Channel management method for concurrent network and wireless device

Abstract

A channel management method for a concurrent network, performed by a wireless device, includes establishing a first connection in a first network with a first communication device over a first channel, and establishing a second connection in a second network with a second communication device over a second channel. The second network is the same as or different from the first network. The second channel is determined by an enhanced channel selection algorithm that takes into account the presence of the first channel through which the first connection has been established. Correspondingly, the invention also provides a wireless device. According to the invention, the overall performance of the parallel network can be improved.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to communications in concurrent networks, and more particularly, to a channel management method and wireless device for concurrent networks, which can achieve better system performance. [Background Technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the rise of high-demand applications such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), the number of Wi-Fi communication devices has increased significantly, leading to an increase in scenarios where multiple Wi-Fi networks are used concurrently. Traditionally, the connection algorithm of a Wi-Fi network relies on internal criteria for peer selection. For example, for a Wi-Fi station (STA) network, the algorithm may be related to parameters such as received signal strength indicator (RSSI), interference level, bandwidth, and frequency band (e.g., 2.4GHz or 5GHz or 6GHz). The device scans for available access points (APs), evaluates them based on these criteria (i.e., conventional channel selection algorithm), and selects the AP with the highest score. However, this approach may not be optimal for overall system performance, especially in the scenario of multiple concurrent networks.

[0003] For example, in a scenario where a device supports both Wi-Fi Station (STA) and Wi-Fi Direct networks, the device may first establish a P2P connection on a specific channel based on the negotiation mechanism of the peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol. Subsequently, the device may also use the conventional channel selection algorithm to connect to the AP for STA operation, which may result in a Multi-Channel Concurrent (MCC) scenario, resulting in reduced throughput and increased latency.

[0004] These methods also have limitations in scenarios with multiple concurrent networks of the same type. For example, if a device needs to access two P2P networks, they may establish connections on different channels based on their respective preferences, resulting in poor MCC and performance.

[0005] Therefore, in the scenario of multiple concurrent networks, there is an urgent need to provide an improved channel management technology to improve the overall system performance. [Summary of the invention]

[0006] In one embodiment, a channel management method for concurrent networks is disclosed. The channel management method is performed by a wireless device. The channel management method includes: establishing a first connection with a first communication device in a first network via a first channel, and establishing a second connection with a second communication device in a second network via a second channel. The second network is the same as or different from the first network. The second channel is determined using an enhanced channel selection algorithm that takes into account the existence of the first channel through which the first connection was established. In other words, the enhanced channel selection algorithm specifically considers the existence of channels used by existing network connections when selecting a channel for a new network connection, thereby reducing the possibility of falling into an MCC scenario, thereby reducing transmission delay and improving throughput.

[0007] In another embodiment, a wireless device is disclosed, comprising a processor and at least one transceiver. The at least one transceiver is configured to perform wireless communications. The processor is coupled to the at least one transceiver and configured to: establish a first connection with a first communication device in a first network via a first channel; and establish a second connection with a second communication device in a second network via a second channel. The second network may be the same as or different from the first network. The second channel is determined using an enhanced channel selection algorithm that takes into account the presence of the first channel over which the first connection was established.

[0008] These and other objects of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment which is depicted in the various figures and drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reading the following detailed description and referring to the examples given in the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a channel management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the hardware architecture of the channel management system.

[0012] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of selecting a second channel from available channels using an enhanced channel selection algorithm.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the channel management system in switching the first channel to the third channel.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 1A flow chart of a channel management method for executing a concurrent network channel management system in the channel management system.

[0015] In the following detailed description, for illustrative purposes, numerous specific details are set forth to enable those skilled in the art to more thoroughly understand the embodiments of the present invention. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details, and different embodiments may be combined as needed, and the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [Specific implementation method]

[0016] The following description is of preferred embodiments of the present invention and is intended only to illustrate the technical features of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Certain terms are used throughout the specification and claims to refer to specific components. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that manufacturers may use different names for the same components. Therefore, this specification and claims do not distinguish components by name, but rather by functional differences. The terms "component," "system," and "device" used in this invention may refer to entities related to a computer, which may be hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The terms "including" and "comprising" used in the following description and claims are open-ended and should be interpreted as meaning "including, but not limited to..." Furthermore, the term "coupled" refers to an indirect or direct electrical connection. Therefore, when a device is described as being coupled to another device, this means that the device may be directly electrically connected to the other device or indirectly electrically connected to the other device through other devices or connections.

