Neighborhood Area Network Probe Request and Discovery Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neighborhood area network (NaN) detection techniques are inefficient in communicating connection information, particularly in wireless communications systems, as they often require devices to monitor channels for extended periods, leading to increased power consumption and delayed connection establishment.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where wireless communication devices transmit active probe requests to receive NaN discovery information, which includes synchronization and timing details, allowing for faster and more efficient connection establishment by reducing the need for prolonged channel monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices monitor channels for extended periods to detect NaN information, then connection establishment reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and connection speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
NaN devices proactively transmit unsolicited beacons containing connection information before any device requests it. This preliminary action allows detecting devices to quickly acquire NaN information without prolonged channel monitoring, reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable connection establishment
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where detecting devices can send probe requests to request NaN discovery information, and NaN devices respond with relevant connection information. This feedback loop ensures reliable connection establishment while allowing devices to control their power consumption by only monitoring when necessary
2Reliability
If devices monitor channels for extended periods to detect NaN information, then connection establishment reliability is improved, but connection speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Unsolicited beacons are transmitted periodically by NaN devices before any detection is attempted, pre-publishing connection information. This allows detecting devices to quickly capture NaN information as soon as they enter the coverage area, significantly reducing connection establishment time while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The probe request and discovery response mechanism provides immediate feedback when a detecting device requests NaN information. The NaN device responds promptly with connection details, enabling fast connection establishment without requiring extended monitoring periods
3Speed
If unsolicited beacons are transmitted frequently to provide NaN information, then connection establishment speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Unsolicited beacons are transmitted periodically at optimized intervals rather than continuously or too frequently. This periodic transmission provides NaN information to detecting devices in a timely manner while allowing NaN devices to enter low-power states between transmissions, balancing connection speed with power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The same beacon and probe response mechanisms serve multiple functions: they provide synchronization information, transmit NaN discovery information, and enable connection establishment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate communication protocols, lowering overall power consumption while maintaining fast connection establishment
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, and devices are described for wireless communications in which neighborhood area network (NaN) information may be requested and provided in a relatively fast and efficient manner between devices of a NaN. A wireless communication device, such as a station in a wireless communications network, may transmit an active probe request to seek information related to a NaN. The active probe request may be a NaN specific probe request, or may be transmitted from a station as part of an active scan for wireless network infrastructure other than NaN devices (e.g., as part of a scan for an AP in a BSS). An AP or master device of the NaN may receive the probe request and generate a NaN discovery response, which may include information that the requesting device may use for connecting to a device in the NaN.