BSS Color ID Assignment for Multi-Link WLAN Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN) standards face limitations in data throughput due to the non-globally unique and limited capacity of association identifiers (AIDs) and basic service set (BSS) color identifiers, leading to potential collisions and inefficient management of communication links across multiple frequency segments.
Innovation Solution
Assigning distinct BSS color identifiers and a single association identifier across multiple communication links, allowing simultaneous communication in multiple frequency segments, thereby reducing management overhead and improving data throughput by enabling flexible BSS color ID selection and efficient link management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If AIDs and partial AIDs are used to identify client stations in PHY preambles, then the identification function is achieved, but the identifier capacity is limited and collisions may occur due to non-globally unique properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identifier system into multiple components: BSS color identifiers for network identification, AIDs for client station identification within networks, and MAC addresses for global unique identification. This segmentation allows each identifier type to serve its specific purpose without the limitations of a single identifier system, resolving the contradiction between limited capacity and uniqueness requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the identification system by organizing identifiers at different levels: BSS color IDs at the network level, AIDs at the client level within each network, and MAC addresses as the global unique dimension. This multi-dimensional approach eliminates identifier collisions while maintaining efficient identification capabilities.
2Speed
If BSS color ID is included in PHY preamble, then packet origin identification is accelerated, but the BSS color ID is not globally unique leading to potential collisions between neighboring networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making BSS color identifiers unique only within their local network context rather than globally. Each BSS can independently select BSS color IDs from a limited range, optimizing local packet identification speed while managing collisions through higher-level MAC address verification when BSS color IDs match.
3Productivity
If multiple communication links across frequency segments are established, then data throughput is increased, but management overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by using a single association identifier (AID) system that works across multiple communication links and frequency segments. This unified AID assignment approach allows the same identification mechanism to serve multiple links simultaneously, reducing management complexity while enabling increased data throughput through parallel communications.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device assigns a first basic service set (BSS) color identifier (ID) to a first communication link among multiple communication links corresponding to multiple frequency segments, and assigns a second BSS color ID to a second communication link among the multiple communication links. The communication device uses the first BSS color ID when communicating via the first communication link, and uses the second BSS color ID when communicating via the second communication link.