AP AID Allocation Clustering for Beacon Frame Size Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless local region networks, efficient power management is challenging due to the dependence on battery power, and existing methods do not effectively minimize the size of the beacon frame and traffic indication map (TIM) information element, leading to increased power consumption and inefficient data transmission.

Innovation Solution

An access point (AP) is equipped with a type determiner and an association identification (AID) allocator that clusters AIDs based on power saving mechanism (PSM) usage, dividing allocation regions and managing them using an AID allocation bitmap (AAM) and management table (AMT) to minimize the size of the beacon frame and TIM information element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If AIDs are allocated to all STAs without clustering, then each STA can be individually identified, but the size of the beacon frame and TIM information element increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSTA identification accuracyVSAvoidbeacon frame size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the AID allocation space into multiple sub-allocation regions, each dedicated to specific STA types (e.g., power-saving STAs, non-power-saving STAs, IBSS STAs). This segmentation allows the TIM information element to efficiently represent only the relevant AID ranges needed for current STA types, reducing overall beacon frame size while maintaining precise STA identification capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If the beacon frame size is reduced by minimizing TIM information element, then power consumption decreases, but the ability to manage diverse STA types efficiently is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidSTA type management capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different AID allocation characteristics to different STA types through sub-allocation regions. Each region is optimized for its specific STA type requirements, allowing the system to manage diverse STA types efficiently while keeping the overall TIM information element compact. Power-saving STAs receive clustered AID allocations that minimize their impact on beacon frame size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Weight of moving object

If AIDs are clustered by STA type, then beacon frame size is minimized, but the complexity of AID allocation management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeacon frame sizeVSAvoidAID allocation management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining sub-allocation regions for different STA types before actual AID allocation occurs. The access point maintains management tables that pre-establish the structure and boundaries of these regions, allowing efficient AID assignment without complex real-time calculations. This preliminary structuring simplifies the allocation process while maintaining clustered AID organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9907019B2Access point (AP) for allocating association identification (AID) based on type of stations (STAS) and operation method of AP

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

Provided is an access point (AP) for providing wireless communication to a plurality of stations (STAs), the AP including a type determiner to determine a type of each of the plurality of STAs, and an association identification (AID) allocator to allocate AIDs to the plurality of STAs, respectively, based on the determined type such that AIDs corresponding to an identical type among the allocated AIDs are clustered.