Wireless Handoff TBTT Acquisition via Intermediary Access Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining target beacon transmission time (TBTT) and beacon interval in wireless networks are inefficient, particularly when access points are hidden due to infrastructure interference, and do not account for clock drifting, leading to inaccurate information during handoff processes.
Innovation Solution
A method where a client in a wireless network proactively requests and receives TBTT and beacon interval information from a target access point through pre-authentication frames, allowing for efficient scheduling and reduced handoff time, even when access points are hidden or subject to clock drifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the client scans beacon frames of each adjacent access point separately to determine TBTT and beacon interval, then the client can obtain TBTT information, but the method fails when access points are hidden due to infrastructure interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the current access point acts as a mediator to provide TBTT information of target access points to the client. This eliminates the need for the client to directly scan hidden access points, as the current access point relays the required information through authentication frames during the handoff process.
2Ease of operation
If the client uses IEEE 802.11k neighbor maps to learn TBTT and beacon interval, then the information is readily available, but clock drifting causes the TBTTs and beacon intervals to change making the information outdated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the client proactively request and obtain up-to-date TBTT information from the target access point through the current access point during the authentication phase, before the actual handoff occurs. This ensures the information is current and accounts for any clock drifting that may have occurred since the neighbor map was created.
3Reliability
If the client performs scanning and authentication sequentially, then the authentication can be completed, but the handoff time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the scanning and authentication processes by integrating TBTT information acquisition into the authentication frame exchange. The client obtains necessary scanning information (TBTT, beacon interval) as a byproduct of the authentication negotiation with the target access point, eliminating the need for separate scanning phases and reducing overall handoff time.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for managing information in a wireless network. The information can be utilized during handoff of a client from an access point to an access point. The method includes a first frame being generated and transmitted by the client to the access point through the access point. The frame includes a request for the information, wherein the information includes at least a target beacon transmission time (TBTT) of the access point. The method also includes the client receiving a second frame containing the information from the access point through the access point.