Access Point Service Discovery via Reserved Address Filtering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication networks face congestion and reduced throughput due to excessive probe responses from access points (APs) when multiple APs and stations (STAs) are densely deployed, leading to network performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where access points use reserved addresses and dedicated discovery channels to filter and consolidate responses, reducing unnecessary responses by only APs that recognize and support specific features or services, thereby minimizing network traffic and congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple access points are densely deployed to improve network coverage and capacity, then network coverage and potential throughput are improved, but network congestion and performance degradation occur due to excessive probe responses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the probe response mechanism by introducing reserved addresses that divide the response handling into specific categories. Instead of all APs responding to all probe requests, the system segments responses based on address recognition, where only APs with specific recognition of reserved addresses respond, thereby reducing overall response volume while maintaining coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reserved addresses as intermediaries between probe requests and probe responses. These reserved addresses act as mediators that filter and regulate which APs respond to which requests, reducing the excessive many-to-many response pattern that causes congestion in densely deployed networks.
2Loss of information
If all access points respond to probe requests to ensure service discovery completeness, then service discovery accuracy is improved, but network congestion and traffic overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential service discovery function from the universal probe response mechanism. By using reserved addresses, only APs that specifically recognize and support certain services respond to probes, extracting the necessary response information while eliminating unnecessary responses from APs that do not provide the requested services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of address recognition from generic to specific. Instead of using standard broadcast addresses where all APs respond, the system uses reserved addresses that change the response behavior parameter, allowing only APs with matching service capabilities to respond, thereby reducing traffic volume while maintaining discovery completeness.
3Productivity
If reserved addresses are used to filter probe responses, then network congestion is reduced, but device complexity increases due to address management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes reserved addresses multi-functional by designing them to serve multiple purposes: service identification, AP capability indication, and response filtering mechanism all in one. This universality reduces the need for separate management systems, as the reserved addresses themselves encode the filtering logic, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite the advanced functionality.
4Loss of time
If dedicated discovery channels are implemented for service advertisement, then service discovery efficiency is improved, but channel allocation complexity and network configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the service advertisement function with existing wireless communication channels by using reserved addresses within standard probe request/response frameworks. Instead of creating entirely separate dedicated discovery channels, the system combines service discovery with data communication channels, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining discovery efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus may be configured to transmit a request message to a plurality of access points. The request message may include an address reserved for at least one of an access point feature, an access point service, or an access point vendor. The apparatus may be configured to receive a response message from at least one access point of the plurality of access points. The response message may indicate that the at least one access point has the access point feature, is associated with the access point service, or is associated with the access point vendor.