Radio Resource Measurement Request Handling in WLAN Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio communication systems, particularly those operating under the IEEE 802.11 standard, lack efficient mechanisms for requesting and performing radio resource measurements, leading to inefficient and resource-consumptive trial-and-error procedures when measurement periods are unacceptably lengthy, resulting in rejected requests and increased signaling overhead.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow a first communication station to request radio resource measurements from a second station, specifying a mandatory or non-mandatory measurement period, enabling the second station to perform the measurement for the requested duration or a shorter period if necessary, without additional signaling, thereby reducing overhead and time delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a measurement request specifies a long measurement period to ensure accurate radio resource measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the measurement period flexible rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the measurement period based on whether the requested period is mandatory or suggested. When a suggested period is specified and the station cannot complete measurements for the full period, the system adapts by performing measurements for a shorter duration, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and time consumption.
2Measurement precision
If a measurement request specifies a long measurement period to ensure accurate radio resource measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces signaling overhead by dynamically handling measurement period specifications. Instead of requiring multiple rigid signaling exchanges to negotiate measurement parameters, the system uses a flexible approach where the second station can autonomously adjust the measurement period when it receives a suggested (non-mandatory) period that it cannot fully accommodate. This eliminates the need for additional back-and-forth signaling to renegotiate parameters.
3Ease of operation
If the measurement period is made flexible and adjustable, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic measurement period adjustment mechanism that preserves measurement precision when possible. The system first attempts to perform measurements for the full requested period when a suggested period is specified. Only when the station cannot complete measurements for the full period does it reduce the measurement duration. This dynamic approach maintains ease of operation while protecting measurement accuracy to the extent possible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement period parameter dynamically based on operational conditions. When a suggested measurement period is specified and the station cannot accommodate it, the system modifies the period parameter to a shorter duration. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain operational flexibility while attempting to preserve measurement quality by only reducing the period when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, and an associated method, for requesting a measurement to be performed at a communication station of a radio communication system, such as a WLAN. A measurement request message is generated at a requesting station. The measurement request message includes fields identifying a selected measurement type and a field identifying a duration period for which the measurement is requested to be made. The duration period is mandatory or non-mandatory. The request message is communicated to a communication station whereat the message is detected and the values contained therein are identified. Selection is made at the communication station to which the message is delivered whether to perform the requested measurement for the requested duration period. If the requested duration period is non-mandatory, the communication station is able to select a duration period of lesser length during which to perform the requested measurement.