Network Interface Channel Scanning for Throughput Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, the process of scanning multiple channels for data throughput can lead to significant delays, causing higher layer protocols like TCP/IP to interpret this as network congestion, resulting in unnecessary reduction of packet transmission rates due to the inability to distinguish between actual congestion and channel scanning activities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the network interface module receives scan channel requests and determines if an Internet packet is being received, allowing it to selectively scan channels, avoiding excessive latency and maintaining optimal data throughput by toggling between supporting high layer protocols and scanning other channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the wireless transceiver scans all available channels to detect other nodes and maintain network awareness, then the channel scanning completeness is improved, but the data throughput of higher layer protocols deteriorates due to excessive scanning time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively scanning only a subset of channels rather than all available channels. The transceiver determines which channels to scan based on current communication needs, scanning frequency, and network conditions, thereby reducing total scanning time while maintaining adequate network awareness. This resolves the contradiction by performing sufficient (but not exhaustive) channel scanning to preserve throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic channel scanning where the transceiver alternates between scanning channels and maintaining current communication. Instead of continuously scanning all channels, the system performs scanning at scheduled intervals or based on triggers, allowing data transmission to proceed uninterrupted during non-scanning periods. This periodic approach maintains network awareness while minimizing throughput impact.
2Loss of information
If the transceiver tunes to multiple different channels to determine association interest, then the network awareness is improved, but the time required for channel determination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining which channels are worth scanning based on historical data, network configuration, and current communication state. Before actual scanning begins, the system identifies priority channels that are most likely to contain relevant network information, thereby reducing the number of channels that need to be physically tuned and scanned, cutting determination time while preserving awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by focusing scanning resources on specific channels or frequency ranges that are locally relevant to the current communication context. Instead of uniformly scanning all channels with equal effort, the system concentrates scanning on channels adjacent to the current channel or channels known to be active in the local network environment, reducing total scanning time while maintaining effective network awareness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for interoperability of a network interface protocol with an Internet interface protocol begins by receiving a scan channel request of a plurality of channels that are in accordance with the network interface protocol. The method then continues by determining whether an Internet packet is being received via one of the plurality of channels when the channel scan request is received (i.e., is a higher layer protocol supporting a current transmission). If so, the method continues by scanning at least one channel of the plurality of channels, but does not scan all of the plurality of channels at one time. The method continues after the scanning by tuning to the channel supporting the higher layer protocol communication to transmit at least one outbound Internet packet. The method then continues by scanning at least another channel of the plurality of channels.