WLAN Preemption via PPDU Segmentation for Low Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless local area networks (WLANs) face challenges in providing low-latency services due to resource competition and the need to support both newer and legacy protocols, leading to inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization and response times.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method that breaks up larger Physical Layer Convergence Procedure (PPDU) frames into smaller ones during a transmission opportunity (TXOP) to allow for preemption requests, creating time gaps for low-latency traffic and enabling efficient channel access through preemption requests (PR) frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If larger PPDU frames are transmitted to improve bandwidth utilization, then resource efficiency is improved, but latency increases for time-sensitive traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments larger PPDU frames into smaller PPDU components, allowing low-latency traffic to be transmitted in separate, smaller units that can be sent more quickly through the network, thereby reducing latency while maintaining efficient resource utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic frame sizing capability, allowing the system to adaptively choose between larger frames for bulk data transmission and smaller frames for time-sensitive traffic, optimizing both bandwidth utilization and latency based on traffic requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If newer protocols are implemented to improve service quality, then reliability is improved, but compatibility with legacy devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice delivery reliabilityVSAvoidprotocol compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal frame structure that can carry both newer protocol features and legacy protocol compatibility, allowing the system to support multiple protocol versions and device types within the same transmission framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary elements such as protocol translation layers and compatibility modes that enable seamless interaction between devices using different protocol versions, maintaining reliability across heterogeneous network environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple devices share the same wireless resources to improve network capacity, then resource efficiency is improved, but response time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing differentiated service quality to different types of traffic, allowing time-sensitive traffic to receive priority handling and faster response times while other traffic shares the common pool of wireless resources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20240137983A1Preemption in wlans

Publication Date: 2024.04.25 CARIOU LAURENT

AI summary

Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for an access point (AP), where an apparatus of an AP comprises processing circuitry configured to: encode, for transmission, a first physical (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU) component of a PPDU, encode, for transmission a preemption window duration after transmitting the first PPDU component, a second PPDU component of the PPDU, and in response to detecting a preemption request (PR) during the preemption window, refrain from transmitting the second PPDU component.