Wi-Fi Aware Beacon Scheduling for Stable Dual-Mode Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Wi-Fi Aware communication methods face inefficiencies due to the alternation of access point (AP) and aware periods, leading to potential connection loss and reduced communication efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method for allocating time resources for AP and Wi-Fi Aware communication based on the maximum AP beacon interval, ensuring efficient communication by minimizing connection loss through extended aware periods when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the wireless station alternates between AP period and aware period, then both AP communication and Wi-Fi Aware communication can be supported, but connection loss may occur and communication efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedual communication supportVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the aware period duration variable rather than fixed. The wireless station determines the aware period length based on the AP beacon interval, extending the aware period when the beacon interval is large and reducing it when the beacon interval is small. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different AP beacon configurations while maintaining reliable connections, resolving the contradiction between supporting dual communication modes and ensuring connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the aware period is extended to improve communication efficiency, then more data can be transmitted, but the risk of missing AP beacons increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission volumeVSAvoidbeacon reception reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the aware period duration based on the AP beacon interval parameter. The wireless station calculates the appropriate aware period length considering the beacon interval, ensuring that the extended aware period does not exceed limits that would cause beacon misses. This parameter-based control allows the system to maximize data transmission while maintaining reliable beacon reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the AP beacon interval is large, then fewer beacons are transmitted reducing overhead, but the aware period must be shorter to ensure beacon reception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeacon transmission overheadVSAvoidaware communication throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the aware period duration variable rather than fixed. The wireless station determines the aware period length based on the AP beacon interval, extending the aware period when the beacon interval is large and reducing it when the beacon interval is small. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different AP beacon configurations while maintaining reliable connections, resolving the contradiction between supporting dual communication modes and ensuring connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4708938A1Method and device for performing wi-fi aware communication
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4708938A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4708938A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4708938A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A first station for performing Wi-Fi aware communication, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, may receive at least one first beacon in a first access point (AP) period communicating with a first AP. Further, a wireless station may communicate with a second wireless station in a first aware period in which Wi-Fi aware communication is performed. According to one embodiment, the first AP period and the first aware period are determined by a maximum AP beacon interval (imax), and the maximum AP beacon interval (imax) may be determined by the larger of a first interval of the first beacon transmitted by the first AP and a second interval of a second beacon transmitted by a second AP connected with the second wireless station.