Wireless Network Sub-Transactions for Low-Latency Audio and HID

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless network protocols face challenges in achieving low latency for human interface devices (HIDs) such as mice and keyboards, as the transaction length needs to accommodate both audio and overhead frames, leaving insufficient time for payload transmission.

Innovation Solution

The network protocol is redesigned to include multiple sub-transactions within a transaction, distributing payload and overhead frames across these sub-transactions, ensuring HID latency is determined by sub-transaction length rather than transaction length.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transaction length is extended to accommodate audio and overhead frames, then audio bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio are improved, but human interface device latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio signal qualityVSAvoidHID latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transaction is divided into multiple sub-transactions, each handling specific payload types. Audio frames are transmitted in dedicated sub-transactions while HID frames are handled in separate sub-transactions with shorter durations, allowing HID latency to be determined by sub-transaction length rather than the full transaction length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the transaction includes both audio payloads and overhead frames, then audio communication capability is improved, but the time available for HID payload transmission is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio communication capabilityVSAvoidHID payload transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transaction structure is segmented into multiple sub-transactions, with each sub-transaction dedicated to specific payload types. This allows audio frames and HID frames to be transmitted in separate time slots, ensuring that HID payload transmission is not blocked by overhead frames required for audio communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single transaction structure is used for all device types, then protocol simplicity is maintained, but latency for time-sensitive devices like HIDs increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol structureVSAvoidHID latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

While maintaining a unified transaction framework, the protocol segments the transaction into multiple sub-transactions with different characteristics. HID-focused sub-transactions have shorter durations and lower overhead, while audio-focused sub-transactions can accommodate larger payloads and more overhead, thus reducing HID latency without sacrificing audio communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12411791B2Systems, devices and methods related to wireless network having low latency

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

In some embodiments, a wireless network architecture can include a network protocol configured to allow communication between a host device and each of an audio device and a human interface device. The network protocol can include a transaction having a time duration, with the transaction including a plurality of sub-transactions arranged in sequence. Each sub-transaction can have a time duration and a frame for the human interface device such that a latency period associated with the human interface device is greater than or equal to the time duration of the sub-transaction but less than the time duration of the transaction.