802.11ai MAC Timings

What are MAC Timings in IEEE 802.11ai?

MAC Timings define the precise timing intervals for frame transmissions, acknowledgments, and medium access control in 802.11ai networks.

Why are MAC Timings important in 802.11ai?

They ensure efficient coordination of transmissions, reducing collisions and improving network responsiveness, especially for fast initial link setup.

What is the significance of Short Interframe Space (SIFS) in 802.11ai?

SIFS is the shortest waiting time between frames, used for immediate responses like ACKs, minimizing latency.

How does Arbitration Interframe Space (AIFS) affect medium access?

AIFS defines the minimum wait before a device can contend for the channel, supporting QoS prioritization.

What is the role of Target Wake Time (TWT) in MAC Timings?

TWT schedules specific wake-up times for devices, reducing power consumption by controlling active periods.

How are slot times defined in 802.11ai?

Slot times specify the basic unit for random backoff intervals, helping to avoid transmission collisions.

What is contention window in the context of 802.11ai MAC Timings?

It’s the range from which a device randomly selects a backoff time before attempting to transmit.

How does 802.11ai optimize timings for fast initial link setup?

By reducing delays in frame exchanges and adjusting backoff and interframe spacing parameters.

What is the timing for acknowledgment frames in 802.11ai?

ACK frames are transmitted after SIFS to confirm successful frame reception promptly.

How does 802.11ai handle retransmission timing?

It defines backoff and retry intervals to manage retransmissions efficiently without excessive delays.

What is the significance of Timing Synchronization Function (TSF)?

TSF synchronizes devices’ clocks to coordinate transmissions and avoid conflicts.

How are multi-user OFDMA transmissions timed in 802.11ai?

MAC Timings allocate precise schedules for resource unit assignment and simultaneous transmissions.

What timing parameters are adjusted for power-saving in 802.11ai?

Sleep durations and wake intervals coordinated through TWT and interframe spacing.

How do MAC Timings impact latency in 802.11ai networks?

Optimized timings reduce wait intervals, enabling faster response and lower overall latency.

What role does backoff timing play in collision avoidance?

Random backoff periods after busy medium detection help prevent simultaneous transmissions.

How does 802.11ai adapt timings for dense network environments?

It adjusts contention windows and interframe spaces to balance fairness and throughput.

Are MAC Timing parameters fixed or adaptive in 802.11ai?

They can be dynamically adapted based on network conditions and traffic priorities.

Where can detailed MAC Timing parameters for 802.11ai be found?

In the IEEE 802.11ai standard documents and related technical publications.

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