Wireless LAN Terminal Base Station Selection Using Event Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless LAN terminal technologies face challenges in maintaining stable communication due to environmental fluctuations caused by user movement, leading to unnecessary connection overhead and potential degradation in communication quality when switching between wireless LAN base stations.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a communication system where wireless LAN base stations transmit event information and communication quality data in Beacon Frames, Probe Response Frames, Neighbor Report elements, and BSS Transition Management Request Frames, allowing wireless LAN terminals to select optimal base stations based on position and event information to minimize switching and ensure stable communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless LAN base station switching is performed frequently to maintain connection quality, then communication quality is improved, but connection overhead increases and communication stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidconnection overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting communication quality information from multiple base stations before actual switching is needed. The terminal apparatus stores quality metrics (RSSI, throughput, packet loss) for several candidate base stations in advance, so when switching becomes necessary, the selection can be made quickly without extensive real-time measurement and connection establishment processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The base station selection mechanism is made dynamic by continuously monitoring communication quality parameters and automatically adapting the connected base station based on current conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the connection between terminal and base station according to real-time quality fluctuations, ensuring optimal performance while avoiding unnecessary switching during stable periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If wireless LAN base station switching is suppressed to reduce connection overhead, then communication stability is improved, but communication quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection overheadVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where communication quality parameters (RSSI, throughput, packet loss rate) are continuously measured and fed back to the terminal apparatus. Based on this feedback, the terminal decides whether switching is necessary, ensuring that switching occurs only when quality degradation warrants it, thus balancing stability with quality maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal apparatus maintains a database of communication quality information for multiple candidate base stations in advance. This preliminary collection of quality data allows the system to make informed switching decisions only when necessary, avoiding unnecessary switching while ensuring quality is maintained through prepared alternative connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If base station selection is based only on RSSI, then selection simplicity is improved, but communication quality for application programs cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection simplicityVSAvoidapplication program communication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the selection parameters from单一的RSSI to multiple parameters including throughput, packet loss rate, and other application-layer communication quality metrics. This multi-parameter approach allows the terminal to select base stations that not only have strong signal strength but also provide the communication quality needed for specific application programs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal apparatus preliminarily collects and stores communication quality information for multiple candidate base stations before making selection decisions. This advance collection includes not only RSSI but also throughput, packet loss, and other quality metrics, enabling informed selection that balances simplicity with communication quality requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3767975B1Terminal apparatus, and method
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3767975B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3767975B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3767975B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a server apparatus, a base station, and a terminal apparatus as well as a communication system that make it possible to implement stabilized communication against a fluctuation of a communication environment in a wireless LAN by switching a base station taking an event into consideration. An application server delivers information relating to an event, which differs for each base station depending upon an installed position, to a terminal apparatus through a base station together with base station information including communication quality and functions of the base station. The terminal apparatus selects a base station with which connection should be established, on the basis of the event information and the base station information and switches the connection. The present disclosure can be applied to a communication system in a wireless LAN.