P2P TWT Coordination Across BSSs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coordinating target wake time (TWT) schedules across peer-to-peer devices in enterprise networks is challenging, particularly in scenarios where devices are connected to different basic service sets (BSSs), leading to complexity and potential disruptions in wireless communication networks.

Innovation Solution

The system negotiates a restricted target wake time (rTWT) schedule between access points (APs) in different BSSs to enable deterministic channel access for peer-to-peer (P2P) communications, using reserved/shared transmission opportunities (TXOP) to manage time resources and minimize interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If TWT schedules are coordinated across P2P devices in different BSSs, then communication reliability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coordinating entity (AP or controller) that acts as an intermediary to manage TWT schedules across multiple BSSs. This intermediary receives P2P communication requests, negotiates TWT parameters between devices in different BSSs, and coordinates transmission opportunities to ensure reliable communication while centralizing the complexity management rather than distributing it across all devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If rTWT schedules are negotiated between APs in different BSSs, then channel access determinism is improved, but negotiation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel access determinismVSAvoidnegotiation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary TWT schedule negotiation between APs before actual P2P communication occurs. The coordinating entity pre-negotiates rTWT parameters, transmission opportunities, and resource allocation between APs in different BSSs, establishing deterministic channel access in advance. This preliminary action ensures stable, predictable communication while containing negotiation complexity to a centralized entity rather than requiring complex real-time coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If reserved TXOPs are used for P2P communication, then interference is reduced, but resource flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidresource flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic TWT schedule management where reserved TXOPs are allocated based on actual communication needs. The coordinating entity monitors P2P communication requests and adjusts rTWT parameters, transmission opportunities, and resource allocation dynamically. This allows the system to maintain deterministic reserved resources for active P2P communications while preserving flexibility to reallocate resources when P2P sessions end or conditions change, balancing interference reduction with resource adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240389028A1Peer-to-peer coordinated target wake time

Publication Date: 2024.11.21 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Embodiments described herein provide for target-wake-time (TWT) coordination in an enterprise network across multiple neighboring APs in order to provide for peer-to-peer (P2P) communications between peer network devices across a network, including across multiple basic services sets in the network.