[0017] Figure 11 is a block diagram of a channel management system 100 for a concurrent network (particularly a concurrent Wi-Fi network; for ease of illustration, a Wi-Fi network is used as an example) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is worth noting that Wi-Fi is a wireless local area network (WLAN) technology based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. For example, different types of networks based on Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 standard) may include station-to-access point (STA-AP) networks, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, service access point (SAP) networks, and the like. For purposes of illustration and understanding, the embodiments of the present invention will be described using STA-AP networks and P2P networks as examples, but are not limited thereto. For example, concurrent networks may include scenarios where a P2P network is concurrent with another P2P network, a STA-AP network is concurrent with a SAP network, or two or more Wi-Fi networks are concurrent. The channel management system 100 is capable of optimizing the overall performance of concurrent networks in scenarios where multiple Wi-Fi networks are operating concurrently. The channel management system 100 can also address issues in multiple channel concurrent (MCC) scenarios (i.e., scenarios where the wireless device operates in MCC mode), in which the overall performance of the wireless device is degraded due to channel switching overhead. MCC mode refers to a mode in which the wireless device uses multiple channels and the same (shared) transceiver path for transmission / communication to multiple networks, for example, by switching channels and sharing the same transceiver path through time division duplexing (TDD) to perform transmissions for different networks at different times. The channel management system 100 improves the overall performance of concurrent networks by employing an enhanced channel selection algorithm (also known as a first channel selection algorithm), wherein the enhanced channel selection algorithm considers the potential possibility of MCC scenarios (i.e., considering the existence of channels used by existing connections) when selecting an access point (AP) or channel for a new network connection. The regular channel selection algorithm (also known as the second channel selection algorithm) does not consider the possibility of MCC scenarios, that is, it does not consider the existence of channels used by existing connections. In other words, when selecting an operating channel for a new network connection, the regular channel selection algorithm does not consider the existence of channels already used by existing network connections. That is, the channel selection for each new network connection is completed independently, without considering the channels used by existing network connections separately.In this embodiment of the present invention, the enhanced channel selection algorithm prioritizes single channel contention (SCC) scenarios (i.e., scenarios where the wireless device operates in SCC mode) or dual-band dual-concurrent (DBDC) scenarios (i.e., scenarios where the wireless device operates in DBDC mode). In these scenarios, concurrent networks operating on the wireless device operate on the same channel or channels in different frequency bands. In concurrent networks, a wireless device operating in SCC or DBDC mode does not need to switch channels for different networks. For example, in DBDC mode, different networks transmit data over channels in different frequency bands. Similarly, in SCC mode, different networks transmit over the same channel without switching channels (e.g., different networks use the same channel at different times as needed). This allows the wireless device to more fully utilize hardware resources such as the transceiver (TRX) within the wireless device. However, in MCC mode, a wireless device can only perform TRX for a specific network during the time allocated to that network. If the TRX time for that specific network is unused (idle), the idle time cannot be shared with other networks. Therefore, the channel management system 100 provides several advantages in multi-network concurrent scenarios, including reduced latency, increased throughput, and enhanced overall system performance. SCC mode refers to a mode in which a wireless device uses a single channel (a channel in this mode is also referred to as an SCC channel) and the same (shared) transceiver path to transmit signals for multiple networks. For example, using time division duplexing (TDD), the shared transceiver path is used to transmit signals for different networks at different times. Furthermore, DBDC mode refers to a mode in which a wireless device uses different channels (a channel in this mode is also referred to as an FDD channel) and different transceiver paths to transmit signals for multiple networks. This allows for concurrent (e.g., FDD) communications via channels in different frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz + 6 GHz, or 5 GHz + 6 GHz).

[0018] exist Figure 1In the embodiment, the channel management system 100 includes a wireless device 10, a first communication device 11, and a second communication device 12, wherein the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12 are respectively connected to the wireless device 10. The wireless device 10 can be a mobile device or user equipment (UE). The wireless device 10 can act as a communication hub, connecting to multiple devices via at least one channel. In this embodiment, the primary function of the wireless device 10 is to establish and manage concurrent connections with other devices while reducing or avoiding the possibility of performance degradation caused by MCC scenarios. The first communication device 11 can be a P2P device, a mobile device, or any other type of communication device. The first communication device 11 establishes a connection with the wireless device 10. The first communication device 11 communicates with the wireless device 10 via a wireless channel. The first communication device 11 transmits data to and receives data from the wireless device 10. The first communication device 11 can also establish connections with other devices in the network. The second communication device 12 can be an AP, a smartphone, a laptop, or another P2P device, which establishes a connection with the wireless device 10.

[0019] In this embodiment, a "connection" refers to a specific communication path that transmits and receives wireless signals between devices via a channel. For example, each channel can be identified by a channel number (CH) and its corresponding bandwidth. Proper channel selection is crucial for maintaining optimal network performance. Inappropriate channel selection may result in reduced throughput. Therefore, when selecting a channel for a new network connection, the channel management system 100 employs an enhanced channel selection algorithm to reduce the probability of the wireless device 10 falling into an MCC scenario.

[0020] exist Figure 1In the present invention, a first connection is established between a wireless device 10 (e.g., a mobile device) and a first communication device 11 (e.g., another mobile device) via a first channel CA. A second connection is established between the wireless device 10 and a second communication device 12 via a second channel CB, where the second channel CB is selected or determined after the first connection is established via the first channel CA. The selection of the second channel CB is based on an enhanced channel selection algorithm that takes into account the existence of the first channel CA already used by the first connection and aims to optimize overall system performance. Furthermore, in another embodiment, if the wireless device 10 is operating in an MCC scenario, the first channel CA between the wireless device 10 and the first communication device 11 can be switched to a third channel CC to avoid operating in an MCC scenario. The third channel is selected to enable the wireless device 10 to operate in an SCC scenario or a DBDC scenario, thereby achieving concurrency with the second channel CB. For example, the third channel CC is determined to be the same as the second channel CB to achieve concurrency in an SCC scenario. For another example, the third channel CC is determined to be a channel in a different frequency band (FDD channel) than the second channel CB to achieve concurrency in a DBDC scenario. By doing so, in this embodiment, the channel management system 100 employs an enhanced channel selection algorithm to provide improved throughput and reduced delay.

[0021] In channel management system 100, wireless device 10 establishes a first connection with first communication device 11 in a first network via a first channel (CA). Furthermore, wireless device 10 establishes a second connection with second communication device 12 in a second network via a second channel (CB), where the second network is the same as or different from the first network. Second channel (CB) is determined using an enhanced channel selection algorithm that takes into account the presence of the first channel (CA), through which the first connection was established. For example, second channel (CB) is selected to maximize the likelihood that wireless device 10 operates in SCC mode or DBDC mode, thereby enabling concurrency with first channel (CA) in SCC or DBDC scenarios. If wireless device 10 still experiences an MCC scenario, first channel (CA) used for the first connection may be switched to another channel. For example, a third channel (CC) may be selected using an enhanced channel selection algorithm (which takes into account the presence of second channel (CB)). The connection between wireless device 10 and first communication device 11 is re-established via the third channel (CC), enabling wireless device 10 to operate in SCC or DBDC scenarios. A detailed description of channel management system 100 is provided below.

