Group-Based Beacon Scheduling for WLAN Time Slot Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scheduling methods in wireless local area networks (WLANs) allocate individual time periods to each station for data transmission, leading to inefficient use of resources and reduced transmission efficiency due to unused time slots when not all stations have data to transmit.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution allocates at least one time period to multiple stations for data transmission, allowing stations to transmit data within designated groups, with a contention period reserved for delay-sensitive traffic, and dynamically re-allocates idle time slots to improve resource utilization and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one time period is allocated to one station for data transmission, then each station can transmit data without collision, but time resources are wasted when not all stations have data to transmit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple stations into a single group that shares one time period for data transmission. Instead of allocating separate time periods to individual stations, multiple stations are combined into a group that contends for the channel together during their designated time period, thereby eliminating idle time slots while maintaining collision-free transmission through controlled contention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic re-allocation of time periods based on actual transmission needs. When a group of stations has data to transmit, they are allocated a time period; when they don't, the time period is re-allocated to other groups. This dynamic adjustment ensures that time resources are continuously utilized without waste, resolving the contradiction between reliable transmission and time efficiency.
2Device complexity
If one time period is allocated to one station, then transmission scheduling is simple, but transmission efficiency decreases due to unused time slots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments stations into multiple groups, where each group is allocated a specific time period. This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple stations through group-based scheduling rather than individual scheduling, reducing complexity while improving efficiency. The access point maintains separate scheduling information for each group, enabling straightforward management of time period allocations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal group-based scheduling mechanism that can handle multiple stations simultaneously. Each time period is universally allocated to a group of stations rather than a single station, allowing the same scheduling framework to serve multiple purposes and multiple stations, thereby improving transmission efficiency without significantly increasing scheduling complexity.
3Loss of time
If multiple stations share one time period, then time resource utilization improves, but contention for delay-sensitive traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing differentiated service within groups. While multiple stations share a time period, delay-sensitive stations are given priority access or guaranteed transmission opportunities within that group's time period. This localized quality enhancement ensures that delay-sensitive traffic receives appropriate service while maintaining the overall group-based time sharing structure that improves resource utilization.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided in the present invention and relating to the field of communications are a scheduling method and a system, an access point and a station, including: listening to, by a station, a first beacon frame containing a DTIM message used for indicating a beacon interval allocated for each group of stations within a current scheduling period; determining the beacon interval allocated for the station within the current scheduling period according to the DTIM message contained in the first beacon frame; listening to, by the station, within the beacon interval allocated for the station, a second beacon frame containing scheduling information of the current beacon interval used for indicating a time period allocated to each group of stations for data transmission within the current beacon interval, where at least one group of stations includes at least two stations; when data transmission is required, transmitting, by the station, data within the time period allocated to the group to which the station belongs according to an indication of the scheduling information of the current beacon interval. The present invention improves the utilization of time periods, saves time resources and enhances transmission efficiency.