Parallel WLAN Transmission via Coordinated AP Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless local area networks (WLANs), channel resource utilization is not ideal due to the CSMA/CA mechanism, where access points typically cannot send signals simultaneously, leading to inefficient use of channels and potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for parallel transmission, where a control device configures configuration parameters for multiple access points to allow them to send WLAN frames simultaneously using the same channel resource, ensuring signal interference between station sets is below a threshold, enabling simultaneous transmission without causing channel busy conditions for other access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access points use CSMA/CA mechanism to send signals, then collision avoidance is achieved, but channel resource utilization is not ideal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel access control by introducing a coordinator that divides STAs into different sets (first station set, second station set, etc.) and assigns different starting times for each set. This segmentation allows multiple APs to transmit simultaneously without collision by controlling which STAs transmit at each time slot, thereby improving channel utilization while maintaining collision avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinator performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the station sets and starting times before actual transmission occurs. The coordinator determines in advance which STAs belong to which sets and assigns starting times, enabling synchronized transmission that improves channel utilization while preventing collisions through predetermined coordination.
2Reliability
If one AP sends a signal, then the channel is occupied, but another AP cannot send a signal on the channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments STAs into multiple sets with different starting times, allowing different APs to transmit simultaneously on the same channel without interference. The coordinator manages these sets to ensure that when one AP transmits, other APs with different starting times are not transmitting, thus maintaining signal reliability while improving overall channel utilization through parallel transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinator performs preliminary configuration of station sets and starting times, enabling multiple APs to be assigned different transmission start times. This preliminary coordination allows the system to achieve simultaneous transmissions from multiple APs without mutual interference, thereby improving channel resource utilization while ensuring reliable signal transmission for each AP.
3Productivity
If multiple STAs transmit simultaneously, then channel resource utilization improves, but signal interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments STAs into different sets (first station set, second station set, etc.) with different starting times. The coordinator controls which set transmits at each time slot, ensuring that STAs in different sets transmit at different times. This segmentation reduces signal interference between STAs while maintaining high channel resource utilization through efficient parallel transmission opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinator performs preliminary determination of station sets and starting times before transmission. By pre-configuring which STAs belong to which sets and assigning starting times, the system ensures that STAs transmit in a coordinated manner that minimizes interference while maximizing channel utilization, allowing multiple STAs to transmit simultaneously when interference thresholds are not exceeded.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses a parallel transmission method and apparatus, and relates to the field of communications technologies, to help improve channel resource utilization. The method includes: configuring, by a WLAN control device, a first configuration parameter for a first access point, and configuring a second configuration parameter for a second access point. The first configuration parameter is used to indicate that the first access point can send a first WLAN frame to at least one station in a first station set at a starting time by using a channel resource. The first station set includes one or more stations associated with the first access point. The second configuration parameter is used to indicate that the second access point can send a second WLAN frame to at least one station in a second station set at the starting time by using the channel resource. The second station set includes one or more stations associated with the second access point. Signal interference between any station in the first station set and any station in the second station set is less than a predefined threshold.