WLAN TXOP Sharing and Early Termination Under Interference

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing WLAN systems face challenges in maintaining smooth communication when interference or communication interruptions occur due to non-WLAN or WLAN direct communication.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method and apparatus that allow a WLAN terminal to share or terminate a transmit opportunity (TXOP) to improve communication stability by including TXOP information in data frames, enabling early termination or sharing with other terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a WLAN terminal performs non-WLAN wireless communication or WLAN direct communication, then communication flexibility and versatility are improved, but interference with WLAN communication occurs and communication stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the AP transmit control frames to STAs before the STAs perform non-WLAN or direct communication. These control frames contain TXOP information that pre-configures the STAs to either share or terminate their TXOPs, preventing interference before it occurs while maintaining communication flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where STAs transmit data frames containing TXOP status information back to the AP. The AP then adjusts subsequent control frame transmissions based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that maintains communication stability while allowing flexible multi-mode operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Duration of action of moving object

If a WLAN terminal holds a transmit opportunity (TXOP) for extended period, then data transmission completeness is improved, but interference window increases and communication stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveTXOP durationVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making TXOP duration adjustable rather than fixed. The AP dynamically controls TXOP length through control frames, allowing STAs to extend TXOP when needed for complete data transmission while enabling early termination when interference risks arise, optimizing both transmission completeness and stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the AP as an intermediary that mediates between the STA's need for extended TXOP and the network's need for stability. The AP receives TXOP status feedback from STAs and sends control frames to adjust TXOP duration, acting as a mediator that balances transmission completeness with interference mitigation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If TXOP is not shared or terminated early, then data transmission continuity is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates and interference impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission continuityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the TXOP into controllable segments through control frames. The AP can segment the TXOP duration and control each segment independently, allowing early termination of unnecessary transmissions while maintaining continuity of essential data transfers, thereby improving resource utilization without sacrificing transmission continuity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting TXOP parameters (duration, timing, recipient) through control frames. This allows the system to optimize resource utilization by changing TXOP parameters in real-time based on network conditions, maintaining transmission continuity where needed while reducing waste elsewhere

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4716351A1Method and device for communication in interference situation in wireless LAN system
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4716351A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4716351A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4716351A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to communication in an interference situation in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, and a method of operating an access point (AP) includes receiving at least one data frame from a first station (STA), transmitting at least one control frame to at least one STA including the first STA, and performing an operation associated with a transmit opportunity (TXOP) of the first STA. One frame of the at least one data frame may include information on the TXOP of the first STA.