Wireless AP Scanning via Beacon Load Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current AP scanning methods in wireless communication systems are inefficient, requiring significant time and power consumption, especially in congested channels, which hinders quick access to the best available Access Point (AP) with the highest signal strength.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize load information from beacon frames to determine channel congestion, allowing for efficient scanning by prioritizing channels with low congestion and predicting beacon frame transmission times to optimize scanning operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If active scanning method is used to reduce scanning time, then scanning speed is improved, but additional probe request frames are transmitted increasing power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing passive scanning first to obtain beacon frames from APs before conducting active scanning. The beacon frames contain load information that allows the UE to pre-identify congested channels and avoid unnecessary active scanning on those channels, thereby reducing both scanning time and power consumption by eliminating redundant probe requests
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively performing active scanning only on non-congested channels identified through passive scanning, rather than performing active scanning on all channels. This partial approach reduces the number of probe request transmissions and minimizes power consumption while still achieving comprehensive AP discovery on viable channels
2Reliability
If scanning is performed on all channels to ensure complete AP discovery, then scanning completeness is improved, but scanning time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs passive scanning as a preliminary step to obtain beacon frames from all APs across all channels before conducting active scanning. This preliminary passive scan provides load information that enables the UE to identify and exclude congested channels from active scanning, ensuring that complete AP discovery is achieved on viable channels while reducing total scanning time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the channel scanning process into two distinct phases: a passive scanning phase to gather beacon frames and load information from all channels, and an active scanning phase limited to non-congested channels. This segmentation allows the system to maintain discovery completeness while reducing overall scanning time by excluding congested channels from the time-consuming active scanning phase
3Use of energy by moving object
If passive scanning method is used to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but scanning time increases due to periodic beacon reception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses passive scanning as a preliminary step to quickly obtain beacon frames and load information from APs. Although passive scanning alone would be time-consuming, it serves as an efficient first phase that provides sufficient information to identify non-congested channels, enabling subsequent rapid active scanning on those specific channels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges passive scanning and active scanning into a hybrid approach where passive scanning is performed first to gather beacon information, followed by targeted active scanning on non-congested channels. This combination leverages the low power consumption advantage of passive scanning for initial AP discovery while utilizing the faster response of active scanning for final AP selection on viable channels
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a method for scanning an Access Point (AP) in a wireless communication system. The method includes receiving a beacon frame from a proximity AP located within a proximity of a User Equipment (UE) and determining whether a channel where the proximity AP is located is congested; if the channel is not congested, scanning at least one AP operating on the channel, and searching for a first AP that can communicate with a highest signal strength; determining whether to perform re-scanning for an AP in the channel; if it is determined to perform the re-scanning, predicting a time that a beacon frame is to be transmitted from the first AP; receiving a beacon frame from the first AP at the predicted time, and determining whether the channel where the first AP is located is congested; and if the channel is not congested, re-scanning at least one AP operating on the channel.