Apparatus and method for transmitting data to a wireless communication device to minimize congestion and interference from undetectable devices through carrier sensing

摘要

An apparatus estimates an influence rate at which transmission of data to a first wireless communication device is influenced by a second wireless communication device that is undetectable by means of carrier sense. The apparatus determines transmission quantity based on the estimated influence rate, and detects a congestion state of the first wireless communication device. The apparatus transmits data to the first wireless communication device according to the determined transmission quantity when congestion for the first wireless communication device is detected.

主权项

1. An apparatus for transmitting data to a wireless communication device by means of carrier sense, the apparatus comprising:
a memory to store transmission data; and a processor to:
obtain a busy count indicating a number of times a communication channel has been detected to be in a busy state by repeating the carrier sense until the communication channel is detected to be in an idle state,estimate an influence rate at which transmission of data to a first wireless communication device is influenced by a second wireless communication device that is undetectable by means of the carrier sense by the apparatus, by calculating an average value of received powers that are detected for a wireless link coupled to the first wireless communication device during an adjustment period, wherein the second wireless communication device is located outside a first range in which direct communication with the apparatus is possible and located inside a second range in which direct communication with the first wireless communication device is possible, and the apparatus fails to keep track of a state of transmission performed by the second wireless communication device,determine transmission quantity that is to be transmitted to the first wireless communication device, based on the estimated influence rate,detect a congestion state of the first wireless communication device, based on an average value of the obtained busy count, andtransmit data to the first wireless communication device according to the determined transmission quantity when congestion for the first wireless communication device is detected and when the communication channel is detected to be in an idle state by the carrier sense, wherein the processor estimates the influence rate for each of a plurality of the first wireless communication devices; the processor determines the transmission quantity in accordance with each of a plurality of the estimated influence rates; the memory stores a waiting time for performing control of the transmission quantity, in association with each of the plurality of the estimated influence rates; the processor determines a first waiting time associated with a first influence rate that is minimum among the plurality of the estimated influence rates; the processor causes transmission of, when congestion is detected for one of the plurality of the first wireless communication devices, data to the one of the plurality of the first wireless communication devices according to the transmission quantity determined in accordance with the first influence rate after the determined first waiting time has elapsed.