Wi-Fi Discovery Channel Segmentation for Latency Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Next generation Wi-Fi systems operating in the 6 GHz band face inefficiencies due to the large number of channels, leading to increased system latency and power consumption during scanning, which can impact user experience and fail to meet quality of service requirements for applications like virtual reality and industrial IoT.

Innovation Solution

Designating a subset of channels as discovery channels for device association, allowing access points and stations to transmit discovery information and associate based on these channels, reducing unnecessary scanning and optimizing channel usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a STA scans all available channels in the 6 GHz band to discover and connect to an AP, then complete channel coverage is achieved, but system latency and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel discovery completenessVSAvoidscanning latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the 64 available channels in the 6 GHz band into a smaller subset of discovery channels (e.g., 8 channels). STAs only need to scan these segmented discovery channels to discover APs, rather than scanning all 64 channels. This segmentation maintains reliable channel discovery within the segmented subset while dramatically reducing scanning time and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a STA scans all available channels in the 6 GHz band to discover and connect to an AP, then complete channel coverage is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel discovery completenessVSAvoidSTA power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If all channels are used for discovery signaling, then complete discovery coverage is achieved, but channel pollution and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscovery signaling coverageVSAvoidchannel pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the 64 available channels in the 6 GHz band into a smaller subset of discovery channels (e.g., 8 channels). By concentrating discovery signaling only on these segmented discovery channels rather than spreading it across all channels, the patent achieves reliable discovery coverage while minimizing channel pollution and interference on the remaining non-discovery channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11057826B2Scanning enhancements for next generation Wi-Fi channels

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. Generally, the described techniques provide that an access point (AP) or a station (STA) may identify, from a set of channels in a radio frequency spectrum band, a subset of discovery channels. The discovery channels may be designated for discovery signaling for device association. An AP may transmit discovery information for associating with a STA over a discovery channel from the subset of discovery channels. In some examples, the AP may receive a probe request from a STA operating in an active scanning mode, and may transmit the discovery information in a probe response. In some examples, the AP may transmit the discovery information in a periodic signal, such as a beacon, to a STA operating in a passive scanning mode. The AP may receive an association request and associate with the STA.