SAI Queue-Size Signaling for WLAN Packet Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless local area network (WLAN) communication standards face challenges in efficiently managing queue sizes for application layer packets, leading to suboptimal throughput and latency in high-density environments, particularly with the increasing use of devices like cameras that generate significant data traffic.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method to signal segment-association-information (SAI) queue-size information for application layer packets, which involves enhanced buffer status reporting and trigger-dependent user info fields to optimize packet handling and scheduling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing WLAN communication standards are used for queue management, then device compatibility is maintained, but throughput is suboptimal and latency increases in high-density environments

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of buffer status reporting by introducing SAI queue-size information that explicitly indicates the number of packet segments in each queue. This allows the AP to make more informed scheduling decisions based on precise queue depth information, thereby improving throughput and reducing latency in high-density environments without sacrificing compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements enhanced feedback mechanisms where STAs report detailed buffer status information including SAI queue-size to the AP. This feedback enables the AP to dynamically adjust resource allocation and scheduling decisions, leading to optimized network performance in terms of both throughput and latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If enhanced buffer status reporting with SAI queue-size information is implemented, then queue management precision is improved, but protocol complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequeue size information precisionVSAvoidprotocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the buffer status reporting into structured formats with specific fields for SAI queue-size information. By organizing the enhanced information into defined protocol elements, the patent achieves precise queue measurement while maintaining manageable protocol complexity through systematic information structuring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If traditional buffer status reporting is used, then protocol simplicity is maintained, but network performance in high-density environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidbuffer status reporting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares and transmits detailed buffer status information including SAI queue-size before actual data transmission scheduling. This preliminary provision of precise queue information enables the AP to make optimal scheduling decisions in advance, improving network performance without requiring complex real-time adjustments during transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4718906A1Apparatus, system, and method of signaling segment-association-information (SAI) queue-size information for communication of application layer packets
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 INTEL CORP
  • EP4718906A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4718906A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4718906A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

For example, an apparatus may include logic and circuitry configured to cause a non Access Point (AP) (non-AP) station (STA) to set one or more Segment-Association-Information (SAI) queue-size subfields in a control field. For example, the one or more SAI queue-size subfields may indicate queue sizes of one or more SAI queues at the non-AP STA. For example, an SAI queue of the one or more SAI queues may queue packet segments corresponding to a same application layer packet. For example, the non-AP STA may be configured to transmit a frame to an AP, wherein a Media Access Control (MAC) header of the frame includes the control field.