Round-Robin Token Passing for Ad-Hoc Network Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ad hoc wireless networks lack efficient resource management and Quality of Service (QoS) facilities, leading to reduced system capacity and inefficiency, particularly in high-throughput systems, and require compatibility with legacy systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a round-robin token passing mechanism for distributed scheduling in ad hoc networks, allowing for low-latency, reduced contention access to a shared medium, while maintaining backward compatibility with legacy systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a MAC protocol is designed to utilize the shared resource efficiently in ad hoc networks, then network efficiency and system capacity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MAC protocol segments the shared medium access into discrete time slots assigned to different stations. Each station is allocated a specific time slot in the sequence list, transforming the continuous shared medium into segmented time intervals. This segmentation enables efficient resource utilization by ensuring each station gets guaranteed access while preventing collisions, all through a distributed approach that maintains relatively simple station implementations.
2Loss of time
If distributed scheduling is implemented to provide low-latency access in ad hoc networks, then packet delay is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed scheduling mechanism allows each station to autonomously manage its own access to the shared medium based on the sequence list. Stations independently track their position in the sequence and transmit without requiring centralized coordination. This self-service approach reduces packet delay by eliminating contention and central control overhead, while the complexity is distributed across simple local station logic rather than concentrated in a complex central scheduler.
3Reliability
If new MAC protocols are introduced to improve QoS in ad hoc networks, then quality of service is enhanced, but compatibility with legacy systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The MAC protocol is designed to serve multiple functions and accommodate different station types within a unified framework. The sequence list mechanism can include both legacy stations and new enhanced stations, with the protocol automatically adapting to their different capabilities. This universality allows QoS enhancement through structured time slot allocation while maintaining compatibility with existing 802.11 stations that use the same physical layer and basic MAC operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An IBSS that allows token passing for round-robin service of QoS flows is disclosed (an RRBSS). The RRBSS permits low-latency, reduced contention, distributed scheduling useful in any ad hoc network, but particularly suitable for high data rates. Distributed scheduled access is provided for flows through a round-robin token passing service discipline. STAs follow a round-robin order, or list, and are able to communicate with round-robin transmit opportunities during a defined period. Each STA in the list transmits a respective token to transfer access to the shared medium to the next STA in the RR List. The sequence is terminated with an end token. STAs maintain station identifiers and list updates are maintained with a sequence identifier. Techniques are disclosed to add and remove STAs to the sequence; establish connectivity lists (receive and forward), and maintain other sequence parameters such as bandwidth management and TXOP duration. Various other aspects are also disclosed.