Decentralized Network Master Station Negotiation via Management Frame Timeout
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Solution Overview
Problem
In decentralized networks like ad hoc and P2P networks, the random movement of stations and battery-powered devices lead to unpredictable disconnections of the master station, causing network topology changes and power failures, which result in the network being unaware of the disconnection and failing to negotiate a new master station, affecting communication.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus where ordinary stations receive management frames from the master station, determine a maximum time interval for receiving subsequent frames, and if none are received, they negotiate themselves as the new master station based on control capabilities listed in the frames, allowing timely detection of disconnection and maintenance of network stability without disrupting communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the master station is used to manage the decentralized network, then network management is facilitated, but the network becomes vulnerable to abrupt disconnection when the master station fails due to power failure or random movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where ordinary stations monitor for the absence of management frames from the master station. When a threshold number of consecutive management frames are not received, stations trigger a master station negotiation process, allowing the network to detect and respond to master station failures automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes preliminary conditions and thresholds for master station failure detection before actual failure occurs. Ordinary stations pre-configure monitoring parameters and readiness criteria, enabling rapid negotiation of a new master station when failure conditions are met, rather than waiting for complete network collapse.
2Reliability
If ordinary stations continuously monitor for master station management frames, then disconnection can be detected timely, but network communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the monitoring parameter from continuous reception to threshold-based detection. Instead of requiring constant communication, stations monitor for a configurable threshold number of consecutive missing management frames before triggering master station negotiation, reducing unnecessary monitoring activity while maintaining reliable failure detection.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a new master station is negotiated immediately upon detecting master station disconnection, then network management continuity is maintained, but network stability may be affected by premature or conflicting negotiations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by establishing a threshold mechanism that prevents premature master station negotiation. Stations must observe a configurable number of consecutive missing management frames before initiating negotiation, thereby preventing false triggers due to temporary communication glitches while ensuring timely response to actual failures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for negotiating a master station are disclosed. The method includes: receiving from a master station a management frame that carries a master identity; obtaining a maximum time interval between receiving of the management frame and receiving of a next management frame from the master station; and determining, according to a preset policy, a local station itself as a new master station if no more management frame is received after the maximum time interval. In the embodiments of the present invention, a station other than the master station detects whether the master station is disconnected from the decentralized network by judging whether a management frame is received from the master station within the preset maximum time interval. In this way, once the master station is disconnected from the decentralized network, the network can know such disconnection and negotiate a new master station for maintaining and managing the network.