WLAN Trigger Scheduling Using STA Timing Feedback for Low Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing WLAN standards lack mechanisms for efficient reporting of timing information from stations (STAs) to access points (APs), leading to inefficiencies in scheduling and increased latency due to non-deterministic traffic patterns and the inability to predict packet arrival times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing mechanisms for minimal overhead timing information reporting by STAs, such as batch-based, similarity-based, and head-of-line packet reporting, allowing APs to adjust scheduling patterns dynamically based on reported traffic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional WLAN scheduling mechanisms are used, then devices can communicate without complex timing coordination, but queueing delays increase and scheduling efficiency deteriorates due to non-deterministic traffic patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the STA reports timing information (packet arrival times, queue depths) to the AP, and the AP uses this feedback to dynamically adjust triggering patterns. This closed-loop system enables the AP to optimize scheduling decisions based on actual traffic conditions, reducing queueing delays while improving scheduling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The STA performs preliminary actions by reporting timing information about packet arrivals and queue conditions before the AP needs to make scheduling decisions. This advance information allows the AP to proactively adjust triggering patterns to match upcoming traffic bursts, minimizing queueing delays before they occur.
2Measurement precision
If the STA reports detailed timing information frequently, then the AP can improve scheduling precision, but the overhead of reporting and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by reporting timing information selectively for specific traffic streams or queues that require precise scheduling, rather than reporting all traffic uniformly. The STA can choose to report timing details only for high-priority or latency-sensitive traffic, maintaining measurement precision where needed while reducing overall reporting overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The STA performs partial reporting by providing timing information for only a subset of traffic streams or at selected intervals rather than continuously reporting all traffic. This partial action approach maintains sufficient timing accuracy for the AP to make effective scheduling decisions while significantly reducing reporting overhead and processing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the AP uses fixed triggering patterns, then the system operation is simple, but it cannot adapt to changing traffic conditions leading to increased latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the AP to dynamically adjust triggering patterns based on real-time traffic conditions reported by the STA. The triggering pattern is no longer fixed but adapts its parameters (intervals, offsets, frequencies) according to observed traffic patterns, packet arrival rates, and queue depths, allowing the system to respond to changing conditions while managing complexity through structured adaptation rules.
Data Source
AI summary
A station (STA) includes a processor. The processor is configured to identify a traffic condition for the STA, and generate a message based on the traffic condition for the STA. The STA also includes a transceiver operably coupled to the processor. The transceiver is configured to transmit, to an access point (AP), the message based on the traffic condition for the STA, and receive, from the AP, according to a triggering pattern, a trigger to transmit one or more packets.