[0022] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of the hardware architecture of the channel management system 100. A first communication device 11 includes a transceiver 11a, a processor 11b, and a memory 11c. The processor 11b is coupled to the transceiver 11a and the memory 11c. The transceiver 11a supports wireless communications, for example, transmitting and receiving data via a first connection established via a first channel CA in a first network. The processor 11b manages communication processes, for example, performing negotiation processes with the wireless device 10 to implement channel selection and switching. The memory 11c stores software and data required for the operation of the first communication device 11. A second communication device 12 includes a transceiver 12a, a processor 12b, and a memory 12c. The processor 12b is coupled to the transceiver 12a and the memory 12c. The transceiver 12a supports wireless communications, for example, transmitting and receiving data via a second connection established via a second channel CB in a second network. The processor 12b manages communication processes, for example, performing negotiation processes with the wireless device 10 to implement channel selection and switching. The wireless device 10 includes at least one transceiver 10a, a processor 10b, and a memory 10c. Processor 10b is coupled to transceiver 10a and memory 10c. Processor 10b manages communication processes, for example, performing negotiation processes with first communication device 11 and second communication device 12 to enable communication with them (including channel selection and switching). Memory 10c stores software and data required for the operation of wireless device 10. Specifically, wireless device 10 includes at least one transceiver 10a to support wireless communications, such as transmitting and receiving data. If wireless device 10 has only one transceiver 10a_1, this means that wireless device 10 has only one radio frequency (RF) transceiver path available. Therefore, wireless device 10 can implement SCC scenarios with first communication device 11 and second communication device 12. In other words, wireless device 10 is preferably operated in SCC mode in concurrent networks. If wireless device 10 has at least two transceivers 10a_1 and 10a_2, this means that wireless device 10 has at least two RF transceiver paths available. Therefore, the wireless device 10 can be used to implement a DBDC scenario (also known as an FDD scenario) or an SCC scenario with the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12. That is, in this case, the wireless device 10 can operate in a DBDC mode or an SCC mode in a concurrent network. In this embodiment of the present invention, the transceiver 10a_2 is optional.

[0023] Figure 3Schematic diagram of selecting the second channel CB from available channels through an enhanced channel selection algorithm. In this embodiment, the first communication device 11 may be a P2P device. For ease of explanation and understanding, the first network is described using a P2P network as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may also be a STA-AP network or a SAP network. The first connection between the wireless device 10 and the first communication device 11 in the first network (e.g., a P2P network) is used to access data through the first channel CA. Figure 3 In the example, the wireless device 10 establishes a first connection with the first communication device 11 through the first channel CA, wherein the first channel CA is CH36 (i.e., CA=CH36). For example, the wireless device 10 and the first communication device 11 can negotiate and agree to use the first channel CA (=CH36) as the initial operating channel. During the negotiation process, the wireless device 10 and the first communication device 11 exchange information such as each other's preferred channel, preferred channel list, and supported channel list. It can be understood that the preferred channel of a device includes the preferred channel that the device expects to use, the preferred channel list of the device includes the sub-preferred channel that the device expects to use, and the supported channel list of the device includes all channels supported by the device. Ultimately, the group owner (GroupOwner, GO, for example, the wireless device 10) in the P2P network will determine the first channel CA from the available channels based on this information. For example, in Figure 3 In the example, the first channel CA is determined to be CH36. After the wireless device 10 and the first communication device 11 establish a P2P connection via the first channel CA (=CH36), when a new network connection is subsequently established, the enhanced channel selection algorithm for different network types provided by the present invention is used to select a suitable channel for the new network connection.

[0024] In one embodiment, the second network is a station-to-access point (STA-AP) network. The wireless device 10 performs a scanning operation to discover multiple APs on multiple available channels. Each AP has a corresponding operating channel. For example, the wireless device 10 scans multiple APs operating on channels CH1, CH36, CH52, CH100, and CH144. The wireless device 10 then finds a suitable AP from these APs and establishes a connection with it. Specifically, the wireless device 10 first generates multiple scores corresponding to the multiple APs based on a conventional channel selection algorithm. This conventional channel selection algorithm does not consider the presence of CA on the first channel (i.e., does not consider the potential for MCC scenarios). Each score is associated with a corresponding AP and a corresponding channel. For example, the wireless device 10 generates a score for each AP. Each score is weighted based on multiple factors, such as the AP's signal strength, the number of devices connected to the AP, and / or the security of the AP. Each score represents a numerical value indicating the desirability of connecting to the corresponding AP. In the proposed enhanced channel selection algorithm, the wireless device 10 further adjusts at least one of the initially obtained scores based on the first channel to update the initially obtained scores, thereby reducing the potential for the wireless device 10 to operate in MCC mode. For example, the wireless device 10 reduces at least one score corresponding to at least one AP based on a weighting factor (e.g., a weighting factor greater than 0 and less than 1). Finally, the wireless device 10 selects the AP with the highest score based on the updated scores and establishes a connection with the AP with the highest score via its operating channel.

