Wireless Channel Access Ranking to Reduce Wi-Fi Collisions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wi-Fi networks face performance degradation due to congestion, delays, and collisions in unlicensed bands, particularly in environments with numerous devices, which hinder latency, reliability, and overall network efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized apparatus and method for data transmission in wireless networks that ranks interfering devices by priority, sets a backoff timer based on this order, and halts the timer during concurrent transmissions to minimize collisions and optimize channel access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional LBT-based channel access mechanisms are used in Wi-Fi networks, then channel access fairness is maintained, but network performance degrades significantly in congested environments with numerous devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the backoff timer parameter from a random value to a deterministic value calculated based on the device's rank in the priority order and the number of sensing occasions. This transformation resolves the contradiction by providing both fairness (through systematic ranking) and improved performance (through reduced collision uncertainty) in congested environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional random backoff mechanism with a structured priority-based timing system. Devices are ranked according to their priority levels and assigned specific transmission slots, substituting the random contention mechanism with a more organized access pattern that improves network efficiency while maintaining fairness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If random backoff timing is used for channel access, then collision avoidance is achieved through probability, but transmission delays increase in congested networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary ranking of devices based on priority before channel access attempts. This pre-established order allows devices to determine their backoff timer values in advance, eliminating the need for random backoff and reducing transmission delays while maintaining collision avoidance through the structured timing mechanism.
3Productivity
If priority-based ranking is implemented for channel access, then network efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel access process into distinct priority levels and ranking categories. By dividing devices into different priority groups and assigning them specific ranks, the system manages complexity through structured segmentation rather than requiring complex real-time negotiation protocols, thus improving efficiency while keeping the mechanism manageable.
4Productivity
If multiple devices transmit simultaneously without coordination, then channel utilization is maximized, but collision rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each device to autonomously determine its transmission timing based on its priority rank and the number of sensing occasions, without requiring complex coordination with other devices. This self-service mechanism allows devices to independently calculate their backoff timers and transmit in an organized manner, maximizing channel utilization while maintaining transmission reliability through the structured approach.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present subject matter relates to a method for transmission of data by an apparatus in a communication channel of a first wireless network, the method comprising a first backoff based transmission operation comprising: determining a set of interfering apparatuses that are configured for accessing the communication channel to transmit data, the set of apparatuses comprising the apparatus; ranking the set of apparatuses by transmission priority resulting in an order; performing a channel access operation comprising: setting a backoff timer based on a current order of the apparatus and starting the backoff timer, thereby triggering the apparatus to transmit data, referred to as first transmission, when the backoff timer expires; sensing the communication channel for a second transmission by a second apparatus of the set of apparatuses; in case the second transmission occurs, halting the backoff timer while the second transmission occurs.