Group ID Allocation for WLAN Terminal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current WLAN technologies face an ID shortage and lack effective group management solutions for massive terminals, particularly in Internet of Things applications, where numerous stations access a single access point.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves an STA sending a first radio frame to an AP, with the AP responding with group ID information and/or new station ID information, allowing terminals to be distinguished and managed effectively, thereby avoiding ID shortages and supporting group management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional AP allocates AID to each STA individually, then each terminal can be identified, but the AP experiences AID shortage when serving massive terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification system into two levels: group-level identification (using TID) and individual-level identification (using AID). Terminals are organized into groups, where each group shares a common TID. This segmentation allows the AP to manage massive terminals by first identifying their group and then their individual AID within that group, effectively extending the supportable terminal quantity beyond the original AID space limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional structure by adding the group dimension (TID) to the traditional flat AID space. Instead of a single-dimensional AID allocation, the system creates a two-dimensional identification space: one dimension for group identification (TID) and another for individual identification (AID). This dimensional expansion allows massive terminals to be accommodated without exhausting the AID resource.
2Adaptability or versatility
If no group management mechanism is implemented, then individual terminal management is simple, but efficient group management of massive terminals is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the management function into group-level operations (using TID for group identification and management) and individual-level operations (using AID for specific terminal management). This segmentation enables efficient group management where the AP can address entire groups using TID, reducing the complexity of managing massive terminals individually while maintaining the ability to manage individual terminals when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal identification framework where TID serves multiple functions: group identification, group management, and as a prefix for individual AID allocation. The AID itself also serves dual purposes as both an individual identifier and as a unique global identifier when combined with TID. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by reusing identification elements across different management levels.
3Loss of time
If AID is allocated during association only, then the association process is efficient, but reassociation requires complex ID reallocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary allocation of the TID (group identifier) during the initial association process, before reassociation may be needed. By establishing the group identity early and maintaining it across reassociation events, the system avoids the complexity of reallocating group identifiers during reassociation. The AID can then be reallocated or preserved based on group membership, simplifying the reassociation process and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allocating complete individual AIDs during association and attempting to preserve them through reassociation, the patent inverts the approach by first allocating group TIDs and then deriving individual AIDs from group membership. This inversion allows more flexible and simpler reassociation handling, where terminals can be quickly reassociated to their groups and assigned appropriate AIDs without complex preservation logic.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure discloses an Identifier (ID) allocation method, including that: a non-AP Station (STA) sends a first radio frame to an Access Point (AP); and the AP sends a second radio frame to the STA, wherein the second radio frame carries group ID information or group ID information and second station ID information allocated to the STA. In a case that the STA sends a Reassociation Request frame to the AP, the AP may also send the STA a Reassociation Response frame carrying group ID information and/or station ID information reallocated to the STA. Correspondingly, the disclosure further discloses an ID allocation system. With the disclosure, a terminal is distinguished by the group ID information and the station ID information, such that it is possible to avoid Association ID (AID) shortage and support group management of terminals.