Restricted TWT Service Periods for Wireless TSN Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication standards, such as IEEE 802.11, do not adequately support the stringent latency and reliability requirements of emerging applications like industrial control, autonomous systems, and gaming, necessitating improved Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing enhancements to IEEE 802.11 standards to support Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) over wireless networks, including time synchronization and latency guarantees through bandwidth reservation and time-aware scheduling, using a Central User Configuration (CUC) entity and Centralized Network Configuration (CNC) to manage TSN traffic streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing wireless communication standards (IEEE 802.11) are used, then device compatibility and ease of operation are maintained, but latency control and reliability for time-sensitive applications are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Central User Configuration (CUC) entity and Centralized Network Configuration (CNC) as intermediary components that mediate between TSN applications and the wireless network infrastructure. The CUC receives TSN stream specifications, performs admission control, and generates time-aware schedules, while the CNC distributes these schedules to network elements. This intermediary layer shields applications from wireless network complexities while ensuring reliable time-sensitive delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the TSN scheduling function into distinct modular components: the CUC handles admission control and schedule generation, the CNC handles schedule distribution and management, and individual network elements execute localized scheduling decisions. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, improving overall system reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through clear separation of concerns.
2Loss of time
If time-aware scheduling and bandwidth reservation are implemented, then latency control is improved, but network complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the CUC automatically performs admission control by evaluating TSN stream specifications against available network resources, and autonomously generates time-aware schedules without requiring manual configuration. The system self-manages bandwidth reservation by calculating required resources and allocating them according to TSN stream requirements, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining strict latency control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and pre-distributing time-aware schedules through the CNC before TSN traffic actually flows through the network. Admission control decisions are made in advance based on predicted resource requirements, and bandwidth is reserved beforehand. This preliminary configuration ensures that latency requirements are met without requiring real-time complex computations during actual data transmission.
3Reliability
If centralized configuration entities (CUC and CNC) are introduced, then TSN traffic management is improved, but system complexity and number of network elements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the CUC and CNC as universal configuration entities that can serve multiple TSN applications, streams, and network topologies simultaneously. Rather than creating dedicated configuration entities for each TSN stream or application, the CUC/CNC provide multi-functional support for various TSN services including industrial control, autonomous systems, and gaming applications, reducing the overall number of configuration entities needed in the network.
Data Source
AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments may include apparatus, system and method of scheduling Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) wireless communications. For example, an apparatus may include logic and circuitry configured to cause a wireless communication Access Point (AP) to allocate at least one Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) enabled (TSN-enabled) Target Wakeup Time (TWT) Service Period (SP) based on one or more timing requirements of a TSN schedule of at least one TSN stream for at least one wireless communication station (STA); to transmit a TWT scheduling message to schedule the TSN-enabled TWT SP, the TWT scheduling message including an indication that the TSN-enabled TWT SP is restricted to only TSN communications; and, during the TSN-enabled TWT SP, to communicate one or more frames of the at least one TSN stream with the at least one STA.