Overlapping WLAN Access Point Coordination Through EDCA Traffic Control
Solution Overview
Problem
In densely distributed wireless local area networks (WLANs), overlapping operating channels of access points (APs) cause air interface congestion, leading to packet loss, long transmission delays, and low throughput, which existing congestion control methods struggle to effectively alleviate.
Innovation Solution
APs with overlapping channels coordinate through traffic control on non-key services by exchanging indications via beacon frames, adjusting Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters, and performing traffic control to relieve congestion and improve Quality of Service (QoS) for both APs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If APs are densely distributed to increase network coverage, then network coverage area is improved, but channel overlap and air interface congestion worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between key services and non-key services, applying different traffic control strategies to each. Key services maintain normal access while non-key services undergo traffic control through EDCA parameter adjustments, allowing localized optimization without affecting overall network coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes EDCA parameters (contention window size, transmission opportunity length) dynamically based on channel conditions and service priorities. This parameter adjustment mechanism allows the system to adapt to dense deployment scenarios by controlling non-key service traffic, thereby reducing congestion while maintaining coverage.
2Reliability
If traffic control is applied to non-key services to reduce congestion, then QoS of key services is improved, but throughput of non-key services deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by proactively controlling non-key service traffic before it causes severe congestion. Through EDCA parameter adjustments and traffic suppression mechanisms, the system prevents congestion from escalating, thereby protecting key service QoS while maintaining acceptable non-key service throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively controlling only non-key services rather than all traffic. This allows the system to achieve congestion relief and improve key service QoS without completely blocking non-key services, thus maintaining some throughput for them while prioritizing key services.
3Productivity
If EDCA parameters are adjusted to control channel access probability, then channel utilization is improved, but complexity of traffic control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where APs monitor channel conditions, detect congestion levels, and adjust EDCA parameters accordingly. This closed-loop control allows the system to optimize channel utilization dynamically while automating the complexity of traffic control, reducing manual configuration requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service through autonomous traffic control where the system automatically detects congestion and adjusts parameters without external intervention. The APs themselves perform the complex traffic control operations based on local conditions, reducing the burden on network operators while maintaining optimal channel utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A congestion control method includes that a first access point receives a first indication from a second access point; and the first access point performs traffic control on a non-key service of the first access point based on the first indication. The first access point is a neighboring access point of the second access point, and an operating channel of the first access point and an operating channel of the second access point overlap.