Wi-Fi Packet Retransmission via Dynamic Link Selection
Solution Overview
Problem
Wi-Fi links used for video services often experience packet loss and latency issues due to signal strength variations, interference, and congestion, leading to artifacts and frame freezing in video streams, especially when using the 5 GHz frequency band.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize two Wi-Fi links with different frequency bands (5 GHz and 2.4 GHz) to determine the best path for packet retransmission based on quality indicators, including congestion levels and estimated latency, to ensure reliable retransmission and reduce video service disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a 5 GHz Wi-Fi link is used for carrying video service, then bandwidth is improved, but packet loss and latency increase due to signal strength insufficiency, interference, and congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link selection by establishing both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi links and dynamically choosing which link to use for packet retransmission based on real-time quality indicators. The gateway detects downlink quality indicators and selects the appropriate link adaptively, transforming the static single-link approach into a dynamic multi-link system that responds to changing network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating frequency band parameter by maintaining connections on both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands simultaneously. When packet loss occurs on the 5 GHz link, the system switches to the 2.4 GHz link for retransmission, effectively changing the frequency parameter to avoid congestion and interference while maintaining video service continuity.
2Device complexity
If packet retransmission is performed on the same Wi-Fi link, then retransmission simplicity is maintained, but response speed and success rate decrease due to link congestion and latency
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as an intermediary that monitors link quality and mediates packet retransmission by selecting the optimal link. Instead of the terminal directly requesting retransmission on the same link, the gateway intercepts the retransmission request, evaluates both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz link conditions, and forwards the packet through the better link, thereby improving response speed without significantly increasing terminal-side complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic link selection by establishing both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi links and dynamically choosing which link to use for packet retransmission based on real-time quality indicators. The gateway detects downlink quality indicators and selects the appropriate link adaptively, transforming the static single-link approach into a dynamic multi-link system that responds to changing network conditions.
3Device complexity
If a single Wi-Fi link is used for video transmission, then system complexity is reduced, but video service quality deteriorates due to artifacts and frame freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video transmission path into two separate frequency bands (5 GHz and 2.4 GHz), allowing different packets to be transmitted through different links. This segmentation enables the system to bypass congested or interfered links for specific packets, reducing artifacts and frame freezing without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite transmission system by combining 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi links into a unified video transmission pathway. Similar to composite materials that combine different properties, this composite link system combines the high bandwidth of 5 GHz with the penetration and coverage advantages of 2.4 GHz, achieving superior overall performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for retransmitting a packet on a wireless fidelity link includes receiving a packet retransmission request sent by a user terminal and determining a packet that needs to be retransmitted, detecting a downlink quality indicator on a gateway side of a first wireless fidelity link and a downlink quality indicator on a gateway side of a second wireless fidelity link, determining a link for retransmitting the packet, based on the downlink quality indicator on the gateway side of the first wireless fidelity link and the downlink quality indicator on the gateway side of the second wireless fidelity link, and sending, to the user terminal on the determined link for retransmitting the packet, the determined packet that needs to be retransmitted.