Distributed WLAN Access Point with Centralized MAC Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Wi-Fi access points (APs) are complex and costly due to their need to perform both time-critical and non-time-critical Medium Access Control (MAC) functions, leading to high power consumption and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
Centralizing non-time-critical MAC functions in a WLAN server connected via a wired LAN, allowing APs to focus on time-critical functions, thereby simplifying and reducing the APs' hardware and power requirements, while the server handles higher-level processing tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access points perform both time-critical and non-time-critical MAC functions locally, then they can independently communicate with client stations according to IEEE 802.11 specifications, but the AP complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments MAC functions into two categories: time-critical functions (channel access, clear channel assessment, packet transmission) that remain at the AP, and non-time-critical functions (authentication, association, power save management) that are migrated to a centralized controller. This segmentation reduces AP complexity while preserving independent communication capability for time-sensitive operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts non-time-critical MAC functions from the AP and relocates them to a centralized controller connected via wired backhaul. This extraction removes unnecessary processing burden from the AP, reducing its complexity and cost while maintaining full MAC functionality through the centralized controller.
2Reliability
If access points perform all MAC functions locally, then they can operate independently per IEEE 802.11 specs, but power consumption increases due to processing all functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments MAC processing tasks by time-criticality, keeping only time-critical functions at the AP (minimal power consumption) while moving non-time-critical functions to a centralized controller. This segmentation maintains independent operation for time-sensitive communication while dramatically reducing AP power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts power-intensive non-time-critical MAC processing from the AP and relocates it to a centralized controller with higher power capacity. This extraction reduces AP power consumption while preserving full MAC functionality through the controller, as the AP can still operate independently for time-critical functions.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple APs are deployed to extend coverage, then Wi-Fi coverage area increases, but system cost and complexity increase due to each AP requiring full functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments MAC functionality across multiple APs and a centralized controller. Each AP only implements time-critical functions, while non-time-critical functions are centralized. This segmentation allows multiple APs to be deployed for extended coverage while reducing individual and overall system complexity, as each AP is simpler and can be managed centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges non-time-critical MAC processing functions from multiple APs into a single centralized controller. This merging reduces redundancy across the network, allowing multiple APs to provide extended coverage while sharing common control functionality, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.
4Reliability
If each AP has full PHY and MAC functionality, then it can implement complete IEEE 802.11 compliance, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments MAC processing between AP hardware (time-critical functions only) and centralized controller (non-time-critical functions). This segmentation allows the AP hardware to be simpler and less expensive while maintaining full IEEE 802.11 compliance through the combined AP-controller system, as the controller provides the missing MAC functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts non-essential MAC processing functions from the AP hardware and relocates them to a centralized controller. This extraction reduces AP hardware complexity and cost while preserving complete IEEE 802.11 compliance, as the controller handles the extracted functions and the AP handles time-critical functions, together providing full compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless local area network (WLAN) system includes a plurality of access points and a WLAN server. Each access point includes a wireless transceiver, which transmits and receives data packets to and from client stations (STAs) in the WLAN system, and is connected to a wired local area network (LAN). First encapsulation logic in the access point encapsulates the data packets received by the wireless transceiver, including the MAC headers and payloads, in data frames and transmits the data frames over the LAN. The WLAN server receives the data frames transmitted over the wired LAN from the access points. Second encapsulation logic in the WLAN server decapsulates the received data packets from the received data frames. A MAC processor in the WLAN server applies MAC processing functions to the MAC headers and payloads of the decapsulated data packets.