Wireless Probe Request Power Control for Channel Congestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, the exchange of probe requests and responses between multiple access points (APs) and terminal devices consumes significant medium resources, leading to congestion as the number of APs and terminal devices increases, especially when all devices respond to probe requests within their transmission range.
Innovation Solution
A method where terminal devices determine the closest access point(s) by analyzing downlink frames and adjust their transmission power to ensure only the closest AP(s) receive the probe request, reducing the number of responding devices and thereby alleviating channel congestion, by using a process that computes a sufficient transmission power based on path loss estimation and signal-to-noise ratio, and optionally adjusts carrier sensing thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terminal devices transmit probe requests with maximum transmission power to ensure reliable connection establishment, then connection reliability is improved, but channel congestion increases due to excessive probe responses from multiple access points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the transmission power parameter based on the received signal strength from access points. Terminal devices calculate path loss from downlink frames and adjust uplink transmission power accordingly, using only sufficient power to reach the intended access point rather than always using maximum power, thereby reducing probe response congestion while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting probe requests with just enough power to reach the target access point rather than using excessive maximum power. This selective power adjustment ensures reliable connection establishment for the intended AP while avoiding unnecessary interference and reducing the number of responding APs
2Loss of information
If all access points within transmission range respond to probe requests, then network discovery completeness is improved, but medium resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different access points respond differently to the same probe request based on their relative position and signal strength to the terminal device. Only access points that receive the probe request with sufficient signal strength (indicating they are the closest or nearest) will respond, creating a localized response pattern that reduces overall medium resource consumption while maintaining necessary network discovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from downlink frame reception to adjust uplink transmission behavior. Terminal devices measure the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) from downlink frames, calculate path loss, and use this feedback information to determine the appropriate transmission power for probe requests, thereby optimizing medium resource usage
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer program is presented for scanning in a wireless network. A wireless device receives a downlink frame from two access points, the downlink frames indicating their respective transmission powers. The wireless device then determines the closest access point and a transmission power sufficient to reach that access point. Then, the wireless device carries out transmission of a probe request with the determined transmission power.