Wireless Client Band Hopping with NAV Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face interruptions and power consumption issues due to Access Points (APs) dynamically switching channels, which prevents clients from entering sleep mode and reduces efficiency, as the duration of AP vacations is unknown, leading to continuous readiness for frame reception.
Innovation Solution
Implementing band hopping methods where APs send hop indications to clients, allowing them to switch channels and reset Network Allocation Vectors (NAV) accordingly, enabling scheduled or unscheduled channel changes while maintaining continuous service and power conservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the AP sets a NAV to postpone uplink transmissions during channel switching, then service interruption on the current channel is prevented, but no service is available on that channel during the NAV period
Solution Approach 1:
The AP sends a hop indication frame to clients before actually hopping to a new channel. This preliminary notification allows clients to prepare for the channel switch by resetting their NAV and tuning to the new channel, ensuring seamless service continuity while allowing the current channel to be released for other uses after the indication is sent.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the AP temporarily vacates the channel to perform tasks, then the channel can be cleared for other reasons, but clients cannot enter sleep mode as the vacation duration is unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The AP sends a hop indication frame before vacating the channel, providing clients with advance notice of the upcoming channel switch. This allows clients to enter sleep mode on the current channel knowing that service will resume on a new channel at a predictable time, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining channel flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The hop indication frame acts as an intermediary mechanism between the AP and clients during channel switching. It carries information about the upcoming channel change, allowing clients to coordinate their behavior (including power saving) with the AP's channel hopping schedule without requiring continuous monitoring.
3Reliability
If the AP sends hop indications to clients, then clients can follow the AP during channel switches maintaining continuous service, but device complexity increases due to NAV management
Solution Approach 1:
Upon receiving a hop indication frame, clients autonomously reset their own NAV and tune to the new channel without requiring additional control frames from the AP. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex coordinated NAV management between AP and clients, while still ensuring seamless channel switching.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for band hopping and power conservation in a wireless network are described. At least one embodiment is directed a method of hopping channels by a device within a wireless network. The method comprises hopping from a first channel to a target channel, resetting a virtual carrier sense after hopping to the target channel to enable service on the target channel, waiting for a pre-determined period of time, and setting a virtual carrier sense on the target channel after expiration of the pre-determined period of time and prior to hopping to a next target channel.