Wireless Controller Channel Contention Virtual Access Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-density wireless network deployments, existing technologies face challenges in optimizing system efficiency due to the high number of devices competing for the wireless medium, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and potential collisions, particularly in hotspot and cellular offloading scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a High Efficiency Wireless (HEW) network architecture that includes a master station capable of scheduling transmission opportunities using non-contention based multiple access techniques, supporting virtual access points and stations, and employing coordination functions to manage channel contention and collisions, thereby optimizing resource allocation and reducing transmission conflicts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-contention based multiple access techniques are used for scheduling, then system efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A controller device is introduced as an intermediary between virtual access points and virtual stations to coordinate transmissions. The controller receives transmission requests, determines collision-free time slots, and schedules transmissions to avoid collisions, thereby enabling efficient non-contention based access while centralizing the complexity in a dedicated coordination function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional contention-based mechanical access mechanisms (where devices randomly contend for channel access) with a scheduled coordination system. The controller substitutes the random back-off mechanism with deterministic time slot allocation, replacing the stochastic access process with a structured scheduling approach that eliminates collisions
2Reliability
If coordination functions are implemented to manage channel contention, then transmission collisions are reduced, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller device performs preliminary coordination by determining collision-free transmission time slots before actual data transmission occurs. Virtual access points and stations submit their intended transmission times to the controller, which proactively schedules them to avoid collisions, preventing transmission conflicts before they happen rather than reacting to collisions after they occur
Solution Approach 2:
The coordination function implements partial scheduling by focusing only on transmissions that require collision avoidance, rather than controlling all communications. The controller selectively manages channel access for virtual devices participating in the coordinated system, allowing unscheduled transmissions to proceed independently, thereby reducing overall overhead while maintaining reliability for critical transmissions
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a controller device and method for channel contention in a wireless network are generally described herein. The controller device may determine if a collision would occur for expected signal transmissions of a group of virtual devices, which may include one or more virtual access points (VAPs) and/or virtual stations (VSTAs). The determination of the collision may be based on transmission times and/or back-off intervals of the virtual devices. The controller device may transmit collision control messages to indicate whether colliding virtual devices are to delay signal transmissions. The VAPs may be configured to communicate with the VSTAs as access point (AP) instantiations. The VAPs may be configured to use different service set identifiers (SSIDs) and/or media access control (MAC) addresses in such communication.