Grouped Station Channel Contention for Wireless Collision Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless 802.11 networks with a large number of stations, collisions occur frequently due to multiple devices contending for the communication channel simultaneously, leading to inefficient use of resources and lost data.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves grouping stations and allocating specific time periods for each group to contend for the communication channel, thereby reducing the probability of collisions by limiting the number of devices contending at any given time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple devices contend for the communication channel simultaneously in a CSMA wireless network, then the network allows multiple devices to access the shared medium, but collisions occur frequently leading to inefficient resource use and data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network of stations into multiple groups, where each group is assigned specific time periods during which its member stations are permitted to contend for the communication channel. This segmentation of the station population into organized groups with scheduled access rights directly reduces collisions by ensuring that stations from different groups do not contend simultaneously, thereby improving network productivity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by assigning specific time periods to different station groups for channel contention. Each group has designated time windows when it can access the channel, creating a periodic pattern of access that eliminates random collisions and ensures systematic resource utilization, thus resolving the contradiction between network throughput and collision rate
2Productivity
If all stations are permitted to contend for the channel at the same time, then maximum channel utilization is achieved, but the probability of collisions increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the station population into multiple groups and segments the time periods into designated contention windows for each group. This segmentation ensures that while the channel is utilized by different groups at different times (maintaining overall channel utilization), the number of contending stations at any given moment is limited, thereby significantly reducing collision probability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic time period assignments where the duration and timing of contention periods for each group can be adjusted based on network conditions, group size, and traffic demands. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize channel utilization while adapting collision reduction strategies to current network states, balancing productivity and harmful collision factors
3Ease of operation
If stations contend for the channel without time restrictions, then ease of operation is maintained, but resource waste occurs when devices sense the medium is unavailable and use power without productive communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing stations with advance notification of their assigned contention time periods through broadcast messages from the access point. Stations receive this scheduling information beforehand and can plan their transmission activities accordingly, maintaining ease of operation while avoiding energy waste by only attempting channel access during their designated time windows when the medium is likely to be available
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing each station to autonomously determine whether it is currently in its designated contention period based on the received scheduling information and current time. Stations independently make decisions about when to contend for the channel without requiring continuous centralized control, thus maintaining operational simplicity while reducing energy consumption through intelligent, schedule-based access control
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes wirelessly communicating with one or more stations that are partitioned into one or more groups. The method also includes generating a message that identifies one or more time periods during which each station of a first group of the one or more groups is permitted to contend for a communication channel or restricted from contending for the communication channel. The method further includes transmitting the message.