Central Controller Offloading Wireless Signal Processing Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless access points (APs) in wireless local area networks face high processing complexity and latency due to the need for local signal processing, which increases costs and hinders efficient communication.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a central controller to offload processing tasks from APs, using techniques such as preliminary packet detection, parallel processing of pilot tones, and precomputing steering matrices to reduce latency and complexity, while utilizing passband filters and finite impulse response filters to expedite signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an access point performs local signal processing to retrieve data from received signals, then the processing accuracy and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central controller as an intermediary device that performs complex signal processing tasks (packet detection, pilot correction, equalization, demodulation) remotely. The access point communicates with this central controller, which acts as a mediator to handle the computationally intensive processing operations, thereby reducing the complexity requirements of individual access points while maintaining processing accuracy through centralized sophisticated processing capabilities.
2Reliability
If an access point performs local signal processing, then the processing reliability is improved, but the processing time and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing function into two parts: initial signal reception and digitization at the access point, and complex processing operations at the central controller. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple signals across different access points at the central controller, reducing overall latency while maintaining processing accuracy through dedicated processing resources.
3Productivity
If an access point includes complex hardware and software for local processing, then the processing capability is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the signal processing functionality from multiple individual access points into a single centralized processing unit. Instead of each access point having its own complex processing hardware and software, the central controller consolidates these processing capabilities, reducing the need for expensive equipment at each access point while maintaining overall system processing capability through shared resources.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed to reduce latency of processing for access points using a central controller. For example, an example method of wireless communication includes receiving, at an access point, a signal wirelessly. The method further includes filtering the signal using a first passband filter having a first bandwidth to generate a first filtered signal. The method further includes filtering the signal using a second passband filter having a second bandwidth to generate a second filtered signal, wherein the first bandwidth is less than the second bandwidth. The method further includes determining whether the signal includes a packet based on the first filtered signal and generating a control signal indicative of the determination. The method further includes transmitting the control signal and the second filtered signal to a central controller.