[0025] In the first scenario, if the wireless device 10 has only a single RF transceiver path, the wireless device 10 may reduce at least one score corresponding to at least one AP whose operating channel is different from the first channel CA based on a weighting factor. For example, in a scenario where multiple APs operating on channels CH1, CH36, CH52, CH100, and CH144 are scanned, and the first channel CA is CH36, at least one score corresponding to at least one AP operating on one of channels CH1, CH52, CH100, and CH144 will be adjusted. For example, the score may be adjusted by multiplying the original score by 0.7 (using 0.7 as an example weighting factor). This adjustment is intended to reduce the likelihood that the wireless device 10 will select an AP corresponding to a channel different from the first channel CA (=CH36), thereby reducing the likelihood that the wireless device 10 will operate in MCC mode / scenario. This is because the applicant has discovered that operating in MCC mode requires the wireless device 10 to frequently switch channels, resulting in performance degradation. Therefore, based on the updated scores, the second channel CB is determined to be the channel with the highest score among the updated scores. For example, the wireless device 10 selects the AP with the highest score from the multiple APs based on the multiple updated scores. Thus, the operating channel of the AP with the highest score is determined to be the second channel CB, for example, CH36. This enhanced channel selection algorithm effectively prevents the wireless device 10 from operating in MCC mode. After using the enhanced channel selection algorithm to determine the appropriate second channel CB (= CH36), the wireless device 10 can establish a second connection with the second communication device 12 via the second channel CB (= CH36). The wireless device 10 will then operate in SCC mode, thereby improving transmission delay and throughput in concurrent networks.

[0026] In the second scenario, if the wireless device 10 has multiple RF transceiver paths, the wireless device 10 reduces at least one score corresponding to at least one AP operating on a different channel than the first channel CA but in the same frequency band as the first channel CA. This embodiment describes a scenario where the wireless device 10 has multiple RF transceiver paths, meaning that the wireless device 10 can also operate in dual-band dual concurrent (DBDC) mode. In DBDC mode, the wireless device 10 can transmit and receive data on two different frequency bands simultaneously / concurrently. In the proposed enhanced channel selection algorithm, to reduce interference and maintain optimal performance, the wireless device 10 reduces the raw score of APs operating on channels different from the first channel CA but in the same frequency band as the first channel (e.g., channels CH52, CH100, and CH144). This adjustment helps select APs operating in a different frequency band than the first channel CA or on the same channel as the first channel CA, thereby making the wireless device 10 more likely to operate in SCC mode or DBDC mode.

[0027] In another embodiment, the second network is a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. In the P2P network, when the wireless device 10 desires to establish a P2P connection with the second communication device 12, the wireless device 10 negotiates with the second communication device 12 to obtain a preferred channel, a preferred channel list, and a supported channel list between the wireless device 10 and the second communication device 12. The wireless device 10 then determines a second channel for establishing the network connection based on the preferred channel, the preferred channel list, and the supported channel list between the wireless device 10 and the second communication device 12. In one embodiment, if the wireless device 10 includes only a single RF transceiver path, the preferred channel of the wireless device 10 is set to the first channel (i.e., the channel used by the existing network connection). In another embodiment, if the wireless device 10 includes multiple radio frequency (RF) transceiver paths, the preferred channel of the wireless device 10 is set to one (e.g., CH 149) of a first channel (e.g., CH 36) and a third channel (e.g., CH 149), the third channel being different from the first channel and being in a different frequency band than the first channel, and the preferred channel list of the wireless device 10 includes the other of the first channel and the third channel (e.g., CH 36).

[0028] For example, during the negotiation process, the wireless device 10 and the second communication device 12 may decide which device will assume the role of Group Owner (GO) and which will assume the role of Group Client (GC). This decision may be based on factors such as device capabilities, power levels, or device preferences. If the wireless device 10 is the GO, then if the second communication device 12 also supports the wireless device 10's preferred channel (e.g., the wireless device 10's preferred channel is also included in any of the second communication device 12's preferred channels, preferred channel list, and supported channel list), the wireless device 10 may select its preferred channel as the second channel CB. Therefore, the second channel CB used to establish the new connection is determined to be the same as the first channel (e.g., CH36). This may enable an SCC scenario for the wireless device 10, in which both connections operate on the same channel (CA=CB=CH36). In another embodiment, if the wireless device 10 includes multiple radio frequency (RF) transceiver paths, the preferred channel of the wireless device 10 is set to one of a first channel and a third channel that is different from the first channel and in a different frequency band than the first channel, and the preferred channel list of the wireless device includes the other of the first and third channels. For example, if the first channel is CH36, CH149 and CH36 are channels in different frequency bands and are FDD channels of each other. Therefore, the preferred channel of the wireless device 10 can be set to one of the first channel (e.g., CH36) and the third channel (e.g., CH149) (e.g., CH149), and the preferred channel list of the wireless device 10 can include the other of the first channel (e.g., CH36) and the third channel (e.g., CH149) (e.g., CH36). If the wireless device 10 is acting as the GO, assuming that the wireless device 10's preferred channel is also supported by the second communication device 12 (e.g., the wireless device 10's preferred channel is also included in any of the second communication device 12's preferred channels, preferred channel list, and supported channel list), the wireless device 10 may select its own preferred channel as the second channel CB. Therefore, the second channel CB used to establish the new connection is determined to be the third channel (e.g., CH149). This enables a DBDC scenario for the wireless device 10, in which two connections operate on channels in different frequency bands.

[0029] In an embodiment of a P2P network, wireless device 10 and second communication device 12 follow a series of steps in the P2P protocol to establish a P2P connection. The enhanced channel selection algorithm proposed in this invention enables SCC or DBDC scenarios for optimal performance. In SCC mode, wireless device 10 maintains its existing connection with first communication device 11 on first channel CA=CH36 while establishing a connection with second communication device 12 on the same channel (second channel CB=CH36). If wireless device 10 supports DBDC mode, wireless device 10 can also establish a second connection with second communication device 12 via second channel CB=CH149. These steps are intended to optimize P2P connections by selecting channels that support SCC or FDD mode, depending on the wireless device's hardware capabilities and preferences.

