Multi-band mmWave Network Discovery via Sub-6 GHz Beacon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current millimeter wave (mmWave) communication systems face significant signaling overhead due to the need for frequent directional beacon transmissions, which increases network discovery delay and overhead.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution utilizes a multi-band approach, where mmWave networks announce their existence on the sub-6 GHz band using reduced power messages, allowing new nodes to discover neighbors and receive assistance from existing mesh nodes, thereby reducing the need for continuous directional beacon transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If directional beacon transmissions are used for network discovery in mmWave systems, then network discovery capability is achieved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sub-6 GHz dimension for network discovery announcements, complementing the traditional mmWave directional beacons. New nodes can discover networks through sub-6 GHz omnidirectional announcements before establishing mmWave connections, reducing the reliance on frequent directional beacon transmissions and thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining discovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-6 GHz band acts as an intermediary for network discovery announcements. Instead of relying solely on mmWave directional beacons, the system uses sub-6 GHz omnidirectional transmissions as a mediator to announce network existence and assist new node discovery, reducing the burden on mmWave signaling.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If frequent directional beacon transmissions are performed for network discovery, then new nodes can discover the network, but network discovery delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary network announcement actions on the sub-6 GHz band before mmWave connection establishment. New nodes can preliminarily discover network existence and obtain basic information through sub-6 GHz announcements, preparing for faster mmWave connection establishment and reducing overall discovery delay.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the sub-6 GHz dimension for announcements, the system creates an additional discovery path that is not limited by mmWave directional constraints and high path loss, enabling faster initial network detection and reducing the time required for new nodes to discover available networks.
3Reliability
If mmWave networks use directional communications for all functions, then link reliability is improved, but network announcement efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different communication characteristics to different functions: sub-6 GHz omnidirectional transmissions are used for network announcements where coverage is critical, while mmWave directional communications are used for data transmission where link reliability is critical. This local quality differentiation optimizes both announcement efficiency and link reliability without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the sub-6 GHz band for multiple functions including network announcements and initial discovery, while mmWave is used for high-rate data transmission. This multi-functionality allocation allows each band to operate in its optimal performance regime, improving overall system efficiency while maintaining reliability where needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Multi-band signaling is described for reducing signaling overhead in an apparatus and method for communications within a mesh network. The communications involve using two different beacon signals on two different communication channels. Peer beacons are sent using directional millimeter-wave (mmW) communications to provide time synchronization and resource management information to maintain existing links among one or more neighboring peer stations. A separate network discovery beacon is sent over a sub-6 GHz communication channel, to provide mesh network profile information that identifies the mesh network to aid network discovery for wireless communication stations wanting to join the mesh network.