WiFi Multi-Link PPDU Ending Time Alignment via Parameter Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In WiFi multi-link operations, PPDU ending time misalignment occurs due to differences in link capacities, leading to inefficiencies and synchronization issues across multiple links.
Innovation Solution
A method for aligning PPDU ending times across multiple links by setting distinct parameters for each link to accommodate different capacities, ensuring that the ending times of PPDUs transmitted over different links fall within a predefined tolerance range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If different parameters are set for each link to accommodate different capacities, then link capacity utilization is improved, but PPDU ending time alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting PPDU transmission parameters (such as data portion length, padding size, or transmission rate) based on the specific link capacity and observed ending time deviations. This allows each link to operate at its optimal capacity while the transmitter compensates for timing differences through parameter adjustment, resolving the contradiction between capacity utilization and ending time alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the PPDU transmission adaptive rather than static. The transmitter continuously monitors PPDU ending times across multiple links and dynamically adjusts subsequent transmissions to compensate for capacity differences. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the system to maintain ending time alignment while utilizing the full capacity of each link according to its capabilities.
2Reliability
If duplicate transmission is performed over high capacity and low capacity links, then connection stability is improved, but PPDU length mismatch increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different PPDU configurations for different links based on their specific characteristics. Instead of enforcing uniform PPDU lengths across all links, the system permits each link to have locally optimized PPDU parameters (length, content, padding) suited to its capacity, while maintaining the overall duplicate transmission strategy for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to manage duplicate transmissions efficiently. The transmitter adjusts PPDU parameters (such as data portion size or padding) for each link based on its capacity, allowing duplicate content to be transmitted with locally optimized lengths. This resolves the operation difficulty by making the system adaptive to each link's characteristics rather than requiring manual length matching.
3Manufacturing precision
If PPDU synchronization is enforced across links with different capacities, then ending time alignment is improved, but transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by requiring ending time alignment only at the PPDU boundary level rather than enforcing continuous synchronization throughout the transmission. This allows links to transmit at their full capacity without artificial rate limiting, while still achieving alignment at the critical ending time points. The alignment requirement is applied partially (at boundaries) rather than continuously, preserving transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by calculating and planning PPDU parameters in advance to predict ending times. The transmitter determines appropriate PPDU lengths and padding requirements before transmission based on link capacity characteristics, enabling ending time alignment to be achieved proactively rather than requiring reactive adjustments that would reduce efficiency.
4Productivity
If link capacity differences are accommodated with flexible PPDU lengths, then capacity utilization is improved, but synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the transmitter monitor PPDU ending times across multiple links and use this information to adjust subsequent transmissions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain ending time alignment automatically without complex pre-planning, as the transmitter adapts based on observed performance. The feedback loop simplifies synchronization control compared to deterministic approaches that require complex calculations for all possible scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A physical protocol data unit (PPDU) transmission method includes: setting parameters of each of a plurality of links for enabling the plurality of links to have different capacity for PPDU transmission, wherein parameters of one link are different from parameters of another link, and highest capacity supported by the one link is higher than highest capacity supported by the another link; aligning an ending time instant of transmission of a first PPDU transmitted via the one link with an ending time instant of transmission of a second PPDU transmitted via the another link through setting a content that is carried by the first PPDU transmitted via the one link; and transmitting PPDUs via the plurality of links, wherein one PPDU is transmitted via each of the plurality of links, and the PPDUs include the first PPDU and the second PPDU.