[0030] In another embodiment, the second network is a Service Access Point (SAP) network. As will be appreciated, a SAP network is a network feature (commonly known as a soft AP) that allows a device in an open hotspot to act as a wireless access point (AP), allowing other devices to connect to it and share a network connection. Specifically, during a conventional connection process, the device in an open hotspot scans all available channels and selects the best channel to establish a hotspot based on a conventional channel selection algorithm. Conventional channel selection algorithms use criteria such as channel quality, interference level, and security. However, in the proposed enhanced channel selection algorithm, the wireless device 10 directly determines the second channel CB without performing a scan, ensuring that the wireless device 10 operates in single channel contention (SCC) mode or frequency division duplex (FDD) mode. For example, if the wireless device 10 has only a single RF transceiver path, the second channel CB is directly determined to be the same as the first channel (i.e., CB = CA = CH36), without performing a scan. If the wireless device 10 has multiple RF transceiver paths, the second channel CB is directly determined to be one of the first channel CA and the third channel, also without performing a scan. In this embodiment of the present invention, the third channel (e.g., CH149) is different from the first channel (CH36) and is in a different frequency band than the first channel CA. It can be understood that the third channel and the first channel are FDD channels of each other. Similarly, by avoiding the multi-channel concurrent (MCC) scenario, the second channel CB can be appropriately determined without performing scanning, enabling the wireless device 10 to operate in SCC mode and dual-band dual-concurrency (DBDC) mode. Therefore, through the enhanced channel selection algorithm, the channel management system 100 provides improved throughput and reduced latency while saving scanning time and resources.

[0031] The purpose of the above embodiment is to appropriately select the second channel CB while taking into account the presence of channels already used by existing connections. This increases the likelihood that the wireless device 10 will operate in SCC mode or DBDC mode and reduces the probability of operating in MCC mode (in which at least two different channels share a single RF transceiver path), thereby effectively reducing latency and increasing throughput. As described above, the enhanced channel selection algorithm can be exemplarily listed in Table T1. It should be noted that Table 1 only illustrates key parts of the enhanced channel selection algorithm.

[0032]

[0033]

[0034] Table T1

[0035] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the channel management system 100 switching the first channel CA to the third channel CC. Figure 4 In this example, it is assumed that the wireless device 10 is already operating in an MCC scenario, which can result in performance degradation. Several reasons may cause the wireless device 10 to enter an MCC scenario. For example, in some embodiments, after first channel CA is configured, if the user framework does not allow the dynamic allocation or modification of the second channel CB in the second network, this may result in an MCC scenario. In another scenario, after first channel CA is configured, if the wireless device 10 is forced to connect to a specific channel as the second channel CB, this may also result in an MCC scenario. In other embodiments, even if an enhanced channel selection algorithm is used, if available APs are limited, the wireless device 10 may still connect to an AP that results in an MCC scenario (i.e., the lowered score may still be the highest score among the updated multiple scores). Therefore, embodiments of the present invention further provide a switching mechanism for switching the wireless device 10 from MCC mode to SCC mode or DBDC mode for scenarios where the wireless device 10 is operating in MCC mode. For example, after considering the existence of the channel used by the later established connection, the channel used by the earlier established connection can be switched to another channel (such as the third channel). In the process of selecting the third channel, the channel used by the later established connection (such as the second channel) is considered to be the channel used by the existing connection, and thus the third channel is selected based on the enhanced channel selection algorithm (considering the existence of the second channel). For ease of explanation and understanding, Figure 4 An example is given in which the wireless device 10 has only a single transceiver path.

[0036] exist Figure 4In the example, wireless device 10 initially establishes a connection with first communication device 11 in a first network via first channel CA (= CH36), and establishes a connection with second communication device 12 in a second network via second channel CB (= CH44), which results in wireless device 10 operating in MCC mode. When wireless device 10 operates in MCC mode / scenario, the channel management system 100 (specifically, wireless device 10) may be triggered to perform a reassessment process. During the reassessment process, overall performance is improved by switching wireless device 10 from the MCC scenario to the SCC scenario or the DBDC scenario. In an embodiment of the present invention, various concurrent networks will use the specifications of their existing protocols to switch the "original" first channel CA to a different channel (e.g., the third channel CC). The following are examples of specific protocols provided for different types of networks.

[0037] In one embodiment, at least one of the first network and the second network is a station-access point (STA-AP) network. For example, if the first network is a STA-AP network, in this example, when the wireless device 10 operates in the MCC mode, the wireless device 10 may select a third channel (which is the operating channel of the third communication device) by using an enhanced selection algorithm, taking into account that a connection has been established on the second channel. The wireless device 10 may send a request to the third communication device (e.g., another AP determined by the enhanced channel selection algorithm, Figure 4The wireless device 10 then sends a reassociation request frame (not shown). If the reassociation request frame is accepted, the wireless device 10 will receive a reassociation response frame from the third communication device. As a result, the operating channel of the STA-AP network is switched from the first channel to the third channel. It can be understood that the wireless device 10 is switched to establish a connection with the third communication device in the STA-AP network. In this embodiment, if the wireless device 10 has only a single RF transceiver path, the first channel CA (=CH36) can be switched to the third channel CC, which is the same as the second channel CB (=CH44), so that the wireless device 10 operates in single channel contention (SCC) mode. In another embodiment, if the wireless device has multiple RF transceiver paths, the first channel CA (=CH36) can be switched to a third channel CC (=CH149) that is different from the second channel CB (=CH44) and in a different frequency band, so that the wireless device 10 operates in dual-band dual concurrent (DBDC) mode. Alternatively, the first channel CA (=CH36) can be switched to the same third channel CC (=CH44) as the second channel CB (=CH44), so that the wireless device 10 operates in SCC mode. In this embodiment, the third channel can be determined by an enhanced channel selection algorithm that considers the channels used by existing connections (e.g., the second channel CB), where the operating channel of the third communication device (e.g., with the highest score) is the third channel. In short, when the wireless device 10 operates in multi-channel concurrent (MCC) mode, the operating channel in the STA-AP network can be switched through a reassociation procedure in the STA-AP network, preferably switching the wireless device 10 from MCC mode to SCC mode or DBDC mode. Therefore, the channel management system 100 can provide a more efficient, faster, and potentially more energy-efficient network experience.

