Wireless Access Point Beacon Management for Link Setup Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication networks face challenges in achieving fast initial link setup due to increased latency and network congestion caused by multiple devices attempting to connect simultaneously, leading to packet collisions and reduced network performance.
Innovation Solution
The system reduces signaling during link setup by transmitting and receiving network domain identifiers, broadcasting access response messages, and modifying beacon messages based on demand, allowing for efficient link establishment and reducing contention among devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple devices attempt to connect simultaneously to the network, then network availability is improved, but link setup latency increases and packet collisions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The access point performs preliminary actions by broadcasting beacon messages containing network domain identifiers before devices attempt to connect. Devices use these pre-broadcasted identifiers to quickly determine network availability and initiate link setup without waiting for individual responses, thereby reducing link setup latency while maintaining high network availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces network domain identifiers as intermediary elements that mediate between devices and the access point. These identifiers act as a common language that allows devices to quickly assess network availability and coordinate their connection attempts, reducing collisions and latency without requiring direct device-to-device negotiation.
2Reliability
If the access point responds to each access request individually, then connection reliability is improved, but network congestion increases and link setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point merges multiple individual access responses into a single broadcast beacon message containing network domain identifiers. This allows multiple devices to receive connection information simultaneously, improving link setup speed while maintaining connection reliability through the structured identifier system that ensures proper matching of devices to appropriate network domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon message serves multiple functions simultaneously: it announces network availability, provides domain identifiers for device classification, and enables parallel processing of access requests. This multi-functionality allows the access point to maintain reliability while significantly improving link setup speed by handling multiple devices in a single broadcast cycle.
3Speed
If the access point broadcasts beacon messages frequently, then device discovery speed is improved, but energy consumption increases and network bandwidth is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of information density in beacon messages by incorporating network domain identifiers that enable devices to process information more efficiently. This allows the access point to broadcast less frequently while devices still discover networks quickly, as the structured identifiers enable faster processing and matching even from periodic broadcasts, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring continuous real-time broadcasts, the system uses copied beacon messages with network domain identifiers that devices can cache and process asynchronously. This allows devices to maintain discovery capability without requiring constant access point transmission, reducing energy consumption while preserving fast device discovery through the use of replicated identifier information.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for communicating in a wireless communication system are described. Various processes for reducing the initial link set up time are described. In one aspect, a method in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes transmitting a message advertising wireless communication from an access point. The method further includes receiving a plurality of access requests from a plurality of devices. The method further includes determining demand for wireless communication based on the plurality of access requests. The method further includes modifying a broadcast of the message advertising the wireless communication based on the determined demand.