Wireless Access Point Quiet Message Channel Reservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Low power wireless devices face challenges in coexisting with legacy WiFi devices due to high power consumption and bandwidth requirements, as existing WiFi networks are not optimized for their needs, leading to inefficiencies and interference.
Innovation Solution
A wireless access point manages communication channels by sending quiet messages to legacy devices, reserving bandwidth for low power devices, using a narrower channel bandwidth and simpler modulation schemes, allowing low power devices to communicate during quiet periods without interference from legacy devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If low power devices use standard WiFi bandwidth and data rates, then they can communicate on the network, but their power consumption becomes too high for low power operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical layer parameters by implementing a new PHY specification with narrower channel bandwidth (1.25 MHz or 2.5 MHz compared to standard 20 MHz) and lower data rates (e.g., 115 kbps, 230 kbps, or 460 kbps compared to standard 6 Mbps minimum). These parameter changes directly reduce power consumption while maintaining network connectivity for low power devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the WiFi network into two distinct PHY layers: a first PHY for legacy high-power devices and a second PHY for low-power devices. This segmentation allows each device type to operate with optimized parameters - legacy devices use standard 20 MHz bandwidth and higher data rates, while low-power devices use narrower bandwidth and lower data rates, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and data transmission capability
2Use of energy by moving object
If low power devices use narrower channel bandwidth and lower data rates, then power consumption is reduced, but coexistence problems arise with legacy WiFi devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into two PHY specifications operating in different spectral domains. The first PHY uses standard 20 MHz channels for legacy devices, while the second PHY uses narrower 1.25 MHz or 2.5 MHz channels. This segmentation prevents interference by assigning different frequency resources to different device types, ensuring reliable coexistence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a PHY layer as an intermediary between the MAC layer and the physical transmission medium. This PHY layer translates MAC layer frames into physical layer transmissions appropriate for the device type. The PHY acts as a mediator that enables low-power devices to communicate effectively on the WiFi network without disrupting legacy device operations, resolving coexistence problems
3Use of energy by moving object
If a new PHY specification is implemented for low power devices, then power efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the second PHY specification to be universally applicable to all low-power wireless devices regardless of their specific function or manufacturer. The PHY provides multi-functionality by supporting various data rates (115, 230, 460 kbps) and channel bandwidths (1.25, 2.5 MHz) within a single framework. This universality reduces implementation complexity compared to device-specific solutions while maintaining power efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are directed to a wireless access point capable of reserving a wireless communication channel by sending a quiet message to multiple legacy devices. The quiet message may include data identifying periodic quiet durations during which the legacy devices cannot access the wireless communication channel. The wireless access point may send a polling schedule to the multiple low power wireless devices. The polling schedule may include data identifying the periodic quiet durations. The wireless access point may then poll the multiple low power wireless devices during the periodic quiet durations. The low power wireless devices can exchange data with the wireless access point during the quiet durations. The quiet message sent to the legacy devices guarantees that the legacy devices will not use the specified channel during the quiet durations. Thus, communications with the low power wireless devices may occur without interference from the legacy devices.