Dynamic Scan Interval for Wireless Station Reconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless LAN systems cause unnecessary power consumption and delay in station (STA) disconnection scenarios due to continuous AP scanning, even when no nearby APs exist, leading to inefficient battery life and prolonged connection establishment times.
Innovation Solution
Implement a dynamic AP scan interval method based on pre-disconnection information such as SSID, network address, application status, cellular service area, and communication quality to adjust scan intervals dynamically, shortening intervals when connection likelihood is high and lengthening them when connection likelihood is low, thereby optimizing power usage and reducing delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If continuous AP scanning is performed after disconnection, then the STA can quickly find a new AP for reconnection, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scan interval adjustable rather than fixed. The scan interval is dynamically changed based on the number of scans performed: initially set to a first value for quick reconnection, then changed to a second value (longer interval) after a predetermined number of scans. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing fast scanning when needed while reducing power consumption during prolonged scanning without APs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by structuring the scanning process into distinct phases with different scan intervals. The scanning is performed periodically with an initial short interval, then transitions to a longer interval after a predetermined number of scans. This periodic structure with varying periods allows the system to balance between quick reconnection and power conservation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If scan interval is lengthened to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but time to find and connect to AP increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through dynamic adjustment of scan intervals based on scanning progress. The system starts with a short scan interval to quickly find an AP if one is nearby, then dynamically transitions to a longer scan interval after a predetermined number of scans without finding an AP. This dynamic approach minimizes both power consumption and connection time by adapting the scan interval to the actual scanning situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-setting a predetermined number of scans as a threshold. Before actually performing the scans, the system determines in advance when to transition from the first scan interval to the second scan interval. This preliminary determination allows the system to optimize the balance between power consumption and connection time based on expected scanning outcomes.
3Reliability
If active scanning is performed continuously, then AP detection reliability is high, but power consumption significantly increases compared to passive scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scan interval adaptive rather than fixed. By dynamically adjusting the interval between active scanning operations based on the number of scans performed, the system maintains high detection reliability when APs are likely to be found while reducing power consumption during prolonged scanning periods without APs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic active scanning with varying intervals. Instead of continuous scanning that would consume excessive power, the system performs active scanning periodically with an initial short interval for reliability, then transitions to a longer periodic interval to reduce power consumption while maintaining the ability to detect APs when present.
Data Source
AI summary
In an access point scan method by which a station disconnected from an access point scans for a next access point to which the station can be connected at a predetermined scan interval, the station sets a shorter scan interval when a possibility of connection to the next access point to which the station can be connected is presumed to be high or a need for connection is presumed to be great, and sets a longer scan interval when the possibility of connection is presumed to be low or the need for connection is presumed to be small, based on one of information on the access point to which the station being connected just before disconnection and information on the station.