Wireless Access Node Selection for Low Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in reducing variation in wireless access delays, particularly in shared access networks where devices must contend for channel access, leading to potential collisions and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
A method where a wireless device associates with a wireless network comprising a centralized unit and multiple access nodes, allowing the device to select a different access node for each transmission opportunity based on records of ongoing transmission opportunities, thereby optimizing channel access and reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) is used to avoid collisions in shared wireless medium, then collision avoidance is achieved, but wireless access delays increase and show high variation
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple access nodes instead of a single shared medium, allowing devices to associate with specific access nodes. This segmentation reduces contention and delay variation while maintaining collision avoidance through distributed access control.
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized unit is introduced as an intermediary to manage association between wireless devices and access nodes. The centralized unit receives association requests, makes binding decisions, and coordinates access node selection, thereby reducing delay variation while preventing collisions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices contend for channel access on the same channel, then shared access is achieved, but access delay variation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from single-channel contention to multi-channel operation, where devices can select from multiple channels and access nodes. This dimensional expansion reduces contention on any single channel, thereby reducing access delay variation while maintaining shared access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The association between devices and access nodes is made dynamic rather than static. Devices can be bound to different access nodes based on current network conditions, and access nodes can be selected dynamically during operation, reducing delay variation while preserving shared access.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising: transmitting an association request from a wireless device to a first access node of a wireless network for associating the wireless device to the wireless network, wherein the wireless network comprises a centralized unit and a plurality of access nodes, including the first access node, receiving an association response from the first access node for associating the wireless device to the wireless network, performing carrier sensing on a plurality of channels; selecting a second access node among the plurality of access nodes in response to obtaining a transmission opportunity for a channel of the plurality of channels, wherein the selecting is based at least partly on a record of ongoing transmission opportunities, and transmitting data from the wireless device to the second access node during the transmission opportunity.