Wi‑Fi Multi-Link Beacon Control for AP Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
The issue of increased power consumption in access points supporting the IEEE 802.11be standard and the challenge of performing power saving operations without disrupting connections with Legacy STAs is addressed.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus that includes a mechanism to transmit Beacon frames with a first BSSID on one channel and not transmit Beacon frames with a second BSSID on another channel, allowing power saving operations while maintaining connectivity with both Multi-Link and Single-Link devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If power saving operations are performed by stopping power supply to Affiliated APs for a certain period, then power consumption is reduced, but connection issues occur with Legacy STAs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic power saving operations where Affiliated APs are activated and deactivated in cycles. During activation periods, the APs transmit Beacon frames and serve Legacy STAs; during deactivation periods, power supply is stopped to reduce consumption. This periodic operation allows the system to balance between power savings and maintaining connectivity for Legacy STAs that require continuous Beacon transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the operational state of Affiliated APs based on network conditions and STA types. The system can switch between different power saving modes and activation patterns, making the power supply state flexible rather than fixed. This dynamic adjustment allows optimization of power consumption while ensuring Legacy STAs can connect when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a plurality of Affiliated APs is always activated, then connectivity with both Multi-Link and Single-Link devices is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different operational qualities to different Affiliated APs and different time periods. Instead of uniformly activating all Affiliated APs continuously, the system selectively activates specific Affiliated APs based on the type of STAs that need to be served (Multi-Link vs. Legacy). This localized quality adjustment allows power savings while maintaining necessary device compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the Affiliated APs multi-functional by enabling them to serve different types of STAs (both Multi-Link and Legacy STAs) through configurable activation patterns. A single Affiliated AP can be activated to serve Legacy STAs while other Affiliated APs remain deactivated, or vice versa, providing universal service capability with optimized power consumption.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If Beacon frames with second BSSID are not transmitted on certain channels, then power consumption is reduced, but Legacy STAs may experience connection issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of Beacon frames containing the second BSSID on specific channels. Instead of continuous transmission that would consume excessive power, the system transmits these Beacons at periodic intervals during activation periods, allowing Legacy STAs to discover and connect to the network while consuming less power than continuous transmission would require.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary transmission of Beacon frames with the second BSSID during activation periods before Legacy STAs need to connect. By ensuring these Beacons are transmitted in advance during active periods, the system prepares the network visibility for Legacy STAs, allowing them to discover and connect to the network without requiring continuous Beacon transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication apparatus that provides an external apparatus with a network identified by a first BSSID and a network identified by a second BSSID is configured to, in a case where the communication apparatus uses a predetermined power saving mechanism and the communication apparatus functions as a Multi-Link Device, MLD, that performs Multi-Link communication with another communication apparatus, execute control to transmit a Beacon frame containing the first BSSID on a channel through which a first network is being provided. On the other hand, the communication apparatus is configured not to transmit a Beacon frame containing the second BSSID on a channel through which the communication apparatus is providing a second network.