[0038] In another embodiment, at least one of the first network and the second network is a point-to-point (P2P) network. When the wireless device 10 operates in MCC mode, the wireless device 10 can switch the operating channel in the P2P network through a channel switch request and announcement mechanism (defined in the current Wi-Fi Direct protocol) to switch the wireless device 10 from MCC mode to SCC mode or DBDC mode. For example, when the wireless device 10 operates in MCC mode, the first communication device 11 can be triggered to generate an extended channel switch announcement (ECSA) frame or CSA frame carrying information about a third channel CC (e.g., CC=CB=CH44) to cause the wireless device 10 to operate in SCC mode. The ECSA / CSA frame is a signal used to announce that the basic service set (BSS) is switching to a new channel in the same or new operating category. For example, the ECSA / CSA frame includes the operating category and channel number of the new channel. The ECSA / CSA element is included in the ECSA / CSA frame, and the format of the ECSA / CSA element is shown in Table T2.

[0039]

[0040] Table T2

[0041] The wireless device 10 receives an ECSA frame (or CSA frame) from the first communication device 11. As previously described, for both the wireless device 10 and the first communication device 11, either device can play the role of a group owner (GO) or a group client (GC). The GO acts as a central coordinator, similar to an access point (AP), while the GC is connected to the GO. In this embodiment, the GO can switch the first channel CA to the third channel CC, which is the same as the second channel CB, using an ECSA frame (or CSA frame). For example, the GO switches the "original" first channel CA (=CH36) to the third channel CC = CH44 using an ECSA / CSA frame, thereby switching the wireless device 10 from an MCC scenario to an SCC scenario (CB = CC = CH44). Similarly, in another embodiment, when the wireless device 10 operates in MCC mode, the operating channel in the P2P network can be switched using the Channel Switch Request and Announcement mechanism in the P2P protocol to switch the wireless device 10 from MCC mode to DBDC mode. By doing so, the wireless device 10 can use channels in different frequency bands and different transceiver paths to transmit signals for different networks.

[0042] In yet another embodiment, at least one of the first and second networks is a service access point (SAP) network. When the wireless device 10 is operating in MCC mode, the operating channel in the SAP network can be switched via a channel switch request and announcement mechanism to switch the wireless device 10 from MCC mode to SCC mode or DBDC mode. Based on an extended channel switch announcement (ECSA) or CSA, the first channel (CA) between the wireless device 10 and the first communication device 11 can be switched to a third channel (CC). For example, based on the ECSA, the wireless device 10 switches the first channel (CA) (=CH36) to the third channel (CC) (=CH44) to operate in SCC mode, or switches the first channel (CA) (=CH36) to the third channel (CC) (=CH149) to operate in DBDC mode. In this embodiment, the ECSA / CSA allows for coordinated channel switching within the SAP network, enabling a seamless transition from MCC to SCC or FDD scenarios, thereby improving performance.

[0043] In the above embodiment, when the wireless device 10 operates in MCC mode, the third channel may be determined using an enhanced channel selection algorithm that takes into account the existence of channels used by other existing network connections. The purpose of the above embodiment is to maximize the conversion of MCC scenarios, where two different channels share a single RF transceiver path, into SCC or FDD scenarios by appropriately switching from the first channel (CA) to the third channel (CC). This can reduce transmission delay and increase throughput. The protocol message for changing the AP / channel may be as shown in Table T3.

[0044]

[0045] Table T3

[0046] The latency and throughput performance benefits of transitioning a wireless device 10 from an MCC scenario to an SCC scenario or a DBDC / FDD scenario are significant. In one embodiment of the channel management system 100, "channel switching time = 3.5 ms" and "MCC quota time = 50 ms" are assumed as pre-set conditions. Regarding the channel switching time, it takes 3.5 milliseconds for a wireless device 10 (e.g., a mobile phone) to switch from one Wi-Fi channel to another. This is a critical parameter, as frequent channel switching introduces overhead and latency. Regarding the MCC quota time, it is the time allocation for connecting to two networks on two different channels, assuming the wireless device 10 operates in an MCC scenario. Each network is allocated a 50-millisecond time quota for data transmission. After this quota is exhausted, the wireless device 10 switches to another channel on the other network, incurring the channel switching overhead. For the MCC scenario, the average latency is 23 milliseconds, and the maximum latency is 55 milliseconds. When the wireless device 10 operates in MCC mode, the total throughput (T-put) of the channel management system 100 is 7% lower than the highest T-put achieved when the wireless device 10 operates in SCC mode.

