Portable Terminal IP Address Reuse During Access Point Roaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable terminals experience wireless communication disconnection and increased power consumption due to the time and energy required for IP address assignment when moving between access points with different basic service sets.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a wireless communication unit and controller to determine if access points are connected to the same DHCP server, allowing for the reuse of existing IP addresses or requesting lease extensions through DHCP, and modifying the network list accordingly to minimize disconnections and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the portable terminal requests assignment of a new IP address when moving between access points with different basic service sets, then the wireless communication can be reestablished with the new access point, but the time consumption for IP address assignment causes wireless communication disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal performs preliminary actions by requesting IP address lease term extension before actually moving to a new access point. The terminal sends a DHCP extension request to the current DHCP server in advance, so when the terminal moves and needs to reestablish communication, the IP address is already reserved and ready, eliminating the disconnection that would normally occur during IP address reassignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention maintains continuous useful action by keeping the IP address lease valid through extension requests. Instead of allowing the lease to expire and requiring a complete new IP address assignment (which causes disconnection), the system continuously extends the lease term, ensuring uninterrupted network access and maintaining seamless wireless communication across access point transitions.
2Reliability
If the portable terminal sends and receives messages for assigning the IP address when moving between access points, then the wireless communication can be reestablished, but the power consumption of the portable terminal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and separates the IP address assignment process from the access point transition process. By decoupling these operations, the terminal can maintain its IP address and lease term independently of which access point it is connected to. This eliminates the need to send and receive complete IP assignment messages during every access point transition, significantly reducing power consumption while still ensuring reliable communication reestablishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal performs self-service by proactively managing its own IP address lease term through extension requests. Instead of relying on the network infrastructure to reassign IP addresses during access point transitions (which requires extensive messaging), the terminal autonomously extends its own lease, reducing the communication overhead and power consumption associated with IP address management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the portable terminal uses a new IP address after moving between access points, then the wireless communication with the new access point is established, but the complexity of IP address management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the IP address universal across different access points by maintaining the same IP address when moving between access points that are served by the same DHCP server. The terminal roams between access points while keeping a single, consistent IP address, eliminating the need to manage multiple different IP addresses for different locations. This simplifies IP address management while maintaining full adaptability to roam between access points.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for providing a wireless communication in a portable terminal includes a wireless communication unit and a controller which verifies basic service set identifications (BSSIDs) of access points when roaming between access points is completed, verifies whether an internet protocol (IP) address is assigned based on a wireless communication network list and the verified BSSIDs, and performs a wireless communication by using an IP address which is in use according to a verification result, wherein the wireless communication network list is a list which classifies a plurality of access points according to the same dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) by using BSSIDs of the plurality of access points connected to the portable terminal.