Transport Mode Selection for Multi-Access Point Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication standards, such as Wi-Fi 8, do not provide clear guidelines for selecting between wired and wireless transport options for Multi-Access Point Coordination (MAPC) in various network configurations, leading to inefficiencies in multi-AP coordination.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method where network devices within a coordination group (CG) estimate both wired and wireless paths, calculate transit times, and select an appropriate transport mode based on the MAPC mode in use, ensuring optimal performance and reliability for multi-AP coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired transport paths are used for MAPC coordination, then reliability and transit time performance improve, but device complexity and deployment flexibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transport mode selection where APs can switch between wired and wireless transport paths based on real-time network conditions, MAPC mode requirements, and path availability. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for reliability when wired paths are available while maintaining flexibility to use wireless paths when needed, resolving the contradiction between reliability and deployment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables APs to function in multiple transport roles (wired endpoint, wired relay, wireless endpoint) and support multiple MAPC modes (C-TDMA, C-SR, etc.) through a unified transport selection framework. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware infrastructure to adapt to different transport requirements without requiring dedicated wired infrastructure for each scenario, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If wireless transport paths are used for MAPC coordination, then deployment flexibility and ease of operation improve, but transit time and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically evaluates transit time for both wired and wireless paths and selects the optimal transport mode based on real-time conditions. When wireless transport is used for deployment flexibility, the system can switch to wired transport when low transit time is critical, or optimize wireless parameter configurations to minimize transit time losses while maintaining ease of deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transport selection mechanism that acts as an intermediary between deployment flexibility requirements and transit time performance. This mechanism evaluates path characteristics, MAPC mode requirements, and network conditions to mediate the selection between wired and wireless transport, ensuring that wireless transport is used when flexibility is prioritized while mitigating transit time penalties through intelligent path selection and parameter optimization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transport mode selection is left undefined in standards, then adaptability to different network configurations improves, but coordination efficiency and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic transport mode selection process where APs evaluate multiple factors including MAPC mode requirements (C-TDMA, C-SR, etc.), path characteristics (wired/wireless, transit time, reliability), and network conditions to select the optimal transport mode. This dynamic adaptation maintains versatility across different network configurations while improving coordination efficiency through informed, context-aware transport selection rather than arbitrary or static choices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where APs exchange information about transport path characteristics, transit times, and coordination performance. This feedback enables continuous optimization of transport mode selection, allowing the network to adapt to different configurations while learning from past performance to improve coordination efficiency. The feedback loop ensures that transport decisions are based on actual network conditions rather than theoretical assumptions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides techniques for transport mode selection based on MAPC deployment. A network device receives information from one or more other network devices within a CG, where the CG is configured to operate using a MAPC mode, and the information indicates a support of acting as a transport node over wired connections and a MAPC transport role within the CG for each of the other network devices. The network device estimates a wired path between the network device and at least one of the other network device, and determines transit times required for communication over the wired paths and transit times required for communication over wireless paths. Considering the transit times for the wired and wireless paths and the MAPC mode, the network device selects a transport mode, communicates the transport mode to the other network devices, and performs a network coordination operation using the transport mode.