Access Point Channel Coordination for Wireless QoS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrastructure and non-infrastructure wireless networks often interfere with each other when using the same channels, leading to quality of service (QoS) goals not being met for critical traffic.
Innovation Solution
An access point that coordinates infrastructure and non-infrastructure communications by determining unused channels and communicating this information to devices through beacons, allowing them to use these channels for non-infrastructure communications while reserving other channels for critical traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If infrastructure networks reserve channels for critical traffic to meet QoS requirements, then quality of service for critical traffic is improved, but non-infrastructure networks cannot use these channels for direct communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless spectrum into multiple channels and dynamically assigns different channels to infrastructure and non-infrastructure networks based on real-time conditions. The access point divides available channels and uses channel usage elements in beacons to indicate which channels are available for each network type, preventing interference while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts channel assignments based on current network conditions. The access point continuously monitors channel usage and updates channel availability information in beacons, allowing the network to adapt channel allocations in real-time to balance QoS requirements for critical traffic with communication needs for non-infrastructure networks.
2Ease of operation
If non-infrastructure networks use the same channels as infrastructure networks, then direct device-to-device communication is enabled, but interference with critical traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point acts as an intermediary that coordinates between infrastructure and non-infrastructure networks. It uses channel usage elements in beacons to communicate channel availability information to devices, enabling devices to select appropriate channels for direct communication while preventing interference with critical infrastructure traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the access point continuously monitors channel conditions and updates channel availability information in beacons. Devices receive this feedback and adjust their channel selections accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that prevents interference while maintaining direct communication capability.
3Productivity
If independent scheduling is used for infrastructure and non-infrastructure networks, then each network can optimize its own performance, but QoS goals cannot be met when channels overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the scheduling functions of infrastructure and non-infrastructure networks through the access point, which coordinates channel usage for both network types. The access point incorporates channel usage elements in beacons to communicate infrastructure network channel reservations to non-infrastructure devices, enabling coordinated scheduling that maintains QoS while preserving independent network optimization capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes an access point that coordinates infrastructure and non-infrastructure communications. The access point includes one or more memories and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories. The one or more processors determine that access points of an extended service set are refraining from using a first channel and communicate, to a first device, a first beacon comprising a channel usage element indicating that the first channel is available for the first device to use to communicate directly with a second device.