Multi-Link Wi-Fi Backoff for Overlapping rTWT Service Periods

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Wi-Fi technologies face challenges in managing multi-frequency band communication scenarios with overlapping restricted target wake time service periods (rTWT SP), leading to interference and failure to meet low-latency service requirements due to poor anti-interference performance in multi-connection devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a random backoff mechanism in non-simultaneous transmit and receive (NSTR) connections when a transmission opportunity (TXOP) overlaps with rTWT SP, using exponential backoff algorithms to avoid conflicts and ensure low-latency service transmission without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple frequency bands are aggregated and coordinated for communication, then transmission rate and throughput are improved, but interference between connections increases and low-latency service reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission rateVSAvoidlow-latency service reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection to determine whether a transmission opportunity (TXOP) overlaps with the restricted target wake time (rTWT) service period before initiating transmission. This advance checking prevents interference with low-latency services by identifying potential conflicts in advance and adjusting transmission timing accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The backoff counter mechanism dynamically adjusts transmission timing based on real-time conditions. When overlap with rTWT service period is detected, the backoff counter is extended to postpone transmission; when no overlap exists, normal transmission proceeds. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both throughput and low-latency service reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If transmission opportunity TXOP is extended to improve throughput, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but interference with rTWT service period increases and latency requirements cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection to determine whether a transmission opportunity (TXOP) overlaps with the restricted target wake time (rTWT) service period before initiating transmission. This advance checking prevents interference with low-latency services by identifying potential conflicts in advance and adjusting transmission timing accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the timing parameter of transmission by extending the backoff counter when overlap with rTWT service period is detected. This parameter adjustment postpones transmission to a non-conflicting time slot, ensuring low-latency services meet their timing requirements while still allowing efficient data transmission during appropriate windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If random backoff mechanism is applied to avoid collisions, then multi-connection reliability is improved, but transmission delay increases and throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-connection reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system selectively adjusts the backoff counter parameter based on detection results. When no overlap with rTWT service period is detected, the backoff counter is not extended, allowing rapid transmission. When overlap is detected, the backoff counter is extended only for the necessary duration to avoid conflict. This selective parameter adjustment maintains reliability while minimizing unnecessary delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The backoff counter mechanism dynamically adjusts transmission timing based on real-time conditions. When overlap with rTWT service period is detected, the backoff counter is extended to postpone transmission; when no overlap exists, normal transmission proceeds. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both reliability and transmission delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260006483A1Communication method and apparatus, electronic device, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of mobile communications, and provide a communication method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a storage medium. The communication method is applied to a multi-link station device (Non-AP STA). The method comprises: a Non-AP STA obtains a first transmit opportunity (TXOP) under a first link of a non-simultaneous transmit and receive (NSTR) link pair, and when the first TXOP overlaps restricted target wake time service periods (rTWT SPs) of the NSTR link, executes a random backoff mechanism under the first link. The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an implementation mode of an rTWT mechanism in an NSTR scenario.