TXOP Frame Exchange With NAV Protection for Low-Latency Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently sharing transmit opportunities (TXOPs) among multiple stations, leading to inefficiencies in medium utilization and increased latency, particularly for latency-sensitive applications like XR and gaming.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a frame exchange sequence that allows a TXOP owner to share a portion of the TXOP with other nodes, including network allocation vector (NAV) protection mechanisms, to facilitate coordinated and efficient resource allocation among APs and STAs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a TXOP owner shares a portion of the TXOP with other nodes, then medium utilization is enhanced and latency is reduced, but device complexity increases due to the frame exchange sequence and coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the TXOP into multiple portions, allocating different time segments to different wireless nodes. The TXOP owner divides the transmission opportunity into discrete time segments and assigns them to specific nodes through frame exchange, allowing multiple nodes to share the medium efficiently without requiring complex continuous coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the TXOP owner send a first frame indicating candidate nodes before the actual TXOP sharing occurs. This advance notification allows receiving nodes to prepare for the upcoming resource allocation, reducing the complexity of real-time coordination during the actual transmission.
2Loss of time
If a TXOP owner shares a portion of the TXOP with other nodes, then latency is reduced for latency-sensitive applications, but device complexity increases due to NAV protection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the NAV (Network Allocation Vector) as an intermediary mechanism to coordinate TXOP sharing. Instead of direct complex coordination between all nodes, the NAV field in frames serves as a mediator that automatically manages the medium access timing, reducing the complexity of direct node-to-node coordination while enabling low-latency access for authorized nodes.
3Productivity
If a TXOP owner shares a portion of the TXOP with other nodes, then throughput fairness is improved, but device complexity increases due to synchronized resource allocation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the TXOP owner receives acknowledgments from candidate nodes through frame exchange. This feedback loop allows the TXOP owner to adjust resource allocation based on node availability and channel conditions, ensuring fair throughput distribution while simplifying synchronization through iterative coordination rather than complex pre-planning.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects provide a method for wireless communications at a first wireless node. The method generally includes: outputting, for transmission to a second wireless node, a first frame indicating one or more candidate nodes with which a TXOP may be shared, the one or more candidate nodes including the second wireless node; performing a frame exchange with one or more third wireless nodes that shares a first BSS with the first wireless node; outputting, for transmission to the second wireless node, a second frame indicating a portion of the TXOP to be shared with the second wireless node, the second frame being outputted for transmission after the frame exchange; and obtaining, from the second wireless node, a third frame indicating that the TXOP is being returned back to the first wireless node.