High Throughput Mesh Network Beacon Frame HT Capability Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing IEEE 802.11s mesh network standards lack clarity on how to implement High Throughput (HT) features such as Power Save Multi-poll (PSMP) and Phased Coexistence Operations (PCO) effectively, leading to potential collisions and data loss in wireless mesh networks.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves adding HT capability elements to beacon frames and peer link action frames, while disallowing PSMP and PCO operations in mesh networks, and implementing Space-Time Block Code (STBC) and 20/40 MHz operations, along with establishing protection modes for HT transmissions based on neighboring mesh point capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If PSMP and PCO operations are implemented in mesh networks, then power saving and channel coexistence are improved, but collisions and data loss occur due to lack of clarity in implementation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower savingVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes PSMP and PCO operations from mesh network implementation. By explicitly disallowing these operations in mesh networks through the HT operation element, the patent eliminates the source of collisions and data loss while maintaining clarity in HT feature implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If HT features are added to mesh networks, then throughput is improved, but complexity increases due to unclear implementation rules

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidimplementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of HT features in mesh networks by explicitly disabling PSMP and PCO operations through the HT operation element. This parameter change simplifies implementation by providing clear rules for which HT features are permitted, reducing implementation complexity while maintaining throughput improvements from allowed features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If protection modes are implemented for HT transmissions, then data integrity is improved, but channel efficiency decreases due to additional overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidchannel efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies protection modes selectively based on local network conditions and neighbor capabilities. The HT operation element allows each mesh point to configure protection modes according to its specific environment, providing data integrity where needed while minimizing overhead in scenarios where protection is less critical, thus optimizing channel efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9462538B2High throughput features in 11S mesh networks

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 STMICROELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

The addition of high throughput capability elements to beacon frames and peer link action frames in wireless mesh networks enable the utilization of desirable features without further modifications to the network. Rules can be established for high throughput mesh point protection in a mesh network, Space-time Block Code (STBC) operations and 20/40 MHz operation selections. However, features such as PSMP (power save multi-poll) and PCO (phased coexistence operations) are barred from implementation to prevent collisions.