Multiple-BSSID Management Frame Reuse to Reduce WLAN Overhead
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In WLAN communication, management frames sent by access points (APs) carry redundant data due to repeating specific elements for multiple APs, leading to unnecessary overheads and reduced communication efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Reusing the value of a specific element of a first AP in a management frame to indicate the same value for multiple APs within a BSSID set, eliminating the need for multiple identical elements in the frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a management frame carries a plurality of specific elements to indicate communication parameters of multiple APs, then the communication parameters of all APs can be indicated, but the management frame contains repeated redundant data causing unnecessary overheads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the specific elements for multiple APs into a single shared element. When an AP transmits a management frame, it includes a specific element (e.g., channel switch announcement element) only once, and this single element is reused to indicate communication parameters for multiple APs within the same multiple BSSID set, thereby eliminating redundant data while maintaining complete parameter indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The specific element in the management frame is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously. A single specific element can indicate communication parameters for multiple APs (e.g., DFS channel status, quiet period information) within the same multiple BSSID set, making the element universal rather than dedicated to a single AP.
2Reliability
If a management frame carries a corresponding specific element for each AP, then all APs can be properly indicated, but communication efficiency is affected due to unnecessary overheads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple specific elements into one shared element that serves multiple APs. By merging the indication functionality for multiple APs into a single specific element, the management frame size is reduced, overhead is minimized, and communication efficiency is improved while maintaining accurate indication for all APs through the reused element value.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides communication methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media. In an example, a value of a specific element of a first access point (AP) (or a second AP) is reused in a management frame, to indicate specific elements of a plurality of APs in a multiple basic service set identifier (BSSID) set to which the first AP (or the second AP) belongs. The management frame does not need to carry a plurality of same specific elements in the multiple BSSID set. The described techniques can be applied to, for example, a wireless local area network system supporting IEEE 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocols, for example, 802.11 series protocols such as the 802.11be or the EHT.