OBSS Frame Burst Synchronization for Channel Contention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Increased density in wireless networks leads to medium contention and performance degradation due to frame bursting in overlapping basic service sets (OBSS), where access points fail to relinquish control of the wireless channel, preventing other devices from communicating.
Innovation Solution
Synchronizing access points in the same OBSS channel to determine a distribution policy for frame bursting, allowing each AP to use frame burst synchronization packets to indicate client device numbers and adjust frame burst transmit opportunity durations based on the total number of clients, thereby distributing access to the wireless channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If frame bursting is used to improve throughput in wireless networks, then transmission efficiency is improved, but medium contention increases and network performance degrades in overlapping basic service sets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having access points send frame burst synchronization packets before actual data transmission to announce their intended frame burst duration. This allows other APs to anticipate and avoid collisions before they occur, enabling frame bursting to proceed efficiently without degrading network performance in OBSS scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where access points transmit synchronization packets containing information about their frame burst intentions, and receive similar packets from other APs. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of transmission parameters and distribution policies to optimize throughput while preventing medium contention in dense network environments
2Speed
If access points continuously hold control of the wireless channel during frame bursting, then transmission speed increases, but other devices cannot communicate on the same channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the channel control duration adjustable rather than fixed. Access points dynamically determine their frame burst duration based on the number of associated client devices and current network conditions, allowing faster transmission when needed while ensuring channel accessibility for other devices when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the transmission of frame burst synchronization packets at regular intervals during the frame burst period. These periodic packets announce the AP's transmission intentions and allow other devices to periodically check channel status, creating a rhythm that balances continuous transmission with channel sharing
3Reliability
If frame burst synchronization packets are transmitted frequently to coordinate OBSS APs, then channel access is optimized, but overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having access points transmit frame burst synchronization packets only when necessary - specifically when they intend to perform frame bursting or when operating in OBSS conditions. This selective transmission approach optimizes coordination while minimizing unnecessary overhead compared to continuous synchronization traffic
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for frame burst overlapping basic service set (OBSS) handling. In various embodiments, the disclosed methods and systems provide for synchronizing access points (APs) in the same channel. Based on the synchronizing, the APs in the same OBSS channel can determine a distribution policy for using frame bursting. Each AP can use frame bursting in accordance with the distribution policy. In various embodiments, the APs can periodically send frame burst synchronization packets. The frame burst synchronization packets can indicate respective numbers of client devices associated with each AP. Based on the frame burst synchronization packets sent by the APs, a total number of client devices using the same channel can be determined. The distribution policy for using frame bursting can be determined based on the total number of client devices.