Composite Device Scan Window Scheduling to Prevent Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, composite devices comprising both a client device and an access point often experience interference between their respective scan functions, leading to missed beacon transmissions and lost buffered data.
Innovation Solution
A controller associated with the composite device estimates the transmission time for an uplink beacon, schedules a second transmission time for the access point's beacon, and defines a scan window with a time buffer to offset scan operations, ensuring they do not interfere with each other's operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scan operations are performed by both the client device and access point simultaneously, then both devices can maintain network connectivity and discover beacons, but interference occurs between their scan functions causing missed beacon transmissions and lost buffered data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic scan operations with specific timing patterns. The client device and access point perform scans at different periodic intervals and offset times, creating a rhythmic alternation that prevents simultaneous scan operations. This periodic scheduling ensures both devices maintain connectivity while avoiding interference through temporal separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent schedules scan operations in advance with predetermined timing offsets. Before interference can occur, the system pre-plans scan windows for both the client device and access point, ensuring they occur at non-overlapping times. This preliminary scheduling prevents the harmful interference by establishing a temporal hierarchy before operations begin.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the client device performs scan operations, then it can discover and connect to access points, but the access point may miss beacon transmissions and lose buffered data due to the client's scan activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the conflict by adding a temporal dimension to the scan operation scheduling. Instead of both devices scanning continuously or simultaneously in the same time dimension, the system distributes them across different time slots and offset intervals. This dimensional separation allows the client device to perform scans while the access point transmits beacons without information loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the access point performs scan operations, then it can discover client devices and maintain network presence, but the client device may miss beacons and experience communication interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic scan scheduling where the access point and client device adjust their scan timings based on predetermined offsets and intervals. The system dynamically allocates scan windows to ensure the access point can perform scans while client devices receive beacons at appropriate intervals. This dynamic temporal allocation prevents missed transmissions while maintaining both devices' scan capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example a computer implemented method comprises estimating, in a processor communicatively coupled to a wireless client of a composite device, a first transmission time for an uplink beacon from a first access point communicatively coupled to the wireless client, scheduling, in the processor, a second transmission time for a beacon from a local access point of the composite device, and defining a scan window during which scan operations for the wireless client of the composite device and the local access point of the composite device are to occur, the scan window offset from the second transmission time by a first time buffer.