol sets an NSTR timer in advance before the NSTR MLD is allowed to transmit. The timer is configured based on the duration of the receiving operation on the other link, ensuring that the transmitting operation is scheduled beforehand without causing interference. This preliminary timing arrangement allows the NSTR MLD to gain fair access to the link while maintaining transmission reliability by preventing simultaneous receive-transmit operations.

The protocol dynamically adjusts the NSTR timer value based on the actual receiving duration on the other link. The timer is set to expire precisely when the receiving operation completes, allowing the NSTR MLD to transmit only during safe time windows when no receive operation is active. This dynamic timing control enables fair link access while eliminating in-device coexistence interference by ensuring transmit and receive operations never occur simultaneously.

The NSTR MLD autonomously manages its own channel access by setting and monitoring the NSTR timer internally. The device uses its own receiving operation duration as the basis for configuring the timer, eliminating the need for complex external coordination or centralized control mechanisms. This self-service approach achieves fair link access while minimizing device complexity by leveraging the device's own operational parameters for timing control.