WFDS MAC Layer Extension for Non-IP Service Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Wi-Fi Direct Services (WFDS) specifications are limited by requiring IP support, which is inefficient for high-data-rate devices and increases complexity and power consumption for low-complexity devices, and do not accommodate non-IP services like USB and HDMI, leading to interoperability and scalability issues.

Innovation Solution

Extending WFDS to operate directly over the MAC layer, using methods such as dynamic Ethertype allocation and a new Service type field to identify and route packets, enabling service isolation and scalability without relying on IP, and extending session definitions to include non-IP sessions for Layer 2 connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If WFDS requires IP support for all services, then service interoperability is standardized, but device complexity and power consumption increase for low-complexity devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice interoperabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments services into IP-based services and non-IP services, allowing each to operate independently with appropriate protocols. This enables low-complexity devices to use simple non-IP services while IP services maintain standardized interoperability, resolving the contradiction between standardization and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic session establishment that adapts to device capabilities. Devices can dynamically negotiate whether to use IP or non-IP sessions based on their complexity and service requirements, allowing the system to be both standardized and adaptable to different device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If WFDS requires IP support for all services, then service interoperability is standardized, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice interoperabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting services into IP-based and non-IP categories, the patent allows power-constrained devices to use lightweight non-IP services that consume less power, while still maintaining standardized interoperability for devices that require full IP functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of WFDS by introducing non-IP session modes alongside traditional IP sessions. This allows the system to adjust its power consumption characteristics based on service requirements and device capabilities, resolving the contradiction between standardized interoperability and power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If WFDS operates only over IP, then service routing is simplified, but high-data-rate services experience increased latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting complexityVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network path into MAC-layer direct connections for time-sensitive high-data-rate services and IP-layer routing for other services. This segmentation allows high-performance services to bypass IP processing overhead and achieve lower latency while maintaining simplified routing for other traffic types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If WFDS operates only over IP, then service management is standardized, but non-IP services like USB and HDMI cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice compatibilityVSAvoidprotocol requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes WFDS universal by enabling it to handle both IP-based services and non-IP services through a unified MAC-layer framework. This multi-functionality allows the system to accommodate diverse service types including USB, HDMI, and traditional IP services without requiring separate protocol stacks, resolving the contradiction between service compatibility and protocol complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2987307B1Techniques enabling use of a WI-FI direct services (WFDS) application services platform (ASP) for layer 2 services
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 INTEL CORP
  • EP2987307B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2987307B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2987307B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques are disclosed for using a WI-FI Direct Services (WFDS) Application Services Platform (ASP) for Layer 2 services, by extending a definition of a session in WFDS to include non-IP sessions as well. Techniques are further disclosed for operating an application services platform coordination protocol (ASP-CP) directly over a media access control (MAC) layer.