Dynamic BSS Color Management for Wireless Network Overlap Resolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, the limited bit length of the BSS COLOR field in the PLCP header leads to restricted choices, causing potential overlap between BSSes, which results in inadequate packet filtering and unnecessary reception, affecting power consumption and reception success.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that dynamically changes the physical layer network identifier and transmits change information to other devices, using a control unit to determine matching network identifiers based on physical and data link layer identifiers, and adjusts reception conditions accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the BSS COLOR field bit length is restricted in the PLCP header, then the header size is kept small and transmission efficiency is improved, but the number of available BSS COLOR choices is limited to 8 values, causing potential overlap between different BSSes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the BSS COLOR dynamically changeable rather than fixed. The master station can change the BSS COLOR at any time and notify other stations through beacon frames or other communication methods. This allows the system to adapt to overlapping BSS scenarios by changing the COLOR value without increasing the header bit length, thus maintaining transmission efficiency while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of BSS COLOR from a static value to a dynamically adjustable parameter. By allowing the master station to modify the BSS COLOR value and notify other stations, the system can resolve COLOR overlaps by parameter change rather than increasing the parameter space (bit length), thus maintaining the original transmission efficiency while solving the adaptability problem.
2Ease of manufacture
If the BSS COLOR is determined independently by the master station, then the network setup is simple and fast, but BSS COLORs may overlap between multiple BSSes with overlapping communication ranges, leading to inadequate packet filtering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where stations monitor for BSS COLOR overlaps and report them to the master station. When a station detects that its received packets have a BSS COLOR matching its own network identifier but the packets are not intended for its network (detected through MAC address filtering), it reports this overlap to the master station, which then changes the BSS COLOR to resolve the conflict. This feedback loop maintains simple initial setup while improving filtering reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary detection of BSS COLOR overlaps by monitoring stations that continuously check incoming packets for COLOR matches. When potential overlaps are detected before they cause significant interference, the system can proactively trigger a BSS COLOR change, preventing filtering failures rather than reacting to them after damage occurs.
3Loss of energy
If BSS COLORs overlap between multiple BSSes, then unnecessary reception cannot be terminated at an early stage, but continuing to receive all packets increases power consumption and reduces the probability of successful reception of desired packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic BSS COLOR changes in response to overlap detection, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions. When overlaps are detected, the master station changes the BSS COLOR to a non-conflicting value, restoring the ability to perform early packet termination and thus reducing power consumption while maintaining reception success probability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where monitoring stations automatically detect BSS COLOR overlaps and report them to the master station, which then autonomously changes the BSS COLOR to resolve the conflict. This self-managing system reduces power consumption by eliminating the need for continuous monitoring of all packets and enables early termination of unnecessary receptions, thereby improving both energy efficiency and reception reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus including a control unit. In a case where a first physical layer network identifier for identifying a first network to which an apparatus in question belongs is determined to match a second physical layer network identifier for identifying a second network to which the apparatus in question does not belong, the control unit changes a first physical layer network identifier. Then, the control unit transmits the change information relating to the change to another information processing apparatus. Further, in a case where change information for changing a first physical layer network identifier for identifying a first network to which the apparatus in question belongs is received from another information processing apparatus which belongs to the first network, the control unit changes a condition for terminating reception processing of a packet on the basis of the change information in a middle of the reception processing.