Multiple Timers for RTS CTS Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems using a single timer for Request to Send (RTS) and Clear to Send (CTS) procedures often lead to inefficient allocation of communication resources, as neighboring devices may unnecessarily silence their communications, causing resources to go unused if the requesting device does not receive a CTS message in time.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multiple timer approach for RTS/CTS procedures, where a first timer is associated with the RTS and CTS message transmission, and a second timer is associated with data message transmission, allowing neighboring devices to reassess and reuse resources if the initial request is not granted, thereby optimizing resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single timer is used for RTS/CTS procedures, then collision avoidance is achieved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary resource silencing by neighboring devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timer functionality into two distinct timers: a first timer (RTS timer) for managing RTS/CTS message exchange, and a second timer (data transmission timer) for managing actual data transmission. This segmentation allows neighboring devices to release resources after the first timer expires, while the requesting device continues using resources until the second timer expires, thereby eliminating unnecessary resource silencing and improving allocation efficiency while maintaining collision avoidance.
2Reliability
If neighboring devices silence communications based on RTS timer duration, then collision avoidance is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates when requests are not granted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource management where the resource silencing duration is no longer fixed but adapts based on the specific phase of communication. Neighboring devices dynamically release resources after the first timer (RTS timer) expires, while the requesting device dynamically continues using resources until the second timer (data transmission timer) expires. This dynamic approach ensures collision avoidance during critical message exchange while preventing energy waste when data transmission does not occur.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for procedures using request to send/clear to send (RTS/CTS) procedures and multiple timers are described. A RTS/CTS procedure using multiple timers may use a first timer and a second timer. The first timer may be associated with a duration to transmit and receive a request to send (RTS) message and a clear to send (CTS) message. The second timer may be associated with a duration to transmit a data message. A network device may transmit a RTS message to request communication resources to transmit data. If the CTS message is not received prior to the expiration of the first timer, neighboring network devices may determine that the communication resources were not allocated and may attempt to request the newly available resources. If a CTS message is received, the network device may communicate the second timer data to the neighboring network devices in a variety of ways.