Service Type Element for Wireless Network Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless local area network standards, such as 802.11ah, lack the ability to subcategorize service types beyond indicating whether a service is a sensor or offloading service, leading to inefficient network resource allocation and management due to differing characteristics and requirements of various services.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a service type element in association request and response frames between a station (STA) and an access point (AP) to indicate specific sensor, offloading, or hybrid service types, allowing for subcategorization and optimized network resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a service type is indicated in the SIG field using one bit, then the service type can be indicated, but subcategorization cannot be further performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice type subcategorization capabilityVSAvoidservice type detail information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The service type indication is segmented into multiple fields: the original SIG field retains its one-bit service type indication, while a new service type subcategory field is added in the data portion of the frame. This segmentation allows both the broad service type classification and detailed subcategory identification to coexist without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between maintaining backward compatibility and enabling subcategorization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution adds another dimension to service type indication by introducing a subcategory field in the data portion of the frame. Instead of trying to fit all service type details into the single-bit SIG field, the indication is extended to a second dimension (the data portion), allowing comprehensive service type specification while preserving the original SIG field structure for backward compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If different service types are not subcategorized, then the network structure remains simple, but network resource allocation and management become inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidservice type indication structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service type subcategory is indicated in advance during the data transmission process through the service type subcategory field. This preliminary indication allows the receiver to understand the specific service requirements before processing the data, enabling efficient resource allocation and management without requiring complex post-processing or additional signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If the SIG field is used to indicate service type, then indication is achieved, but information overhead is increased without enabling subcategorization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice type information completenessVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service type information is segmented into two parts: the basic service type indication remains in the SIG field (maintaining original frame structure), while the subcategory information is placed in the data portion. This segmentation provides complete service type information without requiring modification of the SIG field structure, thus avoiding increased frame structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3294008B1Method for establishing association between station and access point, and device
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3294008B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3294008B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3294008B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for establishing an association between a STA and an AP, and the method includes: sending, by the STA, an association request frame to the AP, where the association request frame includes a service type element, and the service type element is used for indicating a sensor service type, an offloading service type, or a hybrid service type to which the STA belongs, where the sensor service type includes a first sensor service or a second sensor service, and the offloading service type includes a first offloading service or a second offloading service; and receiving, by the STA, an association response frame sent by the AP, where the association response frame is generated by the AP after determining, according to the service type element, a service type to which the STA belongs.