Standardized Hardware Control Interface for 802.11 Adapters

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development of hardware-specific drivers for each type of IEEE 802.11 network adapter is costly and time-consuming, and previous interfaces often fail to perform adequately at required speeds, leading to driver crashes and increased complexity in wireless communication.

Innovation Solution

A standardized hardware control interface for IEEE 802.11 network adapters that includes core interface components such as transmission control, transmission status, reception control, and channel switching, allowing for unified communication across various adapters and simplifying driver development.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hardware-specific driver is developed for each type of network adapter, then the driver can be optimized for that specific adapter, but the development cost and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver optimizationVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a standardized hardware control interface that can work with multiple different types of 802.11 network adapters. Instead of developing separate drivers for each adapter type, the interface provides a universal control mechanism that abstracts the hardware differences, allowing a single driver to control various adapter types through the standardized interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a hardware-specific driver is developed for each type of network adapter, then the driver can be optimized for that specific adapter, but the development cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver optimizationVSAvoiddevelopment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized hardware control interface enables a single driver to control multiple adapter types, eliminating the need to develop and maintain separate drivers for each adapter type. This reduces development costs by consolidating effort into one universal driver that interfaces with the standardized control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized hardware control interface acts as an intermediary layer between the software driver and the network adapter hardware. This intermediary abstracts the hardware-specific details, allowing the driver to communicate with adapters through a common interface without needing to know the specific hardware implementation details of each adapter type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If previous interfaces are used for network adapter control, then existing compatibility is maintained, but the interfaces fail to perform adequately at required speeds causing driver crashes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface compatibilityVSAvoiddriver stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized hardware control interface is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, capable of adjusting to different operating conditions and speed requirements. The interface incorporates mechanisms that can dynamically adjust control parameters and data transfer methods based on the operational context, allowing it to maintain reliability across varying performance requirements while preserving compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple driver versions are created for different network adapters, then each adapter type can be supported, but the complexity of the software system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadapter supportVSAvoidsoftware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized hardware control interface provides a universal control mechanism that can work with multiple different types of 802.11 network adapters. This universality eliminates the need for multiple driver versions, as a single driver can interface with all adapter types through the standardized control interface, thereby reducing software complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into two distinct layers: the standardized hardware control interface layer that handles adapter-specific control, and the software driver layer that provides high-level functionality. This segmentation separates the complexity of hardware-specific control from the driver development, allowing drivers to remain simpler while still supporting multiple adapter types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8819294B2Hardware control interface for IEEE standard 802.11 including transmission control interface component

Publication Date: 2014.08.26 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A standardized 802.11 hardware control interface may be provided such that a driver may communicate with any one or more of a variety of network adapters.