Wireless LAN TXOP Reallocation for Failed Multi-User Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless LAN systems face inefficiencies in managing transmission opportunity (TXOP) duration allocation for multiple users, particularly when transmission failures occur, leading to residual TXOP durations that are not optimally utilized.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for an access point (AP) to identify and reallocate residual TXOP durations to stations (STAs) within the current TXOP without requiring a new TXOP acquisition, through the use of TXOP sharing trigger frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If TXOP duration is allocated to multiple users using TXOP sharing, then network resource utilization is improved, but when transmission failures occur, residual TXOP durations are wasted and not reallocated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers residual TXOP durations that would otherwise be discarded due to transmission failures. When a STA fails to transmit or completes transmission early, the AP identifies the residual TXOP duration and reallocates it to another STA through a new trigger frame, thereby recovering otherwise wasted network resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic reallocation of TXOP durations within the same TXOP period. The AP can adjust and redistribute TXOP allocations based on actual transmission outcomes, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and optimize resource utilization in real-time without requiring a new TXOP acquisition.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a new TXOP is acquired to reallocate transmission opportunities, then transmission flexibility is improved, but additional resource acquisition overhead and time delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs reallocation actions within the already-acquired TXOP period rather than waiting for a new TXOP. By identifying failed transmissions and reallocating residual durations during the current TXOP, the system avoids the time delay associated with acquiring a new TXOP while maintaining transmission flexibility.
3Productivity
If TXOP sharing is implemented for multiple users, then network throughput is improved, but complexity of managing transmission allocations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the AP monitors transmission outcomes of each STA and uses this information to make reallocation decisions. The AP identifies which STAs have failed or completed transmissions and accordingly reallocates residual TXOP durations, creating a closed-loop system that manages complexity through structured feedback processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by an access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (LAN) system comprises the steps of: acquiring a transmission opportunity (TXOP); transmitting a TXOP sharing (TXS) trigger frame for allocating transmissions o f a plurality of stations (STAs) in a TXOP interval related to the TXOP; identifying that transmission of at least one STA among the plurality of STAs has not been performed; identifying a remaining TXOP interval after transmission of one or more remaining STAs other than the at least one STA among the plurality of STAs is performed in the TXOP interval; and transmitting a trigger frame for reallocating transmission of the at least one STA i n the remaining TXOP interval.