RIS-Coordinated WLAN Roaming With Prioritized AP Time Slices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless local area network (WLAN) systems lack seamless roaming capabilities for wireless clients transitioning between access points, which can lead to disruptions in communication quality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implement coordinated steering techniques for Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) devices in a prioritized time-sliced manner between multiple wireless access points to optimize communications and facilitate seamless roaming for wireless clients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If wireless clients transition between access points using existing WLAN systems, then communication coverage is extended, but communication quality and efficiency are disrupted due to lack of seamless roaming capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the RIS device with reflecting element phases before the wireless client actually roams between access points. The source AP shares client information and RIS configuration with the target AP in advance, allowing the target AP to prepare the optimal RIS configuration ahead of time, ensuring seamless roaming without communication quality disruption
Solution Approach 2:
The RIS device acts as an intermediary between the wireless client and access points during roaming transitions. By dynamically adjusting the phase of reflecting elements in the RIS device, the system creates an optimized signal path that maintains communication quality as the client moves between APs, effectively mediating the handover process
2Reliability
If multiple wireless access points utilize RIS devices simultaneously, then communication optimization is improved, but device coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the RIS device control by assigning dedicated time slices to different access points. Each AP receives specific time intervals to utilize the RIS device for communicating with its associated wireless clients, eliminating conflicts and simplifying coordination while maintaining communication optimization benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic time-sliced allocation where the RIS device alternates between serving different access points in predetermined time intervals. This periodic structure simplifies the coordination mechanism by creating a predictable, repeating pattern that reduces the complexity of managing multiple APs sharing the RIS resource
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances communication quality and efficiency by dynamically adjusting the phase of reflecting elements to maintain optimal signal transmission as clients move between access points, ensuring continuous and high-quality wireless connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
An RIS device typically utilizes low-cost, passive phase shifting reflecting elements that allow the RIS device to reflect electromagnetic energy/waves through phase adjustments of the reflecting elements in order to direct the electromagnetic energy/waves in a particular direction
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are techniques through which coordinated steering of a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) device can be utilized according to prioritized time-slices determined for each of multiple wireless access points (APs) for a wireless local area network (WLAN). Coordinated steering of an RIS device by multiple wireless APs according to prioritized time-slices may facilitate seamless roaming for wireless clients between the wireless APs for the WLAN.