Wireless Mesh Peer Link Setup for High Throughput Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mesh peer link setup procedures in wireless mesh networks do not allow High Throughput (HT) wireless stations to utilize HT PHY/MAC characteristics, as there is no defined method for HT stations to acquire necessary information about each other for establishing mesh peer links that support data rates of 1.00 Mbps or more.
Innovation Solution
A method and wireless station configuration that enables HT MPs to set up mesh peer links by transmitting and receiving HT-related information through peer link open and confirmation frames, including HT capability information, extended capability information, and 20/40 BSS coexistence information, allowing HT MPs to communicate effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If legacy mesh peer link setup procedure is used, then compatibility with existing wireless stations is maintained, but HT PHY/MAC characteristics cannot be utilized and data rate remains below 100 Mbps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by including HT capability information in peer link open and confirmation frames during the mesh peer link setup procedure. This allows HT MPs to exchange and recognize HT capabilities before establishing the peer link, enabling subsequent high throughput communication without requiring complex post-setup configuration changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing the peer link open and confirmation frames to carry both legacy mesh peer link setup functionality and HT capability information exchange. This multi-functional approach allows the same communication protocol to support both traditional and HT-enhanced mesh networks, maintaining backward compatibility while enabling high throughput capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If HT capability information exchange is added to peer link setup, then HT PHY/MAC characteristics can be utilized, but the setup procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the peer link open and confirmation frames to carry both legacy mesh peer link setup functionality and HT capability information exchange. This multi-functional approach allows the same communication protocol to support both traditional and HT-enhanced mesh networks, maintaining backward compatibility while enabling high throughput capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by enabling HT MPs to automatically exchange and recognize HT capability information during the peer link setup procedure. The MPs autonomously determine compatibility and configure HT parameters without requiring external control or complex manual intervention, simplifying the overall system complexity despite adding capability exchange functions.
3Speed
If HT capability information is transmitted during peer link setup, then HT MPs can establish high throughput links, but additional information exchange overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining HT capability information exchange with the existing peer link open and confirmation frames. Instead of creating separate signaling messages, the HT capability information is integrated into the already-necessary setup frames, thereby eliminating additional overhead while still enabling HT functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a procedure of setting up a peer link in wireless mesh networks and a wireless station supporting the procedure. In the procedure, a mesh point (MP) transmits first peer link open frame regarding the peer link to a candidate peer MP. The first peer link open frame includes high throughput capabilities information element and high throughput operation information element. And, the mesh point receives first peer link confirmation frame regarding the peer link from the candidate peer MP in response to the first peer link open frame. And, the mesh point transmits second peer link confirmation frame regarding the peer link to the candidate peer MP after receiving second peer link open frame received from the candidate peer MP. In this case, the peer link confirmation frame may also include high throughput capabilities information element and high throughout operation element.