Off-Channel Scanning and Grouping for Wireless Location Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in timely and reliable location determination of wireless client devices due to the lack of intelligent channel assignment and time synchronization among multiple access points, leading to high location latency and contention for measurement resources.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to allocate time slots and group wireless access points such that they are sufficiently separated and synchronized, allowing only specific access points to transmit frames that provoke response frames from client devices, thereby minimizing contention and ensuring accurate location measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple wireless access points scan all channels simultaneously to locate wireless client devices, then location coverage is improved, but resource contention and measurement reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel scanning process by dividing access points into different groups, where each group scans a specific subset of channels during allocated time slots. This segmentation prevents all access points from scanning all channels simultaneously, thereby reducing resource contention while maintaining comprehensive location coverage through coordinated group scanning.
2Measurement precision
If numerous access points tune to the same channel to receive transmissions from target devices, then location measurement capability is improved, but resource contention and timing synchronization difficulties worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by allocating specific time slots to different access point groups for scanning designated channels. During each time slot, only the assigned access points tune to their designated channels, while other access points remain on different channels. This periodic, time-scheduled approach enables multiple access points to participate in location measurements without simultaneous channel contention, thereby improving measurement capability while maintaining timing synchronization.
3Speed
If all access points continuously scan all channels to ensure timely location updates, then location timeliness is improved, but energy consumption and resource contention worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by implementing time-scheduled scanning where access points alternate between scanning designated channels and remaining on their operating channels. Instead of continuous scanning of all channels, access points periodically tune to specific channels during allocated time slots, thereby maintaining location update timeliness through coordinated scheduling while significantly reducing energy consumption and resource contention compared to continuous full-channel scanning.
4Reliability
If access points are grouped and assigned to specific channels, then resource contention is reduced, but system complexity and assignment coordination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing access points into distinct groups and assigning each group to specific channels and time slots. This segmentation reduces resource contention by ensuring that access points in the same group do not simultaneously scan the same channels. The system manages the increased assignment coordination complexity through centralized control that tracks group assignments, time slot allocations, and channel mappings, thereby achieving reliable resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of time slots are allocated during which a location procedure is performed for one or more target wireless devices. Select ones of a plurality of wireless access points at different positions are assigned to each time slot such that multiple wireless access points assigned to a given time slot are sufficiently separated. In addition, wireless access points are assigned to a corresponding one of a plurality of groups for each time slot such that wireless access points assigned to a group tune to a channel used by a wireless access point in the group that transmits one or more frames that are intended to provoke one or more response frames from the one or more wireless devices.