Wireless Network Beacon Timing Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless networks face reduced usable air-time due to the random transmission of BSSID beacons by access points, which leads to interference and limited data transmission capacity, especially in high-density networks.
Innovation Solution
A method where multiple personalities of a wireless network are identified, each with a separate MAC address, and beacon types are assigned and consecutively transmitted with predetermined inter-frame spacing, significantly less than the air-time duration, to minimize air-time occupancy and optimize transmission timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If BSSID beacons are randomly transmitted by access points, then client devices can receive network information, but usable air-time is significantly reduced due to interference and collision avoidance protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beacon transmission process by dividing multiple BSSID beacons into different personality types (ESS, IBSS, WDS) and assigning them to different transmission slots within a beacon interval. This segmentation allows beacons to be transmitted in an organized sequence rather than randomly, reducing interference while maintaining network information dissemination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic beacon transmission by establishing fixed transmission intervals and slots for different beacon types. Each personality type is assigned a specific transmission slot within a periodic beacon interval, creating a predictable transmission pattern that reduces collisions and improves air-time utilization compared to random transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple BSSID beacons are transmitted with random spacing, then all network personalities can broadcast information, but the transmission air-time occupied becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments multiple BSSID beacons into distinct personality types (ESS, IBSS, WDS) and assigns each type to a specific transmission slot within a beacon interval. This segmentation enables multiple network personalities to coexist while constraining their transmission timing to prevent excessive air-time occupancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic beacon transmission timing where the transmission slot for each personality type can be adjusted based on network conditions and priority. The system dynamically selects which personalities transmit in each beacon interval, optimizing air-time usage while maintaining support for multiple network types.
3Reliability
If access points transmit BSSID beacons frequently, then client devices can continuously update network information, but the usable air-time for data transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic beacon transmission with fixed intervals, ensuring that network information is updated regularly while maintaining predictable transmission patterns. This periodic approach balances information freshness with air-time efficiency by concentrating beacon transmissions in specific slots rather than continuous transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transmits only the necessary beacon information for each personality type in dedicated slots, avoiding redundant transmissions. By transmitting partial beacon sets in each interval and selectively updating only changed information, the system maintains information freshness while minimizing air-time consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of a wireless network timing transmission of multiple BSSID beacons is disclosed. One method includes a method of a wireless access node within a wireless mesh network timing transmission of multiple BSSID beacons. The method includes the access node identifying multiple personalities of the wireless mesh network, wherein a separate MAC address corresponding with each of the personalities. The access node assigns a beacon type for each of the personalities. During each transmission frame, the access node consecutively transmits a plurality of the beacon types, wherein the different beacon types are consecutively spaced during transmission by a predetermined period. The predetermined period is substantially less than a time duration of each transmission frame.