[0047] For the SCC scenario or DBDC scenario, the latency is reduced to 5 milliseconds. The average latency improvement is up to 78%. The maximum latency improvement is up to 90%. This is because when the wireless device 10 operates in SCC or DBDC mode, it can eliminate the need for channel switching, reducing latency. In addition, when operating in SCC mode, the total T-put achieved is equivalent to the peak T-put. In addition, this total T-put is 7% higher than when operating in MCC mode. In addition, the total T-put achieved when the wireless device 10 operates in DBDC mode is twice the peak T-put. Compared to the SCC scenario, this enhancement means a 115% increase in T-put. The significant throughput enhancement in DBDC mode is attributed to the wireless device's ability to use two independent frequency bands simultaneously. This simultaneous operation effectively doubles the bandwidth available for data transmission, resulting in a significant increase in overall throughput.

[0048] In the channel management system 100, when there are more than two networks (e.g., three), channel selection for a new network connection will consider the existence of channels previously used by existing connections (e.g., considering the existence of channels already used by existing connections), thereby prioritizing the wireless device 10 to maintain SCC mode or DBDC mode. Similarly, in scenarios where two network connections already exist, new channel selection will be based on the same concepts described above, preferably operating in SCC / DBDC mode. For example, if the previous two channels used the same channel (e.g., CA=CB=CH36), the new channel may be preferably determined to be the same channel (e.g., CH36) to maintain the SCC scenario. If, in a DBDC scenario, the previous two channels used different frequency bands (e.g., CA=36 and CB=CH149), the new channel may be preferably determined to be another channel in a different frequency band from the previous two channels to implement DBDC mode, or may be preferably determined to be one of the two channels to implement DBDC / SCC mode, depending on the hardware capabilities of the wireless device 10. In short, the selection of new channels will also make the wireless device try to stay in SCC or FDD scenario to improve overall performance and reduce latency.

[0049] Figure 5 1 is a flow chart illustrating a wireless device 10 executing a channel management method for concurrent networks. The channel management method for concurrent networks includes steps S501 and S502. Any modifications to the basic concept of the present invention are within the scope of the embodiments. Steps S501 and S502 are as follows.

[0050] Step S501: Establish a first connection with a first communication device 11 in a first network via a first channel CA.

[0051] Step S502: Establish a second connection with the second communication device 12 in a second network via a second channel CB, wherein the second network is the same as or different from the first network.

[0052] The details of steps S501 and S502 have been previously described and are therefore omitted here. In channel management system 100, when selecting an AP or appropriate channel for a new network connection, the enhanced channel selection algorithm proposed by the present invention can reduce the likelihood of MCC scenarios occurring in wireless device 10, thereby optimizing Wi-Fi network performance in scenarios where multiple networks operate concurrently. The enhanced channel selection algorithm prioritizes SCC or DBDC scenarios, for example, where multiple networks operate on the same channel in the same frequency band or on different channels in different frequency bands, to reduce channel switching and latency.

[0053] In summary, embodiments of the present invention disclose a channel management system / device and a channel management method for concurrent networks. The channel management system / device and method are intended to solve the MCC scenario problem in Wi-Fi networks (two different channels sharing a single radio frequency (RF) transceiver path will result in reduced throughput and increased latency). The main idea is to give priority to SCC or DBDC scenarios when determining channels for new network connections, reducing the use of MCC scenarios. This method aims to establish connections through the same channel (corresponding to SCC mode) or different channels on different frequency bands (corresponding to DBDC mode) to reduce channel switching overhead. The enhanced channel selection algorithm takes into account the existence of previous channels used by existing connections when determining channels for new network connections, reducing the risk of falling into MCC scenarios. Therefore, the channel management system and method bring several advantages in multi-network concurrent scenarios, including reduced latency, increased throughput, and improved overall system performance.

[0054] Although the present invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar configurations (as will be apparent to those skilled in the art), for example, combinations or substitutions of different features from different embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar configurations.

Claims

1. A channel management method for a concurrent network, performed by a wireless device, comprising: establishing a first connection with a first communication device in a first network via a first channel; as well as establishing a second connection with a second communication device in a second network via a second channel, wherein the second network is the same as or different from the first network; The second channel is determined by an enhanced channel selection algorithm that takes into account the existence of the first channel through which the first connection has been established.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The second network is a station-access point (STA-AP) network, and the method further comprises: performing a scanning operation to discover a plurality of APs, wherein each of the plurality of APs has a corresponding operating channel; generating a plurality of scores corresponding to the plurality of APs according to a conventional channel selection algorithm, wherein the conventional channel selection algorithm does not consider the presence of the first channel, each score in the plurality of scores being associated with a corresponding AP and a corresponding channel; and adjusting at least one score corresponding to at least one AP among the plurality of APs based on the first channel to update the plurality of scores; Based on the multiple updated scores, the second channel is determined to be the channel corresponding to the highest score.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: Adjusting at least one score corresponding to at least one AP among the plurality of APs based on the first channel includes: At least one score corresponding to the at least one AP is reduced based on a weight factor, wherein the weight factor is greater than 0 and less than 1.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: Adjusting at least one score corresponding to the at least one AP based on the first channel further includes: If the wireless device includes only a single radio frequency (RF) transceiver path, reducing the fraction corresponding to APs whose operating channels are different from the first channel; or If the wireless device includes multiple RF transceiver paths, the fraction corresponding to the AP whose operating channel is different from the first channel and is in the same frequency band as the first channel is reduced.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The second network is a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, the wireless device includes only a single RF transceiver path, and the method further comprises: acquiring a preferred channel, a preferred channel list, and a supported channel list between the wireless device and the second communication device, wherein the preferred channel of the wireless device is set to the first channel; The second channel is determined based on the preferred channel between the wireless device and the second communication device, the preferred channel list, and the supported channel list.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein: The second network is a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, the wireless device includes a plurality of RF transceiver paths, and the method further comprises: acquiring a preferred channel, a preferred channel list, and a supported channel list between the wireless device and the second communication device, wherein the preferred channel of the wireless device is set to one of the first channel and a third channel, the preferred channel list of the wireless device includes the other of the first channel and the third channel, and the third channel is different from the first channel and is in a different frequency band from the first channel; The second channel is determined based on the preferred channel between the wireless device and the second communication device, the preferred channel list, and the supported channel list.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein: The second network is a service access point SAP network; If the wireless device includes only a single RF transceiver path, the second channel is directly determined to be the same as the first channel without performing a scan; or If the wireless device includes multiple RF transceiver paths, the second channel is directly determined to be one of the first channel and a third channel without performing scanning, wherein the third channel is different from the first channel and is in a different frequency band than the first channel.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein: At least one of the first network and the second network is a station-access point (STA-AP) network, and the method further includes: When the wireless device operates in a multi-channel concurrent MCC mode, the operating channel in the STA-AP network is switched through a reassociation procedure to switch the wireless device from the MCC mode to a single-channel contention SCC mode or a dual-band dual-concurrent DBDC mode.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein: At least one of the first network and the second network is a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, and the method further comprises: When the wireless device operates in the MCC mode, the operating channel in the P2P network is switched through a channel switching request and announcement mechanism to switch the wireless device from the MCC mode to a single channel contention SCC mode or a dual-band dual concurrent DBDC mode.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein: At least one of the first network and the second network is a Service Access Point (SAP) network, and the method further comprises: When the wireless device operates in the MCC mode, the operating channel in the SAP network is switched through a channel switching request and announcement mechanism to switch the wireless device from the MCC mode to a single channel contention SCC mode or a dual-band dual concurrent DBDC mode.

