Simultaneous Probe Request Transmission for Multi-Channel Scan Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for access point discovery in multiple channels are inefficient as they require waiting for a response to a probe request before transmitting another, leading to increased time consumption for completing active scans across multiple channels.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes circuitry to transmit multiple probe requests simultaneously across different channels while also listening for responses to earlier probe requests, exploiting the dwell time of a probe request to transmit subsequent requests without waiting for initial responses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system waits for a response to a probe request before transmitting another probe request, then the system can reliably detect access points, but the time required to complete active scans across multiple channels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess point detection reliabilityVSAvoidtime consumption for active scans

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits probe requests on multiple channels in advance without waiting for responses from previous channels. This preliminary action of sending multiple probe requests simultaneously allows the scanning process to overlap time periods, reducing total scan time while maintaining the ability to detect all access points across channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of pausing to wait for responses between probe requests, the system maintains continuous transmission of probe requests across multiple channels. This continuous action eliminates idle waiting time and keeps the scanning process flowing without interruption, thereby reducing overall time consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Loss of time

If the system transmits probe requests simultaneously across multiple channels, then the time required for active scans is reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime required for active scansVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the scanning process into separate channel-specific probe request transmissions that can occur simultaneously. By segmenting the overall scan into independent channel operations, the system can execute multiple transmissions in parallel without requiring complex coordination between channels, thus managing system complexity while reducing scan time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the system transmits multiple probe requests while listening for responses to earlier requests, then productivity is improved, but the risk of missing or conflicting responses increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess point discovery efficiencyVSAvoidresponse detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms to monitor and distinguish responses from different channels. By maintaining feedback loops for each channel's probe requests and responses, the system can reliably identify and process responses even when multiple probe requests are transmitted simultaneously, thus maintaining response detection accuracy while improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250159582A1Active scans with simultaneous transmissions

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

A circuitry can transmit a first probe request to discover a first access point of a first channel. The circuitry can also transmit one or more additional probe requests to discover one or more other access points of one or more other channels. The circuitry can also, responsive to transmission of the one or more additional probe requests, check for the response to the first probe request on the first channel. The circuitry can also receive the response to the first probe request. The response can identify the first access point.