NAN Service Discovery Proxy for Wi-Fi Direct Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly Wi-Fi networks, face challenges in the setup and coordination of direct communication between mobile stations without an intermediate access point, leading to inefficiencies in service discovery and management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) service discovery proxy mechanism that enables wireless stations to register, publish, subscribe to, and manage services directly with each other, using a service discovery proxy (NSDP) to facilitate communication and conserve power by allowing low-power devices to sleep while remaining discoverable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct communication between wireless stations is implemented without an intermediate access point, then device autonomy and communication efficiency are improved, but setup and coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service discovery proxy that acts as an intermediary between wireless stations engaged in direct communication. This proxy handles service discovery, registration, and coordination tasks, thereby maintaining communication efficiency while offloading the setup and coordination complexity to the proxy rather than the end devices.
2Use of energy by moving object
If low-power devices sleep to conserve energy, then power consumption is reduced, but service discoverability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a mechanism where low-power devices perform preliminary service registration with the service discovery proxy before entering sleep mode. The proxy retains service information and can respond to discovery requests on behalf of sleeping devices, ensuring service discoverability is maintained without requiring the devices to remain awake or actively transmitting.
3Productivity
If service discovery proxy is introduced to manage direct communication, then service management efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service discovery proxy is designed to perform multiple functions including service registration, service discovery, device coordination, and power management assistance. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional component, the system achieves improved service management efficiency while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity through functional consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, one or more wireless stations operate to configure Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN)—direct communication with neighboring wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to aspects of NAN communication, including service discovery proxy registration, publishing, and subscription of services via the proxy, maintenance of the proxy, and de-registration of the proxy.