Coordinated Wi-Fi TXOP Sharing Across Close Co-RTWT Start Times
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Solution Overview
Problem
The issue of close-in-time coordinated-restricted target wake times (Co-RTWT) in Wi-Fi networks leads to inefficient and overlapping TXOPs, causing interference and degradation in network performance due to the reliance on Start Time Protection Rules (STPRs) that result in short and inefficient transmission opportunities.
Innovation Solution
Coordinating access points to ignore peer AP's STPRs and perform a single longer TXOP that is shareable between them, utilizing Co-TDMA and other coordination schemes, based on buffered traffic and priority, to optimize resource allocation and minimize interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access points follow Start Time Protection Rules (STPRs) for Co-RTWT, then timing coordination is maintained, but TXOPs become short and inefficient causing overlapping transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges overlapping TXOPs by having access points coordinate to extend transmissions beyond individual STPR boundaries. When AP 1's TXOP extends beyond AP 2's STPR, instead of terminating, AP 1 continues and shares the extended TXOP with AP 2, combining what would otherwise be separate transmission opportunities into a single coordinated session.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts TXOP duration based on actual traffic conditions and coordination needs. The TXOP extends beyond the fixed STPR when necessary, and the duration is flexibly allocated between cooperating APs based on their traffic requirements, making the time allocation adaptive rather than rigid.
2Productivity
If access points extend TXOP beyond peer STPRs, then transmission efficiency improves, but interference with peer transmissions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces coordinated time division as an intermediary mechanism between extending TXOPs and causing interference. Cooperating APs share the extended TXOP in a coordinated manner, with each AP transmitting only during its allocated sub-period, thereby mediating between the desire for extended transmissions and the need to avoid interference.
3Productivity
If access points perform single longer shared TXOP, then resource allocation optimizes, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic polling where access points periodically inquire about their peer's traffic status and coordination needs. This periodic interaction enables the system to establish and adjust coordinated TXOP sharing arrangements without requiring continuous complex negotiation, simplifying the coordination mechanism while maintaining optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a method includes determining, at a first access point, that a transmit opportunity (TXOP) in a first Service Period (SP) of the first access point beginning at a first time extends beyond a Start Time Protection Rule (STPR) of a second access point at a second time, and overlaps with a second SP of the second access point that starts at the second time after the first time; continuing transmissions, by the first access point, in the TXOP of the first access point during the second SP; determining that the second access point has traffic to transmit; and granting, by the first access point, a portion of the TXOP of the first access point to the second access point.