Access Point Frame Processing for Virtual Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless local area networks (WLANs) with multiple virtual interfaces supported by a physical access point (AP), the processing of multicast/broadcast frames is inefficient due to repeated operations across all virtual interfaces, leading to resource wastage, especially in dense deployments.
Innovation Solution
A pre-processing operation is performed on frames addressed to multiple virtual interfaces at a protocol layer, common to all interfaces, followed by interface-specific operations, thereby reducing redundant processing and optimizing resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single physical access point supports multiple virtual interfaces, then device consolidation and service versatility are improved, but frame processing complexity and resource consumption increase due to repeated operations across all virtual interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments frame processing into two distinct phases: a first phase that performs common operations for all virtual interfaces, and a second phase that performs interface-specific operations. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple virtual interfaces efficiently by avoiding redundant processing in the first phase, thus reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining support for multiple services and interfaces.
2Reliability
If frame processing operations are performed for each virtual interface, then interface-specific processing requirements are met, but resource wastage occurs due to repeated common operations across all interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing all common frame processing operations in the first phase before dividing interfaces for specific processing. This preliminary completion of shared tasks (such as MAC layer processing) prevents redundant execution when handling multiple virtual interfaces, thereby reducing resource consumption while ensuring that interface-specific requirements are still met in the second phase.
3Manufacturing precision
If common operations are performed separately for each virtual interface, then processing accuracy is maintained, but processing time increases due to redundant operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges common processing operations across all virtual interfaces into a single unified first phase. By combining these redundant operations into one execution instance rather than repeating them for each interface, the system maintains processing accuracy through the structured two-phase approach while significantly reducing the total processing time required to handle frames for multiple virtual interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided for performing a frame processing operation on a broadcast/multicast frame at a physical access point (AP). A pre-processing operation is performed on the frame at a protocol layer between a physical layer and an upper layer of the AP to obtain a pre-processed frame. The pre-processing operation comprises a common operation to be performed for the plurality of virtual interfaces at the protocol layer. In this way, by performing a pre-processing operation common to the virtual interfaces supported by the physical AP, the consumption of resources caused by the performance of repeated operations in the frame processing operation can be reduced.