TWT Frame Optional Fields for Flexible Wake Interval Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Target Wake Time (TWT) frame functionality in wireless communication networks lacks flexibility in signaling TWT wake intervals that are not multiples of a threshold, leading to inefficient power management and increased latency due to unnecessary device wake-ups.
Innovation Solution
Configuring TWT frames with optional fields or elements that indicate the presence or absence of additional information, such as multi-link operation (MLO) information, to allow for flexible scheduling, suspension, or early termination of TWT service periods, enabling more precise power management and reduced latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If TWT frames use fixed mandatory fields only, then device complexity is reduced and compatibility is improved, but flexibility in signaling TWT wake intervals is lost leading to increased latency and inefficient power management
Solution Approach 1:
The TWT frame structure is segmented into mandatory fields and optional fields. The mandatory fields contain essential TWT information, while optional fields provide additional flexibility for signaling varied TWT wake intervals. This segmentation allows devices to use only the necessary fields, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The TWT frame structure is made dynamic by allowing optional fields to be conditionally included or excluded based on specific signaling needs. This dynamic structure enables the frame to adapt its complexity level - using minimal fields for simple cases and expanding with optional fields when flexible TWT wake interval signaling is required.
2Adaptability or versatility
If TWT frames include all optional fields for maximum flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but frame size increases and processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of including all possible optional fields in every TWT frame, the patent applies partial action by selectively including only the specific optional fields needed for each signaling scenario. This reduces the average frame size and processing overhead while maintaining the capability for full flexibility when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The optional fields are designed with multi-functionality, where a single optional field structure can serve multiple signaling purposes for different TWT wake interval configurations. This universal design reduces the total number of different field types needed, thereby reducing overall frame size while maintaining adaptability.
3Loss of time
If TWT wake intervals are constrained to multiples of a threshold, then signaling complexity is reduced, but latency increases due to unnecessary device wake-ups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter constraints on TWT wake intervals by introducing optional fields that allow non-multiple interval values. This parameter change enables precise wake scheduling that matches actual traffic patterns, reducing latency from unnecessary wake-ups while the optional fields manage the increased signaling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The TWT frame structure provides self-service by including fields that automatically indicate the presence or absence of additional information. This self-describing structure reduces signaling complexity overhead, as receiving devices can automatically determine what information is present without requiring complex external negotiation, enabling flexible non-multiple wake intervals.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides methods, components, devices and systems for extending target wake time (TWT) frame functionality. Some aspects more specifically relate to accommodating TWT wake intervals that do not satisfy threshold TWT wake intervals. In some examples, a first wireless communication device configures at least one of: one or more subfields of a field or one or more fields of an element that include TWT information in a TWT frame, where the subfield(s) or field(s) indicate a presence or absence of at least one optional field in the TWT frame, or an optional element in the TWT frame. The device then transmits the TWT frame to a second wireless communication device. After the second device receives this TWT frame, this device executes one or more operations associated with a TWT schedule or service period based at least in part on the configured subfield(s) or field(s) or the configured optional element.