Dynamic CoMP Group Management in WLAN Access Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coordinated Multiple Points (CoMP) transmission is difficult to implement in Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) systems due to the limitations in current technologies, which hinder efficient network management and grouping in dense WLAN deployments.

Innovation Solution

A grouping management method and system that allows access points to transmit identification information to stations, enabling the formation of dynamic CoMP cooperating sets by determining candidate members from static CoMP cooperating sets, and providing acknowledgment information for successful or unsuccessful set formations, thereby facilitating effective CoMP transmission management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If one station is only associated with one AP at the same time (current WLAN limitation), then the network structure remains simple and easy to manage, but CoMP transmission cannot be implemented

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCoMP transmission capabilityVSAvoidnetwork structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the association relationship between stations and access points by introducing the concept of CoMP cooperating sets. A station can be associated with multiple APs simultaneously through different association relationships (primary association and secondary associations), allowing CoMP transmission while maintaining manageable complexity through structured association management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic association relationships where stations can establish primary and secondary associations with different APs based on channel conditions and network requirements. The CoMP cooperating set can be dynamically formed and adjusted, allowing the system to adapt to changing network conditions while enabling CoMP transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple APs form a CoMP cooperating set for uplink transmission, then transmission efficiency improves, but the complexity of managing and coordinating multiple APs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidCoMP cooperating set management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary to manage CoMP cooperating sets. The network controller coordinates multiple APs, handles association management, and facilitates CoMP transmission without requiring direct complex peer-to-peer coordination between all APs, thereby reducing management complexity while maintaining transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary association establishment where stations establish primary and secondary associations with APs before CoMP transmission begins. This pre-configuration of association relationships simplifies the actual CoMP coordination process by having the association framework already in place, reducing real-time management complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If dense WLAN deployment is implemented to increase network coverage, then network coverage area expands, but network load increases and collision and interference aggravation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidcollision and interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transmission capabilities of multiple APs into a unified CoMP cooperating set that serves a common station. By combining the resources and coordination of multiple APs in the cooperating set, the system can handle dense deployment scenarios more efficiently, reducing interference and collision through coordinated transmission while maintaining expanded network coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3487226B1Group management method utilized in coordinated multipoint, device, and system
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 ZTE CORP
  • EP3487226B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3487226B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3487226B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The embodiments in the disclosure provide a group management method utilized in coordinated multipoint (CoMP), a device, and a system. The method comprises: an access point transmits, to a station, identifier information thereof used to label a static CoMP coordinated group to which the access point belongs; the access point receives a dynamic CoMP coordinated group acknowledgement request transmitted from the station and comprising information of candidate members to form, with the access point, a same dynamic CoMP coordinated group; and the access point determines whether to form, with a part of or all of the candidate members, the dynamic CoMP coordinated group, and responds with a dynamic CoMP coordinated group acknowledgement. The embodiments of the invention resolve a problem in which implementation of CoMP transmission is difficult in a WLAN system in the related art, enhancing efficiency of managing CoMP coordinated group.