White Space Map Element for Channel Availability in WLAN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current WLAN systems face inefficiencies in transmitting White Space Map information, particularly in TV White Spaces, which increases scanning time and power consumption for unlicensed devices seeking available channels, and lacks a standardized format for channel availability across different device types.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for transmitting a White Space Map (WSM) element in a WLAN system, including a beacon frame, probe response frame, or white space map announcement frame, with a device type field, channel number field, maximum transmission power level field, and channel bitmap, to efficiently convey available channels for unlicensed devices, tailored for specific device types and spectrum mask classes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If unlicensed devices perform spectrum sensing or access geo-location database to acquire available channel list, then channel availability information can be obtained, but scanning time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Access Point pre-acquires and stores White Space Map information containing available channel lists for different device types before unlicensed devices need to scan. This preliminary action eliminates the need for unlicensed devices to perform time-consuming spectrum sensing or database queries during their scanning process, directly reducing scanning time while maintaining complete channel availability information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a standardized WSM element as an intermediary information carrier that bridges the Access Point and unlicensed devices. This intermediary structure efficiently conveys pre-acquired white space map information about available channels, device type restrictions, and power levels, eliminating the need for unlicensed devices to independently perform spectrum sensing or access external databases.
2Loss of information
If unlicensed devices perform spectrum sensing to determine channel availability, then channel usage information can be acquired, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Access Point performs spectrum sensing and acquires channel usage information in advance, storing the results in the WSM element. This preliminary action eliminates the need for unlicensed devices to perform power-intensive spectrum sensing operations, directly reducing their power consumption while ensuring they receive complete and accurate channel availability information.
Solution Approach 2:
The WSM element serves as an intermediary that carries pre-acquired channel usage information from the Access Point to unlicensed devices. This intermediary mechanism transfers energy-efficient information about available channels, device type restrictions, and power levels without requiring unlicensed devices to perform energy-consuming spectrum sensing operations.
3Device complexity
If a unified white space map format is used for all device types, then information transmission is simplified, but device-specific channel availability cannot be accurately represented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the white space map information into device-type-specific components within the WSM element. Instead of using a single unified format, the system creates separate channel availability lists tailored to different device types (e.g., fixed devices, portable devices with different spectrum mask classes). This segmentation maintains format manageability while accurately representing device-specific channel restrictions and power levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The WSM element applies local quality by customizing channel availability information according to specific device types. The format includes device type identification fields and device-specific channel lists that adapt to the unique requirements of different device classes, ensuring accurate representation of local regulatory constraints and technical capabilities for each device type.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transmitting a White Space Map information in a wireless local area network system (WLAN) is disclosed. A method of transmitting a white space map information from a first station to a second station in a regulatory domain where a licensed device and an unlicensed device are permitted to operate together in a wireless local area network (WLAN) comprises transmitting, from the first station, one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame and a white space map announcement frame comprising a white space map (WSM) element comprising information for first available channels, which are available for the unlicensed device, to the second station, wherein the WSM element comprises a device type field indicating which device type the list of the fist available channels is for.