BSS Association for Mixed Sensor and Offloading Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Wi-Fi networks, the coexistence of sensor devices and offloading devices leads to channel inefficiencies due to differing bandwidth and power requirements, resulting in delays and battery life issues for sensors, while offloading devices require high bandwidth and throughput, causing overhead and potential rejection of sensor traffic.

Innovation Solution

A Basic Service Set (BSS) system that dynamically adjusts parameters like bandwidth and beacon frequency based on the type of traffic, allowing for separate optimization and signaling for sensors and offloading devices, with the ability to switch between traffic types and support multiple device types, and includes a verification server for authentication and association management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single BSS supports both sensor devices and offloading devices, then device compatibility is improved, but channel efficiency deteriorates due to conflicting bandwidth and power requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidchannel efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the BSS into multiple traffic types (sensor traffic and offloading device traffic) and applies different parameter sets to each type. This allows the system to maintain compatibility with both device types while optimizing channel efficiency by preventing conflicting parameter applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts BSS parameters based on the detected traffic type. The system can switch between different parameter configurations (bandwidth, beacon frequency, etc.) depending on whether sensor traffic or offloading device traffic is detected, thereby maintaining both adaptability and channel efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If bandwidth is increased to meet offloading device requirements, then throughput is improved, but sensor device performance deteriorates due to excessive overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidsensor battery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of local quality by assigning different bandwidth parameters to different traffic types within the same BSS. Sensor traffic receives optimized parameters suitable for low-power operation, while offloading device traffic receives high-bandwidth parameters, thereby achieving high throughput without compromising sensor battery life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If beacon frequency is increased to improve network responsiveness, then service quality is improved, but energy consumption increases affecting sensor battery life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork responsivenessVSAvoidsensor power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the beacon frequency parameter based on the detected traffic type. For sensor traffic, a lower beacon frequency is applied to reduce power consumption, while for offloading device traffic, a higher beacon frequency provides improved network responsiveness, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Use of energy by moving object

If the system optimizes for sensor devices with lower bandwidth requirements, then battery life is improved, but offloading device performance deteriorates due to insufficient throughput

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor battery lifeVSAvoidoffloading device throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the traffic handling into distinct parameter sets for sensor devices and offloading devices. This allows the system to optimize for sensor battery life while simultaneously providing sufficient throughput for offloading devices, as each device type receives parameters tailored to its specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3160189B1Methods, access points and stations for basic service set association
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3160189B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3160189B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3160189B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for associating in a basic service set (BSS) includes receiving, by a first node (102), a first packet from a second node (104, 106, 108) and determining whether association is pursued in accordance with a first traffic type accepted by the first node (102) and the first packet including a second traffic type accepted by the second node (104, 106, 108) or in accordance with a first device type of the first node and the first packet including a second device type of the second node (104, 106, 108). The method also includes attaching the first node to the second node (104, 106, 108) when association is pursued.