P2P Ranging Exchange via Fine Timing Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In peer-to-peer wireless communication networks, existing methods often form groups without prior range determination, leading to inconvenient connections, such as using a printer located on another floor, and lack accurate distance estimation, resulting in delays and potential interference.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a ranging exchange method before group formation, utilizing fine timing measurement (FTM) techniques to accurately estimate distances between devices, and incorporating power save features like opportunistic power save and notice of absence to avoid interference and conserve energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If group formation is performed without prior range determination, then device connectivity is established quickly, but connection convenience deteriorates (e.g., connecting to devices on other floors)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs ranging exchange operations before group formation to determine the physical distance between devices. This preliminary action ensures that only devices within appropriate range proceed to group formation, eliminating inconvenient long-distance connections while maintaining efficient setup through automated pre-screening.
2Reliability
If ranging exchange is performed after group formation, then group connectivity is established first, but delays occur and interference is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs ranging exchange operations before group formation to determine the physical distance between devices. This preliminary action ensures that only devices within appropriate range proceed to group formation, eliminating inconvenient long-distance connections while maintaining efficient setup through automated pre-screening.
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices continuously monitor for probe requests during advertise state, then device discoverability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements opportunistic power save mode where devices alternate between active listening states and low-power states. Devices periodically wake to listen for probe requests and ranging requests, then return to sleep mode. This periodic operation maintains device discoverability while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for discovering devices in a peer to peer (P2P) wireless communication network is described. During a search state of a first communication device, a probe request is transmitted by the first communication device on a first channel included in a plurality of channels. During the search state, a probe response transmitted by a second communication device on the first channel is received by the first communication device. In response to the probe response, a ranging exchange with the second communication device is performed by the first communication device.