Roll-call channel access for wireless network latency reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of devices in a wireless local area network (WLAN) increases, the contention for the shared wireless medium leads to increased delays in accessing the channel, making channel access more challenging due to the additional time spent resolving over-the-air contentions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a roll-call channel access (RCCA) technique where devices are grouped into RCCA groups, with a host device responsible for channel contention and managing group members, allocating unique transmission slots to prevent collisions and optimize EDCA parameters based on group size and traffic type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of devices in the WLAN increases, then the network capacity and coverage are improved, but the channel access delay increases due to increased contention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the contending devices into multiple RCCA groups, with each group having a designated host device. This segmentation reduces the number of individual devices contending for the channel simultaneously, as only the host devices (one per group) participate in the contention process. This directly addresses the contradiction by maintaining support for many devices while reducing channel access delay through grouped contention.
Solution Approach 2:
The host device acts as an intermediary for its group members. Instead of each device in the group independently contending for the channel, the host device represents the entire group in the contention process. This intermediary role reduces the number of contention participants while still providing channel access opportunities for all group members, thereby reducing overall channel access delay.
2Ease of operation
If random backoff contention is used for each device, then channel access is distributed fairly, but transmission collisions increase with more devices
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting devices into RCCA groups with designated hosts, the patent reduces the number of simultaneous contention participants. Fewer devices contending at once directly reduces the probability of transmission collisions, while the group structure maintains fair access opportunities for all members through their represented host.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple devices into a single RCCA group that is represented by one host device. This combining of devices into groups reduces the overall number of independent contention entities, thereby reducing collision probability while preserving access fairness through the group representation mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If each device contends independently for the channel, then individual access flexibility is maintained, but the overall channel access efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments devices into RCCA groups while maintaining flexibility through dynamic host selection and group formation. This segmentation improves channel access efficiency by reducing contention overhead, while the adaptability is preserved through the ability to form different group configurations and select appropriate hosts based on network conditions and device characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The RCCA group structure is dynamic, allowing for flexible formation, dissolution, and reconfiguration of groups based on network conditions. Host devices can be dynamically selected from group members, and group compositions can change over time. This dynamic nature maintains individual access flexibility while improving overall channel access efficiency through reduced contention.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a method, computer program product, and system for grouping electronic devices into roll-call channel access (RCCA) groups to reduce the number of devices contending for a wireless channel. Devices within RCCA groups are represented a host device during a channel contention process. Once a channel is granted access to a host device, its respective RCCA group has control of the channel for a predetermined period of time during which devices of the RCCA group take turns transmitting data on the channel.