Multi-band Wrapper Information Element for WLAN Parameter Signaling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing WLAN protocols do not provide a way to signal operating parameters across all supported frequency bands, leading to challenges in seamless communication and compatibility with multiple frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
A wireless device generates a multi-band wrapper information element or a neighbor report information element, which includes subelements conveying communication information for specific frequency bands. This information is transmitted in a management frame over a first frequency band, allowing other devices to obtain operating parameters for different frequency bands without performing a scan or probe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If existing WLAN protocols are used to communicate over multiple frequency bands, then communication can be established on each band independently, but devices must perform separate scan and probe operations for each band, increasing latency and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by including operating parameters for multiple frequency bands in advance within a single management frame (beacon or probe response). This allows receiving devices to obtain all necessary information for associating with multiple bands simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate scan and probe operations for each band, thereby reducing latency and simplifying the discovery process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the discovery process for multiple frequency bands into a single operation. By consolidating operating parameters from multiple bands into one management frame, the patent combines what would otherwise require multiple separate discovery procedures into a single unified process, reducing both time and complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If operating parameters for each frequency band are signaled separately, then each band can be optimized independently, but this increases the overall signaling overhead and message size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a multi-band wrapper information element that serves multiple frequency bands simultaneously. This single data structure carries operating parameters for multiple bands, allowing the same signaling mechanism to function across different frequency bands without requiring separate optimized structures for each band, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing overall overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses nesting by placing multiple band-specific information elements within a single multi-band wrapper information element. This nested structure allows efficient packaging of frequency band-specific parameters within a unified container, reducing the total signaling overhead compared to transmitting separate information elements for each band independently
3Loss of information
If devices perform scan and probe operations for each frequency band, then complete information can be obtained for each band, but this increases the time required for association and communication setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-populating the multi-band wrapper information element with complete operating parameters for all supported frequency bands before transmission. This ensures that receiving devices obtain all necessary information in a single management frame without needing to perform additional scan or probe operations for each band, maintaining parameter completeness while significantly reducing association time
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are described for wireless communications. A wireless device may advertise communication parameters for a particular frequency band over another frequency band. In one example, a wireless device generates multi-band wrapper information element or a neighbor report information element, which may include one or more subelements, each conveying communication information for a particular frequency band. The wireless device may include the multi-band wrapper information element or the neighbor report information element in a management frame and may transmit the management frame over a first frequency band. Another wireless device may receive the management frame over the first frequency band and may obtain the communication information for other frequency bands from the included multi-band wrapper information element. In some cases, a subelement carries communication information that is sufficient for the receiving device to directly associate with the transmitting device over the other frequency bands.