Access Point Synchronization Frame Transmission Logic
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems waste power and increase network load due to unnecessary synchronization frames, especially under restricted access window operations, where the overhead of synchronization frames is significant and not always beneficial.
Innovation Solution
An access point sends synchronization frames only when the channel is idle and the slot duration for the station is longer than a threshold value, or when cross-slot boundary transmission is allowed, thereby reducing unnecessary frame transmissions and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the AP sends synchronization frames at every slot boundary, then the STA can quickly synchronize to the medium, but the network overhead and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by sending synchronization frames only when necessary (when channel is idle and slot duration exceeds threshold) rather than at every slot boundary. This selective approach maintains adequate synchronization performance while significantly reducing the number of frames transmitted, thereby lowering power consumption and network overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic parameters including a threshold slot duration value and channel idle status detection. The decision to transmit synchronization frames is based on changing parameters (slot length, channel state) rather than a fixed periodic schedule, allowing the system to adapt to varying network conditions and reduce unnecessary transmissions.
2Loss of time
If the AP sends synchronization frames at every slot boundary, then the STA can quickly synchronize to the medium, but the network load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces network load by transmitting synchronization frames only partially (when conditions are met) rather than excessively at every slot boundary. This selective transmission maintains synchronization functionality while minimizing the quantity of control frames in the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of synchronization by sending frames only when truly needed, removing the unnecessary redundant transmissions. This extraction approach keeps the critical synchronization capability while eliminating the harmful excess network load.
3Loss of energy
If the AP refrains from sending synchronization frames to reduce overhead, then power consumption and network load decrease, but the STA waiting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter-based decision making (slot duration threshold, channel idle status) to dynamically adjust synchronization frame transmission. This ensures frames are sent when they will actually reduce STA waiting time, and omitted when they wouldn't provide benefit, thus optimizing both power consumption and synchronization speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through channel idle detection and slot duration evaluation. The AP continuously monitors channel conditions and slot parameters, using this feedback to decide whether transmitting a synchronization frame will be beneficial, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual network needs.
4Loss of time
If the AP sends synchronization frames regardless of channel status, then the STA can synchronize quickly, but unnecessary frames are transmitted when channel is busy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by checking channel idle status before transmitting synchronization frames. This preliminary check prevents the harmful action of transmitting frames when the channel is busy, avoiding unnecessary interference and transmissions that would not benefit the STA.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation of channel conditions and slot duration parameters before deciding to transmit synchronization frames. This preliminary action ensures that frames are only sent when conditions are favorable, preventing wasted transmissions and optimizing network efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method embodiments are provided for efficient channel synchronization. The embodiments enable a reduction in a stations power consumption and reduce network overhead for transmitting synchronization frames by refraining from sending the synchronization frame when it is not needed. In an embodiment, a method in an access point (AP) for synchronizing a station (STA) associated with the AP includes sending, by the AP, a first management frame that indicates a time slot that is allocated for the STA and sending a synchronization frame at a boundary of the time slot allocated for the STA if the AP determines that a channel is idle at the boundary of the time slot allocated for the STA and if the time slot that is allocated for the STA is longer than a first threshold value.