Wireless LAN Terminal Roaming via Layer 2 Signal Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless LAN systems face limitations in expanding coverage areas without installing multiple base stations or repeaters, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of wireless LAN terminals and base stations that encapsulate and transmit wireless LAN signals using OSI layer 2 headers, allowing for extended coverage without additional infrastructure by enabling direct communication between terminals and base stations, and facilitating roaming between different communication hierarchies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple wireless LAN base stations or repeaters are installed to expand coverage area, then the wireless LAN area can be extended, but installation costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables wireless LAN terminals to perform base station functions by implementing encapsulation and decapsulation capabilities. A terminal can act as a relay node that receives frames from one terminal and forwards them to the base station, effectively making the terminal multi-functional (both as an endpoint and as a forwarding node). This eliminates the need for separate repeater devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing terminal devices to provide network extension services rather than requiring dedicated infrastructure equipment. The terminals themselves perform the forwarding function through software implementation of encapsulation/decapsulation, making the network self-extending without additional specialized hardware.
2Length of moving object
If multiple wireless LAN base stations are installed to eliminate communication distance limits, then communication coverage is expanded, but installation costs and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary forwarding mechanism where wireless LAN terminals act as intermediate nodes between distant terminals and the base station. Instead of installing additional base stations to extend range, existing terminals serve as intermediaries that relay frames across extended distances through hierarchical forwarding.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of existing terminals by enabling them to perform base station functions. Through parameter changes in the terminal's operation mode (enabling encapsulation/decapsulation), the effective communication distance is extended without physical infrastructure changes.
3Area of stationary object
If wireless LAN repeaters are installed to expand coverage, then the wireless LAN area is extended, but installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the base station functionality within wireless LAN terminals. Instead of installing physical repeater hardware, the terminal software implements a copy of the base station's frame forwarding capability, allowing the terminal to replicate base station functions and extend coverage without additional hardware costs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention makes it possible to expand wireless LAN areas without installing a plurality of LAN base stations or wireless LAN repeaters. A wireless LAN terminal has not only a wireless LAN terminal function to communicate with another wireless LAN base station, but also a wireless LAN base station function to communicates with a wireless LAN terminal. The wireless LAN terminal encapsulates a wireless LAN signal sent from another wireless LAN terminal and sends the encapsulated signal to the wireless LAN base station. The wireless LAN base station encapsulates a wireless LAN signal destined for a wireless LAN terminal and sends the encapsulated signal to another wireless LAN terminal.