Wi-Fi PPDU Latency Reduction via Duration Threshold Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy Wi-Fi networks experience long latency due to the maximum duration of physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) exceeding tolerable limits, particularly in applications requiring low latency like virtual reality and augmented reality, where frequent data exchange is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A method and network circuit that configure a duration threshold for PPDUs based on latency requirements obtained through handshaking with other devices, ensuring PPDUs do not exceed this threshold, thereby improving latency by allowing multiple short PPDUs within a transmission opportunity instead of a single long one.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the maximum duration of PPDUs is increased to transmit more data in a single transmission opportunity, then the data transmission efficiency is improved, but the latency increases beyond tolerable limits for low-latency applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single long PPDU transmission into multiple shorter PPDUs by segmenting the data payload. Each segmented PPDU is transmitted separately within the same transmission opportunity, ensuring that no individual PPDU exceeds the latency threshold while collectively transmitting the complete data set. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high data transmission efficiency through multiple transmissions while keeping each transmission's duration within acceptable latency limits.
2Loss of time
If multiple short PPDUs are transmitted within a transmission opportunity to reduce latency, then the latency is reduced to meet tolerable limits, but the complexity of managing multiple transmissions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by determining the optimal segmentation points and transmission schedule before actually transmitting the PPDUs. The system calculates the maximum allowable PPDU duration based on latency requirements and pre-organizes the data into segments that fit within this constraint. This preliminary planning reduces the complexity during actual transmission execution, as the management decisions are already made in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of PPDU segmentation and transmission timing based on real-time network conditions and latency requirements. The system can adaptively modify the number and size of PPDUs transmitted within a transmission opportunity, allowing flexible optimization between latency reduction and management complexity based on current operational needs.
3Reliability
If the PPDU duration is constrained to meet latency requirements, then low-latency application performance is improved, but the amount of data that can be transmitted in a single opportunity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the reduced per-PPDU data volume by transmitting multiple segmented PPDUs within the same transmission opportunity. The total data transmission volume is maintained or improved upon by efficiently packing multiple shorter PPDUs into the available time window, while each individual PPDU meets the latency constraint. This ensures both reliability for low-latency applications and adequate data transmission volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous utilization of the transmission channel by back-to-back transmission of multiple PPDUs within the transmission opportunity without idle gaps. This continuous useful action maximizes the total data volume transmitted while maintaining each PPDU's duration within latency requirements, effectively compensating for the shorter individual PPDU lengths.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a method and related network circuit for improving latency of a wireless network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network). The method may be executed by a device (e.g., a Wi-Fi station) of the wireless network, and may comprise: configuring a duration threshold according to a latency requirement, and, when transmitting a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) over the wireless network, causing the PPDU not to be longer than the duration threshold. In an embodiment, the latency requirement may be obtained by handshaking with one or more other devices of the wireless network.