Multi-AP Beam Synchronization for Simultaneous Joint Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks face challenges in coordinating joint/coordinated transmission between multiple access points and stations, particularly in managing beamforming and synchronization, especially in scenarios where the relative positions of access points and stations change, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for managing joint/coordinated transmission by implementing a measurement report system where stations receive messages from multiple access points, calculate time differences, and adjust transmission times to ensure simultaneous data arrival, using beamforming techniques and AI/ML models to predict and optimize communication parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple access points perform joint/coordinated transmission to a station, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but synchronization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master access point as an intermediary that coordinates with slave access points. The master AP receives measurement reports from the station, calculates time delay values, and transmits synchronization information to slave APs. This intermediary structure simplifies the synchronization complexity by centralizing the coordination function rather than requiring all APs to synchronize directly with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary synchronization actions through a structured message exchange process. Before actual data transmission, the master AP exchanges timing messages (Measurement Request, Synchronization Frame, etc.) with slave APs to pre-calculate and establish time delay values. This preliminary action ensures that when joint transmission occurs, all APs are already synchronized, reducing real-time synchronization complexity.
2Reliability
If access points adjust transmission times for simultaneous data arrival, then communication performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the station measures the arrival time of synchronization frames from different access points and reports these measurements back to the master AP. The master AP uses this feedback information to calculate and adjust time delay values for each slave AP. This closed-loop feedback system enables automatic optimization of transmission timing without requiring complex manual coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service synchronization where access points automatically adjust their own transmission times based on received synchronization information. Each slave AP receives synchronization frames from the master AP, extracts timing information, and autonomously adjusts its transmission schedule. This self-service approach reduces the coordination complexity by distributing the adjustment burden to individual APs rather than requiring centralized control of all transmissions.
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provide methods, apparatuses and computer program products for managing joint/coordinated transmission from a first access point and a second access point to a station with a view to improving such transmissions and the establishment of joint/coordinated communications. A method comprises receiving, by the station, a first message from the first access point, receiving, by the station, a second message from the second access point, computing, by the station, a measurement report, transmitting, by the station, the measurement report, and adapting the station to receive a joint/coordinated data transmission from the first and the second access points.