R-TWT Channel Occupancy Control for Reliable Wireless Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in managing latency-sensitive traffic due to inefficient resource allocation and increased latency, particularly in environments with multiple devices competing for access to wireless channels.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a restricted target wake time (R-TWT) protocol that prioritizes transmission and reception times for latency-sensitive traffic by granting membership to devices based on beacon signals, allowing efficient resource utilization and reducing inefficiencies through adaptive scheduling of sub-service periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If R-TWT operation is performed without considering channel occupancy time, then device complexity is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates due to insufficient time for signal transmission and reception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation control complexityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces channel occupancy time as a new parameter to the R-TWT operation control mechanism. By adjusting this time parameter based on signal transmission requirements, the system achieves reliable communication while maintaining simplified operation control. The channel occupancy time is dynamically determined based on signal characteristics without requiring complex multi-parameter coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If channel occupancy time is extended to ensure reliable communication, then communication reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases due to prolonged transmission and reception periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiddevice energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by determining channel occupancy time based only on the necessary signal transmission requirements rather than using excessive time. The system calculates the minimum adequate occupancy time needed for reliable communication, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring communication reliability is achieved through optimized rather than maximized time allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If R-TWT operation does not account for signal transmission time, then operation simplicity is maintained, but communication quality deteriorates due to premature termination of transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-determining the channel occupancy time based on signal transmission characteristics before the actual communication begins. This advance calculation ensures that sufficient time is allocated for complete signal transmission and reception, preventing premature termination while maintaining simple operation control through a straightforward time-based mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4546887B1Electronic device and r-TWT operation control method
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4546887B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4546887B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4546887B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device and an R-TWT operation control method are disclosed. The electronic device according to one embodiment comprises: one or more wireless communication modules for transmitting/receiving a wireless signal; one or more processors operatively connected to the wireless communication modules; and a memory which is electrically connected to the processors, and which includes instructions executable by the processor, wherein, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the processor performs a plurality of operations. The plurality of operations can include the operations of: receiving a beacon signal including a target wake time element for a restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service; acquiring member information from the beacon signal; and performing communication in an R-TWT service period on the basis of the member information. The member information can include information associated with a device that has been granted membership for performing communication by prioritizing the transmission of a frame in the R-TWT service period. Other various embodiments are possible.