Relay Station Packet Forwarding Without ACK Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, such as IEEE 802.11, face inefficiencies in packet relaying due to the need for multiple transmissions and overhead associated with acknowledgment (ACK) frames, which can increase transmission time and medium usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a relay station forwards data packets without sending ACK frames back to the sender, using a unique identifier or address in the packet header, allowing the sender to monitor the channel for successful delivery based on the presence of the identifier in subsequent transmissions from the relay station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ACK frames are sent from relay station to original sender to confirm successful receipt, then packet delivery reliability is improved, but transmission time and medium usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ACK frame transmission step from the relay process. Instead of sending explicit ACK frames from relay to original sender, the system uses implicit acknowledgment where the relay forwards the data packet to the destination and the original sender infers successful delivery when the forwarded packet is received. This removes the redundant ACK transmission while maintaining delivery confirmation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new intermediary mechanism where the destination device acts as the mediator for acknowledgment. Instead of direct ACK from relay to sender, the destination receives the packet and its reception status indirectly confirms delivery to the original sender. The forwarding packet itself serves as the acknowledgment carrier.
2Reliability
If ACK frames are sent from relay station to original sender to confirm successful receipt, then packet delivery reliability is improved, but wireless medium usage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the separate ACK frame transmission from the data forwarding process. By removing the explicit ACK frame requirement, the system eliminates redundant medium occupancy. The data packet forwarding itself carries the acknowledgment function, so no additional medium usage is needed for separate ACK transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the acknowledgment function with the data packet forwarding process. The same transmission that delivers data to the destination also serves as implicit acknowledgment to the original sender. This combining of functions eliminates the need for separate ACK frames and improves medium usage efficiency.
3Reliability
If multiple transmissions are used in relay configuration, then packet delivery is ensured, but overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the redundant ACK frame transmission from the relay protocol. By removing this overhead element, the system reduces the number of transmission steps required while maintaining delivery reliability through the implicit acknowledgment mechanism embedded in the data forwarding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the data packet transmission serve multiple functions simultaneously: it delivers data to the destination and provides acknowledgment to the original sender. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated ACK transmissions, thereby reducing overall overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
System and method embodiments are provided for packet relaying. The embodiments enable reduced network traffic. In an embodiment, a method in a wireless network component for packet relaying includes transmitting a first data packet comprising data to a relay station, wherein the first data packet comprises an identification (ID) of the target wireless device wherein the data packet is intended for a target wireless device, wherein the relay station is configured to forward the data in the first data packet to the target wireless device without sending an acknowledgement back to the wireless network component; receiving a second data packet transmitted by the relay station; and determining whether a receiver ID of the second data packet corresponds to the target wireless device, wherein the wireless network component considers the transmission successful if the receiver ID of the second data packet corresponds to the target wireless device.