MIH Capability Discovery in Wireless LAN Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless LAN networks, existing media independent handover technologies face challenges in ensuring quality of service (QoS) between mobile terminals and access points, leading to latency and inefficient use of radio resources, particularly when access points do not support media independent handover functions.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to discover and utilize media independent handover capabilities within the distribution system, allowing mobile terminals to communicate effectively with access points and other entities that support media independent handover functions, using new action frames and information elements to request and respond to MIH capability discovery, command service, and event service, ensuring seamless handovers and reducing resource waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If media independent handover functions are not supported by access points, then wireless LAN networks can operate with simpler access point implementations, but quality of service cannot be ensured between mobile terminals and access points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where action frames carrying MIH capability information are transmitted through the wireless LAN infrastructure. This allows mobile terminals to discover and utilize MIH capabilities even when individual access points may not fully support them, thereby ensuring QoS while maintaining broad adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary capability discovery through action frames that are exchanged before actual handover operations. By预先 (in advance) determining MIH capability availability through these frames, the system can prepare appropriate handover strategies, ensuring QoS is maintained while adapting to the actual capabilities of the network infrastructure.
2Loss of time
If traditional handover methods are used without MIH capability discovery, then the system is simpler to implement, but latency occurs during handover operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing capability discovery through action frames before handover operations commence. This advance discovery process eliminates the need for handover-related probing during actual handover events, thereby reducing latency while the complexity is confined to the initial capability assessment phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where action frames carry capability information that is used to optimize subsequent handover operations. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt handover strategies based on discovered capabilities, reducing latency in repeated handover scenarios while the feedback mechanism itself becomes a standardized part of the system.
3Loss of energy
If MIH messages are transmitted as general data, then the transmission mechanism is simpler, but radio resources are wasted and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the action frame mechanism universal by designing it to serve multiple functions: capability discovery, capability advertisement, and actual data transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated transmission mechanisms for MIH messages, thereby conserving radio resources and reducing power consumption while maintaining necessary complexity for efficient operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the capability discovery function with the data transmission function by using action frames for both purposes. This consolidation eliminates redundant transmission protocols and reduces overall system complexity while improving energy efficiency, as the same infrastructure handles both control plane and data plane communications.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of transmitting messages for acquisition of information related to a specific network entity or a link network during network selection in a mobile terminal is disclosed. The method of transmitting messages for acquisition of information related to a network entity or a link network during network selection in a mobile terminal comprises generating, in an upper management entity, a first primitive for requesting information related to the network entity or the link network through an access point (AP), delivering the first primitive to a media access control (MAC) layer, transmitting a first request message including contents of the first primitive to the access point to request the information, receiving a second response message from the access point, the second response message including information related to the specific network entity or the link network, and delivering a third primitive from the MAC layer to the upper management entity, the third primitive including contents of the second response message.