EMESH AP Selection via Beacon Sub-Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional Enhanced Mesh (EMESH) architecture faces issues such as channel starvation, suboptimal data transmission rates, and inefficient access point (AP) selection due to double air-time costs and lack of differentiation between regular APs and EMESH Leaf APs, leading to degraded network performance and user experience.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced AP selection system that includes EMESH elements in Beacons and Probe-Responses, providing parameters like association to the Main-Router AP, band/channel information, BSSID, connection parameters, and channel load, allowing clients to make informed decisions and reduce channel load by considering double air-time costs for direct associations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If EMESH Leaf APs use the same channel and band for both backhaul and client connections, then network coverage is extended, but channel starvation occurs due to double air-time costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between backhaul and client connections at the channel level. EMESH Leaf APs are configured to use different channels for backhaul traffic (to Main-Router AP) and client traffic, allowing each connection type to have dedicated air-time resources. This resolves the channel starvation issue while maintaining extended network coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the wireless spectrum resources by separating backhaul and client connections into different channels and time periods. Through OFDMA mechanisms and channel differentiation, the system divides the total air-time into distinct segments for backhaul traffic and client traffic, eliminating the double air-time cost problem.
2Area of stationary object
If clients connect through EMESH Leaf APs, then network coverage is extended, but data transmission rates become suboptimal due to additional hops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where EMESH Leaf APs provide clients with information about their connection path, including the fact that they are connected through a Leaf AP rather than directly to the Main-Router. This feedback enables clients to understand the topology and make informed decisions about data transmission, potentially selecting optimal paths or adjusting expectations for throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters based on the detected topology. When a client connects through an EMESH Leaf AP, the system can dynamically modify transmission rates, routing decisions, and quality of service parameters to optimize performance despite the additional hop, rather than using fixed suboptimal rates.
3Device complexity
If APs do not differentiate between regular APs and EMESH Leaf APs, then simplicity is maintained, but AP selection becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color changes as an analogy for differentiation - EMESH Leaf APs transmit specific identifiers and characteristics in their beacon frames that allow clients to visually distinguish (detect) them from regular APs. This differentiation is achieved through structured information elements in the wireless frames rather than complex hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having EMESH Leaf APs pre-transmit their topology information and identification characteristics in beacon frames before client connection decisions are made. This allows clients to scan, detect, and understand the network topology in advance, enabling efficient AP selection without requiring complex real-time analysis during the connection process.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices related to enhanced AP selection. A client device may identify a beacon frame or a probe response frame from another device; extract information from the beacon frame or probe response frame; determine an EMESH sub-element is included with the beacon frame or probe response frame; determine the another device is a LEAF AP, wherein the inclusion of the EMESH sub-element in the beacon or probe response frame indicates the another device is a member of an EMESH LEAF and not an AP associated with a main router; and select an AP based on the information of the EMESH sub-element.