6 GHz AP Discovery Using PSC Beacons for Non-PSC Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Wi-Fi 6 devices face inefficiencies in scanning for access points (APs) due to the lack of support for initiating Basic Service Sets (BSS) on both preferred and non-preferred scanning channels in the 6 GHz band, leading to prolonged scanning times.
Innovation Solution
A multi-link device (MLD) operates in the 6 GHz band with multiple APs, where one AP initiates its BSS on a preferred scanning channel (PSC) and includes information about other APs in Beacon, Probe Response, or Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) discovery frames, allowing other APs to initiate their BSS on non-preferred scanning channels (non-PSC) and share this information via Neighbour Report (NR) or Reduced Neighbour Report (RNR) elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an STA scans all channels in the 6 GHz band to discover APs, then complete discovery is achieved, but scanning time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 6 GHz band into PSC channels (every 4th channel) and non-PSC channels. STAs only need to scan PSC channels for initial discovery, while non-PSC channel APs are discovered through neighbour report elements in beacon frames transmitted by PSC channel APs. This segmentation reduces scanning time while maintaining complete discovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
PSC channel APs act as intermediaries that transmit neighbour report elements containing information about non-PSC channel APs. This allows STAs to discover non-PSC APs indirectly through the neighbour report mechanism, eliminating the need for direct scanning of non-PSC channels.
2Ease of operation
If all APs initiate BSS on PSC channels, then STA discovery is simplified, but channel utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows APs to be segmented across different channel types (PSC and non-PSC). This enables better distribution of APs across the 6 GHz spectrum, improving channel utilization efficiency while maintaining the simplicity of PSC-based STA discovery through neighbour report elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple APs operate on non-PSC channels, then channel diversity is improved, but STA scanning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
PSC channel APs serve as intermediaries that carry neighbour report elements containing information about non-PSC channel APs. This allows multiple APs to operate on diverse channels while keeping STA scanning simple, as STAs only need to scan PSC channels and receive neighbour report information.
Solution Approach 2:
PSC channel APs perform multiple functions: they provide their own BSS service and simultaneously act as information carriers for non-PSC channel APs through neighbour report elements. This multi-functionality enables channel diversity without increasing STA scanning complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-link device (MLD) operates in a 6 GHz band including a plurality of channels including preferred scanning channels (PSC channels) and non-preferred scanning channels (non-PSC channels), wherein the channels occupy 20 MHz of the 6 GHz band. The MLD includes: a first access point (AP), which initiates its Basic Service Set (BSS) on one of the PSC channels, and sends out Beacon, Probe Response or Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) discovery frames for association by at least a Station (STA) scanning the 6 GHz band; and at least a second AP, which initiates its BSS on one of the non-PSC channels. The first AP includes information of the second AP in a Neighbour report (NR) or Reduced Neighbour Report (RNR) element in the Beacon, Probe Response or FILS discovery frames.