Dynamic Channel Selection for Wireless Direct Link Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current direct link setup (DLS) mechanisms in wireless local-area networks (WLANs), as specified by IEEE 802.11e, restrict wireless clients to using the same channel as their Basic Service Set, lead to increased power consumption due to disabled power-save features, and lack definitions for initiating/tearing down DLS sessions and protection mechanisms against interference.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that allows wireless clients to establish DLS connections on different channels, enabling power-save mechanisms, automatic setup and teardown of DLS connections, and protection from interference by using media access control (MAC) addresses to identify capable clients, determining data stream types, and selecting communication modes based on quality of service and signal strength, thereby optimizing channel utilization and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless clients use the same channel for DLS as for the Basic Service Set, then channel consistency is maintained, but channel flexibility and interference avoidance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel flexibilityVSAvoidchannel management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic channel selection for DLS connections, allowing wireless clients to automatically switch between the primary BSS channel and alternative channels based on real-time conditions such as interference levels and signal quality. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maintain channel flexibility while managing complexity through automated decision-making algorithms that evaluate channel conditions and select optimal channels without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If IEEE 802.11e DLS explicitly disables legacy power-save and APSD, then direct communication capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect communication reliabilityVSAvoidwireless client power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the operational parameters of power-save modes specifically for DLS connections, allowing wireless clients to enter low-power states during periods of no data transmission while maintaining the ability to quickly resume direct communication when needed. The system adjusts power management parameters dynamically based on DLS connection state, data flow patterns, and channel conditions, enabling clients to achieve both reliable direct communication and reduced power consumption by optimizing the balance between active and sleep states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If IEEE 802.11e DLS does not define precise conditions for initiating/tearing down DLS sessions, then implementation flexibility is improved, but connection stability and resource utilization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDLS session management flexibilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback-based DLS session management mechanisms that continuously monitor connection quality, data flow patterns, and network conditions to automatically determine when to initiate or terminate DLS sessions. The system uses feedback from various metrics such as signal strength, packet loss rates, and traffic patterns to make intelligent decisions about session lifecycle, ensuring stable connections are maintained while inefficient sessions are automatically torn down, thereby improving resource utilization without sacrificing implementation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Device complexity

If IEEE 802.11e DLS does not specify protection mechanisms, then implementation simplicity is improved, but interference mitigation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDLS implementation complexityVSAvoidinterference from other traffic sources

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary protection mechanisms that operate at the MAC layer to shield DLS connections from interference without significantly increasing implementation complexity. These intermediaries include virtual carrier sensing mechanisms, contention window adjustments, and priority queue management that intercept and mitigate interference before it affects DLS data transmissions. The protection mechanisms are integrated into the existing IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol, adding minimal complexity while providing effective interference mitigation for direct links.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2064837B1Direct link setup mechanisms for wireless lans

Publication Date: 2017.11.22 MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD

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AI summary

Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer programs comprise a communication circuit to establish an infrastructure mode wireless connection with a wireless client through a wireless access point, and to establish a direct link setup (DLS) mode wireless connection with the wireless client; and a control circuit to select either infrastructure mode or DLS mode for communication with the wireless client based on at least one characteristic of the infrastructure mode and DLS mode wireless connections; wherein the communication circuit exchanges frames of data with the wireless client using the selected mode.