Virtual Wi-Fi Access Point Beacon Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Wi-Fi networks using LVAPs experience slower association times compared to traditional networks, leading to increased radio congestion and latency due to the continuous transmission of beacon signals by physical access points, especially when multiple LVAPs are mapped to a single physical access point.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where physical Wi-Fi access points assigned to virtual access points (LVAPs) transmit beacon signals with unique BSSID identifiers, which stop after association, and synchronize these transmissions to mimic the behavior of a single physical access point, thereby reducing the overall number of beacon signals and maintaining efficient association speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If physical access points continuously transmit beacon signals for multiple LVAPs, then Wi-Fi coverage is enhanced, but radio congestion increases and association speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic beacon transmission where physical access points transmit beacon signals for a specific LVAP only during designated time intervals when that LVAP is active for association. When an LVAP is not currently being associated with stations, its beacon transmission is temporarily suspended. This periodic activation pattern maintains comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage across all LVAPs while ensuring that at any given moment, the number of active beacon transmissions is limited, thereby preventing radio congestion and maintaining fast association speeds.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical access points transmit beacon signals for multiple LVAPs simultaneously, then network availability improves, but radio congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beacon transmission management where the set of active LVAPs transmitting beacons changes over time based on association needs. The system dynamically activates and deactivates beacon transmissions for different LVAPs in a coordinated manner, ensuring that network availability is maintained through sequential access while preventing radio congestion by limiting the number of simultaneous beacon transmissions. This dynamic approach allows the network to adapt to varying association demands without generating harmful radio interference.
3Area of stationary object
If beacon transmission continues after station association, then coverage is maintained, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic beacon transmission where physical access points transmit beacon signals for a specific LVAP only during designated time intervals when that LVAP is active for association. When an LVAP is not currently being associated with stations, its beacon transmission is temporarily suspended. This periodic activation pattern maintains comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage across all LVAPs while ensuring that at any given moment, the number of active beacon transmissions is limited, thereby preventing radio congestion and maintaining fast association speeds.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes the following steps implemented by a physical Wi-Fi access point to which a first virtual Wi-Fi access point identified by a first BSSID identifier is assigned: receiving a message including the first BSSID identifier; repeated transmission of beacon messages including the first BSSID identifier; associating a Wi-Fi station with the physical Wi-Fi access point based on the first BSSID identifier; and stopping the repeated transmission of the beacon messages comprising the first BSSID identifier.