FILS Discovery Frame Compressed SSID for Wireless Link Setup

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication networks face challenges in fast initial link setup due to increased latency caused by link setup process collisions when multiple mobile stations attempt to connect to an access point, leading to inefficient network resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating a fast initial link setup (FILS) discovery frame with a compressed service set identifier (SSID) using a four-octet cyclic redundancy check (CRC) value, allowing for rapid identification and association with the access point, and reducing the overhead in network capacity by transmitting discovery frames at shorter intervals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple mobile stations attempt to connect to an access point during a short period, then network connectivity is established, but link setup process collisions increase causing latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink setup speedVSAvoidlink setup latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having mobile stations perform background scanning and pre-authentication procedures before actual data transmission is needed. The fast initial link setup mechanism pre-establishes connection parameters and authentication states in advance, so when data transmission is required, the link is already prepared or can be quickly activated, reducing the latency of link setup collisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If discovery frames are transmitted at shorter intervals, then access point discovery speed increases, but network overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscovery frame transmission speedVSAvoidnetwork overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by transmitting discovery frames at optimized intervals rather than continuously. The system determines appropriate transmission periods based on network conditions and mobility patterns, sending discovery frames periodically at rates that balance fast AP discovery with minimizing network overhead and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of information

If full beacon frames are used for every transmission, then complete network information is provided, but transmission efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork information completenessVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing network information into essential and optional components. Discovery frames contain only the most critical information needed for rapid AP identification and initial connection, while complete network details are available in full beacon frames transmitted less frequently. This segmentation allows efficient rapid discovery without sacrificing information completeness for stations that need it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If mobile stations perform scanning and authentication procedures, then secure network connection is established, but connection establishment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidconnection establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing authentication procedures in advance during background operations. Mobile stations pre-authenticate with access points before data transmission is required, establishing security credentials and connection states ahead of time. This allows the actual connection establishment to be much faster when needed, while maintaining full security validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3228124B1Methods, apparatuses and computer program for efficient access point discovery,
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3228124B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3228124B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3228124B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, methods, and devices provide for efficient access point discovery. One implementation generates a wireless frame to include a first indication of a service set identifier of the access point, and a second indication of a format of the first indication. The frame is then transmitted on a wireless medium. In some aspects, the first indication is a hash of a service set identifier of the access point, for example, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) value of the service set identifier.