Probe Request Frame Compression for AP Discovery

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for scanning access points (APs) in wireless local area networks (WLANs) are inefficient, leading to increased power consumption and search time due to the need to transmit multiple probe request frames for each AP, and result in reduced wireless channel efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the generation and transmission of probe request frames using compressed service set identifiers (SSIDs) or hash function values, allowing for the identification of target or exclusion APs, thereby reducing the length of the probe request frames and improving channel efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a terminal transmits multiple probe request frames to search for multiple APs, then the terminal can discover more access points, but power consumption increases and search time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAP discovery capabilityVSAvoidterminal power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple probe request frames into a single frame by merging multiple SSID elements into one transmission. The terminal generates a probe request frame that contains multiple SSID elements, each representing a different AP to search for, thereby transmitting one frame instead of multiple separate frames to discover multiple APs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The probe request frame is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it can search for multiple different APs (multiple SSIDs) in a single transmission. The frame structure allows it to universally address multiple target APs rather than being limited to a single AP per frame.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a terminal transmits multiple probe request frames to search for multiple APs, then the terminal can discover more access points, but the search time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAP discovery capabilityVSAvoidAP search time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple probe request frames into a single frame by merging multiple SSID elements into one transmission. The terminal generates a probe request frame that contains multiple SSID elements, each representing a different AP to search for, thereby transmitting one frame instead of multiple separate frames to discover multiple APs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the terminal to rush through the AP discovery process by transmitting all necessary probe requests in a single frame rather than sequentially sending multiple frames. This skipping approach eliminates the time delay between multiple transmissions and accelerates the overall discovery process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Reliability

If multiple probe request frames are transmitted for each AP, then comprehensive AP scanning is achieved, but wireless channel efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning completenessVSAvoidwireless channel efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple probe request frames into a single frame by merging multiple SSID elements into one transmission. The terminal generates a probe request frame that contains multiple SSID elements, each representing a different AP to search for, thereby transmitting one frame instead of multiple separate frames to discover multiple APs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10123261B2Method of scanning access point

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 RED HAT INC

AI summary

A method of scanning an access point is disclosed. The method of scanning the access point includes creating a probe request frame including information created based on an identifier of an access point to be searched, and transmitting the probe request frame. Thus, it is possible to decrease the time and power consumed by a terminal when searching an access point.