TWT Schedule Coordination for OBSS Interference Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing target wake times (TWT) across overlapping basic service sets (OBSS) in wireless communication networks, leading to interference and reduced latency in applications like augmented and virtual reality.

Innovation Solution

The method involves advertising a target wake time (TWT) schedule capability by a first access point (AP) and establishing a TWT schedule coordination agreement with a second AP, including transmitting information elements (IEs) that indicate the TWT schedule and coordination levels, allowing for synchronization and coordination of TWT schedules across APs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If devices enter low power states to reduce energy usage, then energy efficiency is improved, but latency increases when devices need to wake up for communications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements Target Wake Time (TWT) scheduling where devices pre-negotiate and schedule specific wake times for communications. This preliminary action allows devices to enter low-power states confidently knowing when they will need to wake up, reducing unnecessary wake-ups and extending sleep duration while ensuring timely communications at scheduled moments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple overlapping basic service sets (OBSS) operate independently, then network autonomy is maintained, but inter-network interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork autonomyVSAvoidinter-network interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coordination mechanism where access points in different OBSS exchange TWT schedule information through information elements in beacon frames. This intermediary information exchange allows networks to maintain autonomy while coordinating wake times to avoid simultaneous transmissions, thereby reducing inter-network interference without requiring centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If TWT schedules are not coordinated across OBSS, then device complexity is reduced, but latency and throughput performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling complexityVSAvoidthroughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the TWT coordination into manageable components: individual APs publish their TWT schedules in beacon frames, receiving APs extract relevant schedule information, and devices adjust their wake times based on this segmented information. This segmentation avoids complex multi-AP centralized scheduling while achieving coordinated wake times that improve throughput and reduce latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250081176A1Systems and methods of target wake time schedule management

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and devices for managing target wake time (TWT) schedules may include a first device of a wireless local area network (WLAN) which receives information relating to drift of a start time of a target wake time (TWT) schedule from a second device of the WLAN. The first device may modify a start time for a subsequent TWT service period, according to the information relating to the drift of the start time from the second device.