Multi-BSS Discovery Assistance for Efficient mmW Neighborhood Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless local area networks (WLANs) in the millimeter wave (mmW) regime face challenges in neighborhood discovery due to high path loss, blockage, and reflections, leading to inefficient spectrum use and increased latency from constant beacon transmissions, especially in directional communications.
Innovation Solution
A multi-BSS discovery assistance mechanism where a new station requests discovery assistance from neighboring stations via the sub-6 GHz band, which is then propagated through a Multi-MAC Station Management Entity (MM-SME) to other BSSs, optimizing beamforming and reducing unnecessary beacon transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If STAs constantly send discovery signals (beacons or beamforming frames) to enable neighborhood discovery in mmW networks, then discovery reliability is improved, but spectrum efficiency deteriorates and latency increases due to constant interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic discovery signals instead of constant transmissions. STAs send beacons and beamforming frames at scheduled intervals during designated discovery periods, allowing the system to maintain discovery capability while reducing overall transmission frequency and improving spectrum efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes discovery periods and schedules beacon transmissions in advance before the actual discovery process begins. This preliminary planning allows STAs to know when to expect discovery signals, reducing the need for constant monitoring and transmission interruptions.
2Reliability
If STAs constantly send discovery signals to enable neighborhood discovery, then discovery reliability is improved, but latency increases due to constant interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
By using periodic discovery signals at optimized intervals, the system maintains reliable discovery capability while minimizing the frequency of transmissions that cause interruptions and latency. The periodic nature allows for predictable scheduling and reduced waiting time between discovery opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous discovery capability through scheduled periodic transmissions rather than intermittent constant transmissions. This ensures that discovery functions are always available while optimizing the timing to minimize disruptions to data traffic and reduce overall latency.
3Reliability
If directional antennas are used to overcome path loss in mmW communications, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but neighborhood discovery becomes more challenging due to directional transmission constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic beamforming frames and sector sweeping during designated discovery periods, where directional antennas systematically scan different sectors. This periodic sector-level sweeping allows STAs to discover neighbors in all directions over time while maintaining focused directional transmissions for improved SNR during each sweep.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the discovery process into segmented sector sweeps, where directional antennas systematically scan through different spatial sectors in sequence. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high gain in each directional sector while collectively covering all possible directions for complete neighborhood discovery.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless communication apparatus / system / method utilizing directional data transmission over a communication (e.g., mmW) band and propagating discovery assistance (DA) request and responses to neighboring stations (e.g., in its BSS or in the surrounding area) and performing cooperative discovery with other BSS to increasing network efficiency. Discovery assistance requests include a discovery assistance element and a DMG capability element of the first neighboring station, which is propagated to other stations in the BSS of AP/PCP station.