Multi-Link Beacon Reception via AP Mediated Path Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in discovering and determining coverage information of multi-link Basic Service Sets (BSSs) in wireless networks, leading to increased power consumption and suboptimal network performance, especially when devices need to operate on multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting beacon and groupcast transmission parameters from one Access Point (AP) to a non-AP Multi-Link Device (MLD), allowing the MLD to calculate path loss and estimate coverage without direct scanning, using parameters like transmit power, channel bandwidth, and data rate, and selecting APs based on link budget information to optimize channel association and groupcast transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wireless device uses typical search and discovery procedures to find suitable BSS, then the device can determine BSS reachability, but the process requires transmitting beacon frames or probe response frames on each operating channel, increasing power consumption and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first AP pre-calculate and provide path loss information and coverage estimates for multiple APs before the non-AP MLD needs to perform discovery. This allows the non-AP MLD to determine BSS reachability without having to transmit beacon frames or probe responses on each channel, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable reachability determination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach where the first AP acts as a mediator that provides calculated path loss information and coverage estimates to the non-AP MLD. Instead of the non-AP MLD directly scanning each channel and transmitting frames, it receives pre-computed information from the first AP, which reduces the discovery overhead and power consumption while maintaining accurate reachability determination
2Measurement precision
If a wireless device scans each BSS directly to determine coverage information, then accurate coverage data is obtained, but the process is time-consuming and increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The first AP performs preliminary calculations of path loss information and coverage estimates for multiple APs before the non-AP MLD needs the information. This pre-computation provides accurate coverage data without requiring the non-AP MLD to spend time scanning each BSS directly, thereby reducing discovery time while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by having the first AP provide calculated path loss information and coverage estimates that represent the coverage characteristics of multiple APs. The non-AP MLD uses these copied information sets to determine coverage without directly measuring each BSS, achieving accurate coverage information with reduced time expenditure
3Productivity
If multi-link operations are implemented to increase bandwidth, then network throughput is improved, but the complexity of discovering and determining coverage information of multiple BSSs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by consolidating the discovery process for multiple APs into a single information exchange. The first AP provides path loss information and coverage estimates for multiple APs in one set of transmissions, allowing the non-AP MLD to determine coverage for all links simultaneously. This reduces the complexity of discovering multiple BSSs while maintaining the high throughput benefits of multi-link operations
Solution Approach 2:
The first AP performs a universal function by calculating and providing path loss information and coverage estimates for multiple APs operating on different frequency bands. This single action serves the multi-functionality need of the non-AP MLD to evaluate multiple links across different bands, simplifying the discovery process while supporting complex multi-link operations
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, apparatus and methods that provide transmission information of different APs to a wireless device during link discovery. The transmission information is used to determine AP coverage/link reachability information for performing channel association, channel switching, multi-AP coordination, or groupcast transmission and reception, for example. The transmission information can correspond to APs affiliated with the same AP MLD or APs affiliated with different AP MLDs. In this way, wireless devices can identify a link with sufficient coverage according to reachability information determined for different APs without having to scan each BSS directly, which advantageously reduces power consumption and improves wireless network performance.