Wireless Access Point Neighbor Information Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard, the process of scanning for available access points (APs) is lengthy, especially in densely deployed areas, due to the need to scan multiple channels, leading to unnecessary delays and overhead, as existing methods require exhaustive scanning of all potential APs before selecting a suitable one for association.
Innovation Solution
A method for conveying compact information about neighbor APs, allowing stations to receive and utilize difference information between operating and non-operating APs, reducing the need for exhaustive scanning by transmitting this information in frames, such as Beacon, Probe Response, or Measurement Pilot frames, which includes parameters like load, access delay, and admission capacity, enabling faster association and reduced scanning time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a STA performs exhaustive scanning of all channels to identify available APs, then the STA can find all potential networks, but the scanning time becomes excessively long especially in densely deployed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having APs pre-compute and advertise neighbor AP information in advance. Instead of requiring STAs to scan all channels exhaustively, the serving AP provides pre-collected neighbor information that includes channels where other APs are operating. This allows STAs to skip scanning channels known to have APs, significantly reducing scanning time while maintaining complete network discovery capability.
2Reliability
If a STA scans multiple channels to find available APs, then the STA can identify all potential networks, but the overhead and complexity of the scanning process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the serving AP as an intermediary that collects neighbor AP information and provides it to STAs. Instead of STAs directly scanning all channels themselves, the serving AP acts as a mediator that has already performed the scanning work and compiled neighbor information. This reduces the scanning complexity for STAs while maintaining accurate network identification through the intermediary's pre-collected data.
3Productivity
If APs operate on different channels to distribute traffic, then network capacity increases, but STAs must scan more channels to find available APs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the serving AP pre-collect and advertise information about neighbor APs operating on different channels. When STAs connect to a serving AP, they receive pre-computed neighbor information that includes channels where other APs are operating. This allows STAs to efficiently jump to specific channels rather than scanning all channels sequentially, maintaining high network capacity through multi-channel operation while reducing scanning time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for one of a plurality access points (APs) of a wireless communication system to convey neighbor information to a station is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a compact information of at least one neighbor AP; wherein the compact information is transmitted in a frame and the compact information is used for scanning.