Downlink-Only Bearer Configuration for WLAN Contention Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of users in WLAN networks leads to a significant rise in contention conflict probability, reducing data transmission efficiency due to channel contention mechanisms, especially when multiple STAs and APs send data simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An access network device sends local area network and bearer configuration messages to a terminal, configuring a dedicated bearer with a downlink-only data reception indication, preventing uplink data transmission and enhancing network efficiency by reducing simultaneous downlink and uplink data reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple STAs and APs simultaneously send data in WLAN network, then channel utilization increases, but contention conflict probability rises and data transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission by direction, creating separate downlink-only and uplink-only bearers. This segmentation prevents simultaneous bidirectional data transmission on the same channel, thereby reducing contention conflicts while maintaining high channel utilization for each direction independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically configures bearers based on traffic direction requirements. Downlink-only bearers are established for downlink traffic, and uplink-only bearers for uplink traffic, allowing the system to adaptively manage channel usage and minimize conflicts based on real-time transmission needs.
2Ease of operation
If channel contention mechanism is used in WLAN, then decentralization is achieved, but conflict probability increases dramatically with user quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (separate bearers for different directions) that mediates between the decentralized WLAN access and the need for conflict reduction. By routing downlink and uplink traffic through distinct bearers, the system maintains decentralized access while preventing direct conflicts between simultaneous transmissions.
3Reliability
If dedicated bearer with downlink-only indication is configured, then contention conflict is reduced, but uplink data transmission is prohibited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects appropriate bearer types based on traffic direction requirements. When downlink traffic dominates, downlink-only bearers are configured to reduce conflicts; when uplink traffic is needed, uplink-only bearers are established. This dynamic adaptation maintains flexibility while reducing contention conflicts in each scenario.
Data Source
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AI summary
A service data offloading method, an access network device, and a terminal are provided. The access network device sends a local area network configuration message and a bearer configuration message to the terminal, configures a local area network for the terminal according to the local area network configuration message, and configures a dedicated bearer for the terminal according to the bearer configuration message, where the local area network configuration message or the bearer configuration message includes a downlink-only data reception indication, so that the terminal receives, in the local area network according to the downlink-only data reception indication, downlink data of the dedicated bearer and prohibits sending uplink data of the dedicated bearer. In this way, the terminal receives, in the downlink-only local area network according to the local area network configuration message including the downlink-only data reception indication, downlink data of the configured dedicated bearer and prohibits sending uplink data, or receives, in the local area network according to the bearer configuration message including the downlink-only data reception indication, downlink data of the downlink-only dedicated bearer and prohibits sending uplink data.