Extending Association Beamforming Training via Segmented Beacon Intervals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless local area networks (WLANs) face challenges in efficiently managing bandwidth and response times due to multiple devices sharing resources, with legacy devices often limited by their communication protocols and hardware capabilities, necessitating a method to extend association beamforming training effectively across different protocol standards.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves modifying beacon intervals by adding additional sector sweep (SSW) slots before or after the original SSW slots, allowing for extended association beamforming training, which enables better coexistence and communication between newer and legacy devices by adjusting the duration and format of these slots to accommodate different device capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the association beamforming training is extended to accommodate more devices, then the coexistence of newer and legacy devices is improved, but the beacon interval duration and network complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon interval is segmented into distinct phases: a first portion for legacy devices containing traditional SSW slots, and a second portion for newer devices containing extended SSW slots. This segmentation allows each device type to operate independently in its designated time window, improving coexistence while maintaining manageable beacon interval structure through clear temporal boundaries.
2Quantity of substance
If additional SSW slots are added to the beacon interval, then more devices can undergo beamforming training, but the response time and bandwidth utilization efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by structuring the beacon interval with repeated patterns of SSW slots for legacy devices followed by extended SSW slots for newer devices. This periodic structure allows the system to cycle through different device types in an organized manner, enabling multiple devices to be trained without causing chaotic contention, thereby maintaining bandwidth utilization efficiency while increasing the number of devices that can be trained.
3Quantity of substance
If the beacon interval is extended to include more SSW slots, then more devices can be accommodated, but the network response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having legacy devices complete their SSW transmissions in the first portion of the beacon interval before newer devices begin their extended SSW slots in the second portion. This preliminary structuring prevents overlapping transmissions and potential retransmissions, allowing more devices to be accommodated while minimizing the overall response time by avoiding contention-induced delays.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, computer readable media, and methods for extending association beamforming training are disclosed. An apparatus is disclosed including processing circuitry. The processing circuitry being configured to decode an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) beacon comprising a multiplier field and a length field of an association beamforming training (A-BFT) interval. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a count of sector sweep (SSW) slots based on a value of the multiplier field and a value of the length field of the A-BFT interval, and select a SSW slot of the count of SSW slots. The processing circuitry may be further configured to encode a SSW frame, and configure the station to transmit the SSW frame during the selected slot of the count of SSW slots.