AP-Assisted AP Transition for Sequence Number Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
During access point (AP) transitions in wireless communications, stations (STAs) face challenges in receiving downlink (DL) data buffered at the previous AP, maintaining sequence numbers, and applying consistent quality of service (QoS) settings, leading to data loss and inefficient data transfer.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of AP-assisted AP transition techniques, where STAs can control the forwarding of DL data, sequence number maintenance, and QoS settings by transmitting specific signals to the new AP, ensuring seamless data transfer and maintaining consistent QoS across APs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a station (STA) transitions from a first access point (AP) to a second AP, then the STA can improve connection reliability and data reception, but the STA may lose downlink (DL) data buffered at the first AP and experience sequence number discontinuity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the new AP (second AP) proactively retrieve and forward buffered DL data from the old AP (first AP) before the STA fully completes its transition. The new AP sends a data request to the old AP, which then forwards the buffered data frames to the new AP, ensuring data is available when the STA reconnects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the new AP as an intermediary mediator between the old AP and the STA during transition. The new AP receives buffered data from the old AP, maintains sequence number continuity, and forwards it to the STA, thereby preventing data loss and ensuring seamless connectivity without requiring the STA to directly communicate with both APs simultaneously.
2Productivity
If the STA transitions to a new AP, then the STA can maintain communication connectivity, but sequence number discontinuity occurs leading to data reordering issues
Solution Approach 1:
The new AP acts as an intermediary that receives sequence number information from the old AP and maintains continuous sequence numbering for forwarded data frames. This ensures sequence number stability and continuity throughout the transition process, preventing reordering issues at the STA.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the STA sends acknowledgment information back to the APs about received data frames. The APs use this feedback to track which frames have been successfully delivered and to maintain proper sequence numbering, ensuring data integrity during transition.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the STA transitions between APs, then the STA can access different network resources, but QoS settings become inconsistent leading to inefficient data transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by having the new AP inherit and apply the same QoS mapping rules that were configured for the STA at the old AP. This ensures consistent quality of service handling across different APs, allowing the STA to access various network resources while maintaining uniform data transfer efficiency and QoS guarantees.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for access point (AP)-assisted AP transition. Using AP-assisted AP transitions, when the STA is associated with a first access point (AP) and is transitioning to a second AP, a station (STA) can transmit to the second AP a control signal including a first indication for sequence number (SN) maintenance. The STA can receive from the second AP responsive to the first indication for SN maintenance, a first downlink (DL) transmission including a next SN. The next SN can be a continuation of an SN sequence utilized by the first AP for one or more previous DL transmissions.