Wi-Fi Communication Processor Scheduling NAN and Wi-Fi Direct
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current Wi-Fi chipsets have limited capabilities for concurrent operation of Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) with other Wi-Fi-based communication schemes, particularly Wi-Fi Direct and STA mode, leading to performance deterioration and restricted support for multiple communication schemes.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device and method that include a communication processor to manage and control the concurrent operation of multiple Wi-Fi communication schemes by identifying the state of the NAN-based communication scheme, obtaining NAN cluster information, adjusting the group owner intent, and scheduling time periods for different communication schemes to operate on the same or different channels, ensuring efficient signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Wi-Fi chipsets support concurrent operation of multiple Wi-Fi-based communication schemes (NAN, Wi-Fi Direct, STA mode), then communication versatility is improved, but performance deterioration occurs due to resource conflicts and channel interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operation time of different communication schemes by introducing discovery windows (DW) and service windows (SW). NAN operations are confined to specific DW periods, while Wi-Fi Direct and STA mode operations are scheduled in SW periods or non-DW periods. This temporal segmentation prevents resource conflicts and channel interference between concurrent communication schemes, thereby maintaining communication performance while supporting multiple schemes simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic scheduling where the communication processor adjusts operation periods based on the states of different communication schemes. When NAN is active, Wi-Fi Direct and STA mode are scheduled in non-DW periods; when NAN is inactive, other schemes can operate more flexibly. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize resource allocation in real-time, preventing performance deterioration while maintaining versatility
2Use of energy by moving object
If NAN-based communication scheme operates actively, then low-power discovery capability is improved, but concurrent support for other Wi-Fi schemes becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic discovery windows (DW) for NAN operations, where NAN is active only during specific periodic intervals rather than continuously. During DW periods, NAN performs low-power discovery; during non-DW periods (service windows), other Wi-Fi schemes like Wi-Fi Direct and STA mode can operate. This periodic action allows NAN to maintain its energy-efficient discovery capability while enabling concurrent support for other schemes at different time intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to resolve the conflict between NAN and other Wi-Fi schemes. By organizing operations in time-based windows (DW and SW) rather than attempting simultaneous operation, the system enables NAN to function periodically for low-power discovery while allocating other time dimensions for concurrent Wi-Fi scheme operations, thus achieving both energy efficiency and versatility
3Device complexity
If multiple communication schemes operate on the same channel simultaneously, then device complexity is reduced, but channel conflicts cause performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments channel usage by communication scheme and time period. NAN uses specific channels during discovery windows, while Wi-Fi Direct and STA mode use channels during service windows or non-DW periods. This segmentation prevents channel conflicts even when multiple schemes operate, maintaining communication performance without requiring complex dynamic channel switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary scheduling mechanism (the communication processor and window structure) that mediates channel usage between different communication schemes. The discovery window and service window framework acts as an intermediary layer that coordinates channel allocation, preventing direct conflicts while allowing multiple schemes to utilize the same physical medium without performance deterioration
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes: a transceiver; and a communication processor operatively connected with the transceiver. The communication processor is configured to: identify an active state or an inactive state of a neighbor awareness networking (NAN)-based first communication scheme; obtain NAN cluster information; increase a group owner (GO) intent in a Wi-Fi direct-based second communication scheme; determine that the electronic device is a group owner of the Wi-Fi direct-based second communication scheme, and divide a time period into at least one first period and at least one second period; obtain schedule information indicating that one communication scheme operates in the at least one first period and the other communication scheme operates in the at least one second period; and control the transceiver to transmit a signal based on the schedule information. The one communication scheme uses a same channel with the NAN-based first communication scheme and the other communication scheme uses a different channel.