Virtual AP BSSID Segmentation for MU Frame Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing multiple basic service sets (BSSs) across virtual access points (APs), leading to complexities in frame transmission and reception, particularly in multi-user (MU) scenarios where client stations associate with multiple virtual APs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method where an access point (AP) device determines a set of basic service set identifiers (BSSIDs) with shared most significant bits (MSBs) and unique least significant bits (LSBs), assigns these BSSIDs to multiple virtual APs, designates a reference BSSID, and generates management frames with specific fields to indicate the reference BSSID, facilitating frame transmission and reception across multiple virtual APs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple BSSIDs are used for multiple virtual APs, then network versatility and client association capability are improved, but frame transmission complexity and identification difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The BSSID is segmented into two parts: the first 24 bits (shared among all virtual APs) and the last 24 bits (unique to each virtual AP). This segmentation allows the system to support multiple virtual APs while simplifying frame transmission by using only the unique portion for identification in multi-user scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the unique identification portion (last 24 bits) of the BSSID and uses it separately in the management frame's transmitter address field and information element. This extraction eliminates the need to transmit the full 48-bit BSSID repeatedly, reducing frame complexity while maintaining the ability to identify multiple virtual APs.
2Measurement precision
If full BSSID is transmitted in every frame, then identification accuracy is improved, but transmission overhead and network efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of copying the full BSSID in every frame, the patent uses a shortened version (last 24 bits) as a reference identifier. The complete BSSID information is reconstructed by combining the shared first 24 bits with the transmitted unique portion, reducing overhead while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transmits only the necessary partial information (last 24 bits of BSSID) in management frames, which is sufficient for identification when combined with the shared prefix. This partial action approach reduces transmission overhead while achieving the required identification precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate TA fields are used for each virtual AP, then frame routing accuracy is improved, but frame structure complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter address field is designed to serve multiple functions: it can represent a specific virtual AP's BSSID when needed, or serve as a reference to a group of virtual APs sharing the same first 24 bits. This multi-functionality maintains routing accuracy while reducing the need for separate addressing mechanisms for each virtual AP.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the transmitter address field acts as a reference pointer rather than a complete address. The actual BSSID is derived by combining this reference with the shared prefix information, simplifying the frame structure while maintaining accurate frame routing to the appropriate virtual AP.
Data Source
AI summary
An access point (AP) device determines a set of basic service set identifiers (BSSIDs). Each BSSID includes a same group of most significant bits (MSBs) and a different group of n least significant bits (LSBs). The AP device assigns respective BSSIDs from the set of BSSIDs to multiple virtual APs, and designates one of the assigned BSSIDs as a reference BSSID that corresponds to a transmitter address (TA) for frames intended for client stations associated with more than one virtual AP. The AP device generates and transmits a management frame that includes i) a header with a TA field set to one of the assigned BSSIDs, and ii) a frame body with a plurality of fields that includes a) a first field set to n, and b) a second field set to the n LSBs of the reference BSSID. The TA field, the first field, and the second field in the management frame indicate the reference BSSID to a client station that receives the management frame.