AP Multi-Link Discovery Query-Response for Faster Roaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scanning for candidate access points in wireless communication systems is time and power consuming, and providing extensive discovery information in broadcast beacon transmissions has a large overhead cost.
Innovation Solution
A query-response framework is implemented for non-collocated access point multi-link devices, where a wireless device sends a query frame to an access point to request neighbor access point information, which is then provided in a response frame, allowing for focused and efficient access point discovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scanning for candidate access points is performed, then access point discovery capability is improved, but time consumption and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having access points pre-collect and store neighbor access point information, which is then made available through query-response mechanisms. This eliminates the need for stations to perform extensive scanning operations, as the information is prepared in advance and can be retrieved efficiently when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach where the serving access point acts as a mediator between stations and neighbor access points. Instead of direct scanning between stations and all potential access points, the serving AP intermediates by collecting, storing, and providing neighbor AP information through structured query-response exchanges, significantly reducing discovery time and power consumption.
2Loss of information
If extensive discovery information is provided in broadcast beacon transmissions, then access point information availability is improved, but overhead cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts neighbor access point information from traditional broadcast beacon transmissions and separates it into a dedicated query-response framework. Instead of including all neighbor AP information in every beacon, the system extracts only necessary information and provides it on-demand through targeted queries, significantly reducing beacon overhead while maintaining information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
Access points perform preliminary actions by pre-collecting and storing neighbor access point information in structured formats. This information is prepared in advance and organized for efficient retrieval, allowing stations to obtain comprehensive neighbor AP details through compact query-response exchanges rather than receiving all information in broadcast beacons.
3Productivity
If query-response framework is implemented for non-collocated access point multi-link devices, then computational and signaling costs are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal query-response framework that serves multiple functions: neighbor AP discovery, information verification, roaming assistance, and multi-link device coordination. This single framework handles various discovery scenarios and information requirements, reducing the need for separate mechanisms and actually simplifying the overall system despite the added query-response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where stations can query for specific neighbor AP information based on their needs, and access points provide targeted responses. This feedback-driven approach allows the system to adapt information provision to actual requirements, reducing unnecessary signaling and computational overhead while maintaining flexibility for different discovery scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to methods for performing a query and response exchange for access point multi-link device discovery in a wireless local area network. A query frame can be transmitted from a non-access point wireless device to an access point wireless device to request neighbor access point information for non-collocated neighbor access point multi-link devices. A response frame can be received by the non-access point wireless device from the access point wireless device. The response frame can provide the requested neighbor access point information for non-collocated neighbor access point multi-link devices.