Coordinated Opportunity Window for Small Data Packet Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks are inefficient due to their optimization for large data packets, leading to unnecessary bandwidth overhead and inefficiencies in handling small data packets, which comprise a significant share of network traffic.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a coordinated adaptive opportunity window system in communication networks, where access points allocate specific time slots based on data packet size, allowing stations to transmit data packets efficiently with reduced interframe spacing, thereby minimizing overhead and improving power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If networks are optimized to carry large data packets, then transmission efficiency for large packets is improved, but efficiency for small data packets deteriorates due to large overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission medium into dedicated opportunity windows for small data packets and regular transmission slots for large data packets. This segmentation allows small packets to bypass the overhead-heavy standard transmission protocol by utilizing pre-allocated time slots, thereby reducing bandwidth overhead while maintaining efficiency for both packet types
Solution Approach 2:
The access point performs preliminary actions by allocating opportunity windows in advance based on predicted small data packet traffic patterns. Stations are notified of these pre-allocated time slots through beacon frames, allowing them to prepare and transmit small packets without going through the full standard transmission handshake, thus reducing overhead
2Loss of energy
If opportunity windows are allocated for small data packet transmission, then overhead is reduced, but network complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service mechanisms where stations autonomously determine whether their data packets qualify for opportunity window transmission based on pre-defined size criteria. The access point simply needs to allocate windows and notify stations via beacons, without requiring complex real-time coordination or arbitration for each transmission, thus limiting the increase in network complexity
3Speed
If interframe spacing is reduced for small data packets, then transmission speed is improved, but collision probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point performs preliminary allocation of opportunity windows to specific stations based on traffic predictions and buffer status. By notifying stations in advance through beacon frames, the system ensures that only authorized stations transmit during their allocated windows, eliminating collisions while maintaining reduced interframe spacing for high-speed transmission
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to transmitting a data packet from a first station to an access point or another station. An exemplary method comprises receiving, at a first station, a beacon from the access point or another station; receiving, at the first station, information associated with an opportunity window from the access point or another station; and transmitting, during the opportunity window, a data packet from the first station to the access point or another station.