Wireless Rate Adaptation via Data Transmit Time Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless network rate adaptation methods are inefficient in adapting to changing channel conditions, particularly for real-time applications like video streaming and gaming, due to their focus on PHY rates rather than data transmit times, which affects throughput and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that estimate packet Error Rate (PER) and Aggregation Error Rate (AER) for each PHY rate value, calculating data transmit times to select the optimal PHY rate for wireless transmission, considering factors like frame size, overhead, and transmission scenarios to improve throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If rate adaptation methods focus on PHY rates to achieve high bandwidth, then transmission speed is improved, but adaptability to changing channel conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optimization parameter from PHY rate to data transmit time. The system estimates data transmit times for multiple PHY rates and selects the rate that minimizes transmit time, adapting to changing channel conditions. This parameter change enables the system to achieve high speeds when conditions permit while maintaining adaptability when conditions deteriorate.
2Reliability
If ACK packet based algorithms are used to adapt data rates, then reliability is improved through feedback, but loss of time increases due to repeated transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary estimation of data transmit times for multiple PHY rates before actual transmission. By predicting which rate will minimize transmit time based on current channel conditions, the system avoids the time loss associated with trial-and-error transmissions and ACK/NACK feedback loops, while still ensuring reliable transmission through informed rate selection.
3Productivity
If Minstrel algorithm is used to maximize data rate, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function needed for rate adaptation - estimating and comparing data transmit times for different PHY rates. By focusing on this core function and eliminating unnecessary complexity from algorithms like Minstrel, the system achieves high throughput through a simpler, more efficient approach that directly optimizes for transmit time rather than throughput metrics.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a device for adapting a wireless transmission rate, comprising a transmitter, a processor adapted to perform the following for a transmission of each of sequential wireless local area network (WLAN) frames by the transmitter: estimate a packet Error Rate (PER) and/or Aggregation Error Rate (AER) for each of physical layer (PHY) rate values (according to frame size), estimate data transmission durations each according to respective PER and/or AER and one of the PHY rate values, and select one of the PHY rate values for adaption of a wireless transmission rate of the transmitter in a following frame according to an analysis of the data transmission durations.