Dual-Function Wireless Adapter for Concurrent WLAN and WPAN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for implementing concurrent wireless local area network (WLAN) and personal area network (WPAN) communication require either dual wireless adapters or manual switching, which are inefficient as they can only connect to one network at a time, limiting simultaneous association and signal traffic with both LAN and PAN devices.
Innovation Solution
A dual-function wireless adapter that operates concurrently as a station (STA) and access point (AP) entity, utilizing a shared baseband processor and radio frequency circuits to maintain association and signal traffic with both WLAN and WPAN devices, enabling simultaneous operation as a basic service set (BSS) STA and IBSS AP, with separate software stacks and media access controllers for each network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two independent wireless adapters are used for concurrent WLAN and WPAN communication, then network connectivity versatility is improved, but device complexity and physical resource requirements double
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single wireless adapter capable of operating in multiple modes (WLAN BSS mode and WPAN IBSS mode) by integrating dual software stacks (802.11 and 802.15) within one device. The adapter can function as both a station and access point, allowing concurrent participation in both WLAN and WPAN networks without requiring separate physical adapters, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining network connectivity versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of two separate wireless adapters into a single integrated adapter. The baseband processor and radio frequency circuits are shared between WLAN and WPAN operations, with software-controlled mode switching that allows the same hardware resources to serve both protocol standards simultaneously, thus combining multiple functions into one device.
2Device complexity
If manual switching between WLAN and WPAN modes is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and network connectivity are limited to one network at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mode switching capability within the wireless adapter, allowing it to transition between WLAN BSS mode and WPAN IBSS mode based on operational requirements. The system can dynamically allocate its radio resources and software stacks to different protocol modes, enabling flexible adaptation to changing network conditions while maintaining connectivity to both network types sequentially or concurrently as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified wireless adapter incorporates universal functionality to support both WLAN and WPAN protocols through integrated software stacks, allowing the single device to perform multiple network roles (station and access point) without requiring manual reconfiguration or separate hardware, thereby improving productivity while keeping device complexity manageable.
3Device complexity
If a single adapter is used for both WLAN and WPAN, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain concurrent connections to both networks is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless adapter's functionality into distinct software stacks for WLAN (802.11) and WPAN (802.15) protocols, each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the single hardware device to maintain concurrent associations with both network types by allocating different software processing paths to handle each protocol's requirements separately, thus preserving concurrent network capability while using shared physical resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified wireless adapter achieves multi-functionality by integrating both 802.11 and 802.15 software stacks within a single device, enabling it to simultaneously participate in WLAN and WPAN networks. The adapter can establish and maintain concurrent connections to both network types by managing multiple protocol stacks and their respective association states, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for a multiple-entity wireless communication adapter, including at least a first connection module to communicate first signal traffic corresponding to a basic service set station entity, a second connection module to communicate second signal traffic corresponding to an entity that is not a basic service set station, and a shared physical layer able to process both the first and the second signal traffic. Additional features are described and claimed.