11. A wireless device comprising: at least one transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly; as well as A processor is coupled to the at least one transceiver and is configured to perform the following operations, including: establishing a first connection with a first communication device in a first network via a first channel; and establishing a second connection with a second communication device in a second network via a second channel, wherein the second network is the same as or different from the first network; The second channel is determined by an enhanced channel selection algorithm that takes into account the existence of the first channel through which the first connection has been established.

12. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein: The second network is a station-access point (STA-AP) network, and the processor is further configured to perform the following operations, including: performing a scanning operation to discover a plurality of APs, wherein each of the plurality of APs has a corresponding operating channel; generating a plurality of scores corresponding to the plurality of APs according to a conventional channel selection algorithm, wherein the conventional channel selection algorithm does not consider the presence of the first channel, each score in the plurality of scores being associated with a corresponding AP and a corresponding channel; and adjusting at least one score corresponding to at least one AP among the plurality of APs based on the first channel to update the plurality of scores; Based on the multiple updated scores, the second channel is determined to be the channel corresponding to the highest score.

13. The wireless device of claim 12, wherein: Adjusting at least one score corresponding to at least one AP among the plurality of APs based on the first channel includes: At least one score corresponding to the at least one AP is reduced based on a weight factor, wherein the weight factor is greater than 0 and less than 1.

14. The wireless device of claim 13, wherein: Adjusting at least one score corresponding to the at least one AP based on the first channel further includes: If the wireless device includes only a single RF transceiver path, reducing the fraction corresponding to APs whose operating channels are different from the first channel; or If the wireless device has multiple RF transceiver paths, the fraction corresponding to the AP whose operating channel is different from the first channel but in the same frequency band as the first channel is reduced.

15. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein: The second network is a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, the wireless device includes only a single RF transceiver path, and the processor is further configured to: acquiring a preferred channel, a preferred channel list, and a supported channel list between the wireless device and the second communication device, wherein the preferred channel of the wireless device is set to the first channel; The second channel is determined based on the preferred channel between the wireless device and the second communication device, the preferred channel list, and the supported channel list.

16. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein: The second network is a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, the wireless device includes a plurality of RF transceiver paths, and the processor is further configured to: acquiring a preferred channel, a preferred channel list, and a supported channel list between the wireless device and the second communication device, wherein the preferred channel of the wireless device is set to one of the first channel and a third channel, the preferred channel list of the wireless device includes the other of the first channel and the third channel, and the third channel is different from the first channel and is in a different frequency band from the first channel; The second channel is determined based on the preferred channel between the wireless device and the second communication device, the preferred channel list, and the supported channel list.

17. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein: The second network is a service access point SAP network; If the wireless device includes only a single RF transceiver path, the second channel is directly determined to be the same as the first channel without performing a scan; or If the wireless device includes multiple RF transceiver paths, the second channel is directly determined to be one of the first channel and a third channel without performing scanning, wherein the third channel is different from the first channel and is in a different frequency band than the first channel.

18. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein: At least one of the first network and the second network is a station-access point (STA-AP) network, and when the wireless device operates in a multi-channel concurrent MCC mode, an operating channel in the STA-AP network is switched through a reassociation procedure to switch the wireless device from the MCC mode to a single-channel contention (SCC) mode or a dual-band dual-concurrent (DBDC) mode.

19. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein: At least one of the first network and the second network is a point-to-point (P2P) network, and when the wireless device operates in an MCC mode, an operating channel in the P2P network is switched through a channel switch request and announcement mechanism to switch the wireless device from the MCC mode to a single-channel contention (SCC) mode or a dual-band dual-concurrent (DBDC) mode.

20. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein At least one of the first network and the second network is a service access point (SAP) network, and, when the wireless device operates in an MCC mode, an operating channel in the SAP network is switched through a channel switch request and announcement mechanism to switch the wireless device from the MCC mode to a single channel contention (SCC) mode or a dual-band dual concurrent (DBDC) mode.

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