Wireless Link Channel Efficiency via Dynamic Packet Sizing

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, the mismatch between the maximum possible data throughput rate of a wireless link and the data throughput rate of one or more devices can lead to packet loss, power waste, and degraded network capacity due to the inability of devices to process data at the maximum link rate, resulting in inefficient channel usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where the access-point transceiver determines the data throughput rate and receive buffer size of connected devices to adjust the size and frequency of data packets transmitted, allowing for higher data rates than the device's throughput without causing buffer overflow, and utilizing power savings modes to manage data flow effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the PHY rate of the wireless link is limited to the highest supported data rate of the limiting device, then packet loss is avoided, but power consumption increases and network throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket lossVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts packet size based on the receive buffer status and device throughput rate. The access point varies the packet size to optimize the balance between transmission speed and buffer utilization, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions rather than using a fixed rate. This dynamic adjustment enables higher data rates when buffers are available while preventing packet loss when buffers are full.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the packet size parameter dynamically based on the receive buffer status and device capabilities. By adjusting packet size as a variable parameter rather than using a fixed rate, the system can optimize throughput when buffers are available and prevent packet loss when buffers are full, resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the PHY rate of the wireless link is limited to the highest supported data rate of the limiting device, then packet loss is avoided, but network throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket lossVSAvoidnetwork throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts packet size based on the receive buffer status and device throughput rate. The access point varies the packet size to optimize the balance between transmission speed and buffer utilization, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions rather than using a fixed rate. This dynamic adjustment enables higher data rates when buffers are available while preventing packet loss when buffers are full.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The access point uses feedback about the device's receive buffer status and throughput rate to adjust packet size. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from actual device performance and adjust transmission parameters accordingly, optimizing both throughput and reliability based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If data is transmitted at the maximum PHY rate of the wireless link, then network throughput increases, but packet loss increases due to buffer overflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidpacket loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts packet size based on the receive buffer status and device throughput rate. The access point varies the packet size to optimize the balance between transmission speed and buffer utilization, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions rather than using a fixed rate. This dynamic adjustment enables higher data rates when buffers are available while preventing packet loss when buffers are full.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The access point determines packet size in advance based on the receive buffer status before transmission occurs. By preliminarily calculating the appropriate packet size based on current buffer conditions, the system prevents buffer overflow and packet loss before they can occur, while still maximizing throughput when buffers have capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9854533B2System and method for improving channel efficiency in a wireless link

Publication Date: 2017.12.26 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

System and method for improving channel efficiency in a wireless link between an access-point transceiver and a first transceiver. The first transceiver may have a first data throughput rate that is lower than the maximum possible data throughput rate of the wireless link. The first transceiver may include a first receive buffer. An indication of the first data throughput rate and a size of the first receive buffer may be received and stored by the access-point transceiver. A first size of a first data packet for transmission to the first transceiver may be determined by the access-point transceiver based on one or more of the first data throughput rate and/or the size of the first receive buffer. The first data packet of the first size may be transmitted to the first transceiver by the access-point transceiver at a data rate that is higher than the first data throughput rate.