Multi-AP Transmission Coordination With Power Control for WLANs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless local area networks with overlapping access point coverages, multiple access points cannot simultaneously utilize the same time and frequency resources for transmission, leading to inefficiencies in resource utilization as the number of station devices increases.
Innovation Solution
A method for coordinating multi-access point transmissions involves receiving an indication of a transmit opportunity, transmitting information frames to participating access points, and controlling transmit power levels based on interference levels to facilitate shared downlink data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple access points transmit simultaneously using the same time and frequency resources, then resource utilization improves, but interference between access points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts transmit power levels for each access point based on real-time interference conditions and station locations. The coordinating access point controls the transmit power of participating access points to maintain acceptable interference levels while enabling simultaneous transmissions, making the power allocation adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power level parameter for different access points to resolve the contradiction. By assigning different power levels to different access points based on their specific situations (distance to stations, interference environment), the system enables multiple access points to transmit simultaneously while controlling overall interference through parameter optimization.
2Productivity
If multiple access points share transmit opportunities, then network efficiency improves, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordinating access point that acts as an intermediary to manage the sharing of transmit opportunities. This coordinating AP receives requests from other access points, makes coordination decisions, and controls power levels, thereby centralizing the complexity management and simplifying the overall coordination process while improving network efficiency.
3Area of stationary object
If access points transmit at higher power levels to reach more stations, then coverage improves, but interference to other transmissions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different power levels to different access points based on local conditions such as distance to target stations and interference environment. Each access point transmits at an optimized power level tailored to its specific situation rather than using a uniform power level, thereby extending coverage where needed while minimizing interference in other areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a first wireless access point for coordinating a multi-access point transmission in a wireless network of multiple access points includes receiving an indication of a transmit opportunity for the first wireless access point, transmitting at least one indication frame to the multiple access points comprising information related to the transmit opportunity, receiving at least one request frame from one or more access points of the multiple access points indicating participation with the transmit opportunity, and transmitting a trigger frame to the one or more access points that indicated participation with the transmit opportunity, wherein the trigger frame comprises information indicating respective power levels for the participating access points. The shared transmit opportunity may then be used to transmit downlink data to associated stations of the first wireless access point and the other participating access points during the transmit opportunity.